Story: There is a time that comes during every year where glades of green turn crystal clear. A time when silence fills the land and stars twinkle in the sky, lighting the path for all those left wandering through silent nights. It's a time of cold and the harshness of nature and yet it still carries the warmth and rejuvenation of meetings and greetings of those who we love. This is the true spirit of winter. A spirit which is often missed as everyone and everything goes about their days. They begin to lose track of the warmth and the light, forgetting it's meaning in the strife of their life. Not her. Never her. In a crowd that looks down and keeps moving, she is the one to stop and take a moment to appreciate all that has been laid before her. She's the one to see the stars for what they truly are. The light of our dreams shine on through the night and yet only she has the eyes to see the light. It's for this very reason that she's made a vow. Through the snow and the storm she will face the cold to show us the stars which twinkle with gold. She is a bringer of dreams and hopes, leading us all to awareness. She has made it her goal to guide our hearts to the sky where we can chase after our dreams and finally fly. This I'd who she is, as certain as the Winter is cool, and it all begins with a day long ago.
Finally, it was that time of year, the time of warm hearts, friendship, and cheer. Altaira's absolute favorite time of year to be exact. Rushing through the streets, her scarf billowed behind her as she made her way through the crowds. Excitement bubbled in her chest as she felt a joy that only came this time of the year. Halting abruptly, she looked up at her destination. "Willow!" She called out cheerfully as she pushed aside the tent flap leading to the fortune tellers residence. Glancing around the room, she was glad to see that her friend currently had no customers. Actually, there wasn't a single soul, tailmouth included. She tilted her head quizzically as she entered the room fully. "Willow? Whisper? Anybody home?" A large crash responded causing Altaira a fright. Rushing towards the sound, her tail lashed worriedly behind her. Entering through another flap she gasped at the mess of boxes and miscellaneous items littering the floor. Her gaze softened as it caught the somewhat flustered and embarrassed gaze of willow, while she could hear whisper's snickers in the background. She shook head before offering her hand which the fortune teller thankfully took. "are you all right, Willow?" she asked, a soft smile gracing her features. "I-I'm alright." She muttered, clumsily trying to settle her ruffled fur as the snickers only increased in volume. She rolled her eyes at the tail before turning back to willow, who was now much calmer and presentable. "I came to give you something." She said, offering her friend the piece of rolled up parchment that she had hidden somewhere. Surprise lit Willows face as she gingerly took it with a thankful nod, causing Altaira's smile to broaden. Anxiously she watched willow unroll it and read before seeing an almost panic settle in. "A-altaira! Th-This is T-Tonight!" Altaira nodded and said, "Yep! And you'd better be there! I know you aren't doing anything this afternoon." She rolled her eyes at the unnecessary fear and hesitance from the tail mouth. "Oh, come on Willow! It's not like there is going to be a crowd. It's just you and whisper, me, and Tobias. You can handle that, can't you?" The tailmouths muscles relaxed at that. Maybe, maybe she could come. Looking up at the other viscets face, she realized she never had a choice. Sighing in resignation, Willow nodded. "A-alright. M-maybe just f-for t-tonight." Altaira's face brightened as she rushed happily back out, lazy wave sent back as farewell. Smiling fondly at her friends excitement, Willow felt like it would all be worth it.
"We love you, Altaira!" "You're so amazing, Altaira!"
"Altaira." She could hear the people calling out to her, cheering her on as she pushed towards the finish line. One step more, another, she was so close... "Keep going Altaira! You're almost there!"
"Altaira!" Feeling a wave of determination, she pushed on. Stretching her legs, she pushed towards it. She could practically taste victory as she puffed out her chest, ready to break through that red ribbon that marked the end of the race. Three steps more and she would win the race. One step. Two steps. Three ste... "ALTAIRA!!!" and the third step had her tumbling down the stream bank and landing face first in the freezing water for a rude awakening. It took a moment to process the clear spring water soaking her to the bone but, when she did, she also managed to catch the sound of laughter trying to be hidden or stifled. Turning to the culprits, she frowned at the others but she couldn't hide how half her face tried to turn up. Tobias simply shook his head at her with amusement. "Sleep walking again, eh Al?" She snorted and rose in response, feeling the cold stream flow through her feet and water drip from her fur. Unwinding her scarf, she shivered as she twisted it, releasing all the water trapped inside before wrapping around her neck once more. "You look like a drowned rat." "Wh-Whisper!" "What?! It's true!" The tail cackled as Willow simply ducked her head in shame. "It's alright Willow. I do probably look a bit silly, but if you think it looks bad, wait till it dries," Altaira said with a snort. "I'll be poofier than a cotton ball in the summertime." The friends shared a quick laugh before Willow, Whisper,and Tobias watched Altaira expectantly and she blinked back playfully faking ignorance. "So, what'd you guys come here for?" Tobias and Willow gaped at her. "Don't tell me you forgot?!" The starry viscet simply grinned, "As if. What do you take me for, and elephant?" Confused, Willow spoke up. "U-um, Al-Ltair-ra. I-I thought that an u-um el-elephant n-never forgets?" "Wrong!" She said matter-of-factly. "An elephant simply can't remember what it forgot, therefore no one knows it was supposed to remember anything to begin with." Tobias nodded in slight agreement and understanding while Willow turned to Whisper to see the tail was just as clueless as she was. Seeing Willow's confused look, Tobias decided to return to the original topic. "So, Al. What was it you wanted to show us?" Energy seemed to suddenly spark from Altaira as she suddenly began to bounce with excitement. "Oh! Yeah! Come on! It's just over this way!" Speeding off into the undergrowth, Altaira left her friends behind as they struggled to catch up.
