Lambicorns // Festival of Dreams • Dreamland

[bakuraas.]

I'm berry picking!
Username: bakuraas.
Art/Writing: [1399 words]
[ feat. Iso ●, Pally●, and Minerva ●]
[ note. [ this color ] is for quotes from nai'a ]

Iso left early, taking a path up the mountain with Pally and a few other lambicorns that weren't too keep on scaling the mountain's rocks naturally like some of the others. For once, Pally stayed silent- which Iso understood, especially so after the morning before. Iso however, feeling like he had gotten his emotions out, was feeling ready to actually take the rest of the day into his own paws, and try to have as much fun as he could on the last day. He supposed that would really clear his head, and take away the tightening in his chest that he chalked up to nerves.

The group made their way above a large bit of snow, becoming witnesses to quite the strange sight to someone who was not... accustomed to the odd things surrounding Nai'a's tasks. Some of the others who had climbed their way up were already at the prancing huckleberry bushes, and chasing after the berries as they rolled around in the snow, evading the lambies with ease. Though the other two lambicorns in the group seemed a bit confused, Pally and Iso seemed to have a different idea. Iso laughed happily as he bolted off, Pally quickly following behind them as they began to chase the huckleberries down as well.

It wasn't gathering to Iso in that moment, it was more like a fun game as he chased the small berries around. It seemed that in a way the berries saw that as a game as well, some rolling and coming to a rest only after jumping into one of the baskets of the lambicorns around them. Iso of course got some into his basket as well, but it's not like he noticed much as all until the amount of berries really started to dwindle, and eventually he watched one of the last berries in this little patch of bushes roll into his basket. Iso laughed happily as he tried to catch his breath, sitting down and feeling the air in his throat.

Iso's eyes widened slightly as he realized...he could only feel the air in his throat. It didn't go to his lungs... almost as if it was stuck. The male paused, his body getting lower as he felt his body trying to get...whatever was blocking the air out of his throat. He felt Pally's paw pat on his back to try and help, hearing some sort of concerned voice that he assumed was Pally's, although he was unable to hear it. Almost suddenly, he felt the blockage leave his throat, coming out of his mouth as large clouds, a soft white with splashes of purples and pinks decorating the smoky clouds as they were released into the air.

Just as his hearing cleared up, he heard a loud screech and suddenly saw a figure in front of him. His vision began to clear as he felt hooves softly holding him, one going up so that the lambicorn's wrist could press against Iso's head. Iso looked over to the other lambicorn, a concerned, weak voice leaving him. "Dad? How did you get up here-" Before he could continue, he heard Pally's voice more clearly, hearing the concern and anxiety in his voice. "Mr.Minerva! Is something wrong, what's happening to him?!" Pally's voice was loud...it kind of hurt. "It'll be okay, Pally. Iso's just very sick. I knew this would happen... but I'll be honest I didn't think it would happen so soon. Thank goodness I got directions to this place from that tentacle-haired friend of your's. Either way, we need to get him home now."

"But, The huckleberries. We need to-" Pally began, only to be interrupted by Minerva's loud tone. "Forget the berries! The elder who asked you to get them is reason he's even sick in the first place! I'm sure Iso doesn't-" Just as Minerva was about to carry on, Iso weakly tugged at his dad's necklace, watching as the lambicorn moved his head down to look down at his son. "Dad... It's the last day... Please don't make me leave yet. I... I want to say goodbye to Nai'a..." Iso felt tears well up in his eyes, his vision blurring as they fell down his face. He didn't want to leave Nai'a...not like this, especially knowing that he would probably never see her again.

After all this time, running through the hills gathering stardust, learning about his family while getting the fairy feathers, the sense of heroism he felt after helping the Aurorae's Heart flowers. The glowmoss, the cave of eyes, the entire situation with Lambent, it all scared him and it made his world shatter but it was still much more than anything home could show him. The pearls, feathers, and spring water- all suspicions leading up to clean up traps laced with dream dust. The Daydream Primadonna, the Wetlands Wolpertingers, and now the berries. He couldn't just leave that all behind without saying goodbye. He couldn't just leave Nai'a without thanking her. His voice broke as he spoke, eyes now flooding with tears and sniffles leaving him every second. "Please Dad... at least let me say goodbye..."

Iso couldn't see it, but he felt his father pull him into a hug, softly speaking as he reassuringly held the other in his arms. "Alright, Iso. If you really want to say here and say goodbye... I won't stop you. I'll still be here though, just in case." Iso nodded in response, wiping away his own tears and moving to grab his basket after moving away from his father's hug. He began to walk back, now with Pally on his left and Minerva on his right, as if they were helping him walk down the mountain. The walk down was decorated with clouds, falling out of Iso's mouth whenever he coughed or sneezed.