Bursting through the bushes, the three friends made their way to a clearing in the forest. A gasp broke from Willow as she took in the deep oranges and reds painting the sky as the sun dipped beneath the horizon. Tobias stood mouth agape at the sight. Even Whisper was silent. A sudden snap caught their attention as they turned back to Altaira who sat with a knowing grin on her face. "Pretty cool, right? Well buckle down, kiddies. You guys haven't seen nothing yet." She said, walking over and handing them each a cup of something warm. Willow gingerly took a sip of hot chocolate as Tobias gripped his cider appreciatively. Sipping from her own mug of hot tea, Altaira watched happily. A sudden wave of confusion and concern passed Tobias and he turned towards her curiously. "Altaira, what is all this about?" A blush of embarrassment crept up her neck as she ducked into her drying scarf to hide it. "W-well, I know with you wandering to help spirits, Willow and whispers fortune telling business, and me finding others to help them reach their dreams, we rarely get to see each other anymore. But you guys are my best friends and I just can't stand not ever seeing you again..." She broke off and scanned their faces for a reaction. She noted with some satisfaction that Willow was blushing almost as much as she was and Tobias still had that face of kind understanding which brought her to look up to him. Giving her a silent nod, he pushed her to keep going. "S-so I just decided that, w-we could start a new tradition!" Her voice built in confidence as she spoke. "Each year, when the cold weather starts settling, we can all gather here. I'll come from where ever I'm traveling and, if you can Tobias, you could too. And we would meet here since it's not too far from where Willow and Whisper stay. That way, at least once a year, we can all sit and catch up. It's like, a single day together where we can just stop. No worries about work," the tailmouth gave her friend a nervous smile, "or about restless spirits," Tobias seemed deep in thought. "It'd just be us and the sky. A group of friends enjoying each others company through a winters night." Altaira looked towards them almost anxiously, silently praying that they would agree. Surprisingly, Willow was the first to respond. "I-I d-don't see a p-problem with it." She stuttered, giving a friendly smile to Altaira, watching as she cuddled her plush to her chest with joy. Then, all eyes turned to Tobias, the final decider. He seemed hesitant at first. There was no telling where his travels would lead. He could be half around the world by this time next year, but... he couldn't say no to the hopeful look on his friends face. Smiling gently, his head fell and his eyes closed in defeat. "I make no promises but... I will try my absolute hardest to make it back here next year." Altaira suddenly shrieked with joy, jumping to quickly grab both her friends around the necks for an unexpected group hug as they tried to keep their drinks from spilling. "Thank you, thank you, oh thank you so much!" She chanted and the others simply smiled at her happiness. A quick gasp from Willow broke the moment and the other turned to her. The tail mouth simply lifted her finger to the sky, which had now turned dark with the rise of the moon. Stars twinkled up ahead, their light reflecting on the snow covered ground, casting the world into a twinkling wonderland never before seen by the eyes of another. The beauty was astounding and, as the group made their seats on the snowy drifts, the forest was silent.
A tradition born of appreciation and a bond forged in friendship, for years this gathering will continue. On the clearest day of the midwinter season, three friends gather beneath the heavens, warm drinks held in grips of ice. Three souls, so very different and yet so alike, unite under a starlit sky to show their gratitude to each other and to the earth they reside in. As years go on, there will be trials. The world will pull their bond in an effort to taint the innocence of a true friend. Lies and misunderstanding will plague these friends, but they will not give up, for when all seems lost they still have those memories. The reminder of a simple friend supporting them and pushing them through the trials ahead. The recognition of an ally who could turn against them at a seconds notice and yet will not because you know they can not forget either. The memory of warm drinks and warm fur gathered together on a sleeping land watching a glittering sky as if in a dream. Maybe it is. Perhaps all this is a dream. Maybe that's why they fight for it, why they struggle so hard to meet here the next year. Or maybe it's something simpler. After all, what determines if it's a dream or reality? Perhaps this reality is a dream? Could it be? No. This reality is not a dream. This is simply a dream that has become a reality. Altaira has done it again and this time it was her own dream that has come true.
Featuring: wrote:~Willow And Whisper~
~Tobias~
Owned By:Razors
Art by 