When they got down to the spring again, which Minerva had to be escorted around by Pally as he could not see it, Iso sat down, coughing up another small cloud before digging through the large bag his lunch had been packed in, putting the basket with the berries down near Nai'a. Quickly, he retrieved a piece of paper, which was definitely larger than the average paper for lambicorns, almost being as big as Iso himself. He dragged the paper over to Nai'a, beginning to speak as best he could- though he did take some moments to breathe.

"Nai'a... I know that this probably didn't end up how you planned, the scavenger hunt, the group dream, and everything. But I think you did a great job either way. I really had fun this whole time, even when things got scary. I don't blame you for anything that happened... This festival was one of the first times I've ever really been outside of home. Outside of me and my family, I didn't know anyone... so, you were... one of the first people I've ever known as a stranger before. And... even though I've only known you for the festival, I still want to consider you a friend. Even if I never see you again, I'll still remember you as a friend. I made you something... it's probably really small for you, but I wanted to thank you for this... for everything."

Iso then opened the paper, revealing large collection of drawings, painted on. The drawings showed moments of the times in the dreamland, moments where Iso and Nai'a talked, after completed tasks. One was Nai'a holding fairy feathers, smiling kindly to a proud Iso. "I'm not going to ask, but good job. Really." Another depicted Nai'a holding the small Aurorae's Heart flower. "You really are very special." The next had Nai'a softly smiling as she looked at the small moss garden that Iso had made all that time ago. "This is very creative. Thank you." And at the lower portion of the paper, the largest drawing made itself known.

A large picture of Iso hugging Nai'a's arm, a large smile drawn on his face. Colored clouds decorated around the picture, and the clouds were covered with every single item that he had been sent to get, except of course for the huckleberries. Iso looked up to Nai'a, a weak smile on his face as he waited, hope in his heart for Nai'a to appreciate the gift. In all honesty, that's the only thing he could really ask for.
---

Jollity, forever shown.
Path of joy, so few have known.
Sincerity and emphasis.
So truly seen in happiness.

[Malivolentia]

I'm berry picking!
Username: Malitiae
Art/Writing:
“What do I give a Lambicorn who has everything?”
Athena seemed a bit... sad, for some reason. Her usual smiling expression was now only a blank stare. She slowly made her way up to Nai’a, retrieving a basket from her before running off to begin her final quest.
The first berry she came across was definitely the hardest. As she reached for it, her paw got caught up in some branches, causing her to knock it from its bush, sending it rolling across the ground. She quickly tried to snatch it up off the ground, but her reflexes weren’t fast enough. It rolled faster, weaving in between her paws and hooves, making her very dizzy.
“For the love of all things holy, can’t you just let me grab you?” She sighed in annoyance. After a few more minutes of hopelessly chasing around the berry, she managed to lead it into a hole she dug, where she snatched it up and placed it in her basket. From then on, she was extremely careful not to drop any of the berries, placing them immediately in the basket upon picking them.
She gathered enough to fill her basket before searching for her next item, which Nai’a didn’t know about. She came across a large flower, examining it. “I’m sure she already has tons of these... it’s a common flower. It’s very pretty though.” She took a deep breath and continued searching for something, though she wasn’t sure what.
A shiny stone caught her eye, and Athena picked it up, dusting it off. “This gem is beautiful, but it’s so tiny! Nai’a won’t even be able to see it!” She dropped the stone, beginning to lose hope. She dragged herself along, trying desperately to think of something, anything, that would be worthy.
“What do I give a Lambicorn who has everything? An elder with such knowledge and experience I’ll never know, a mighty being whom I don’t even compare to.” Thats when she realized something. Even the most powerful, knowledgeable, oldest Lambicorns could easily live forever without experiencing it.
When the woven friendship bracelet was complete, it was larger than Athena’s entire body, and was surprisingly heavy. She dragged it all the way back to Nai’a, presenting it to her along with the berries.
“Nai’a. I... want to offer you this bracelet as a little gift. I had trouble thinking of what to give you, since you’re... you, and all. This bracelet is a token of my gratitude, and my eternal friendship, which will always stay with me in my heart, even far after I’ve left your world.” She paused for a moment, tears flowing down her cheeks.
“I’ll miss you, I’ll miss you a lot! We haven’t even truly met, but I’ve grown to admire you so much... it’s going to be hard to leave. But I have my own world to return to, my queens are waiting for me. I can’t stay here forever, even if I wanted to. So please, take this bracelet and let it remind you of me. Perhaps, one day, we may meet again.”

[EchoIre]

-Wolpertinger Antlers (adds medium to large antlers to your lambie)
-Small feathers (adds a small pair of wings to your lambie)
-Mountain Fluff (adds a medium fur edit to your lambie)
-Ancient Song (adds a large pair of wings to your lambie)
-Bunny Hop (replaces your lambie's tail with a short, rabbit-like tail)
-20 gems

@bakuraas.
Nai'a turns to you next; though you can't see it, she freezes once she sees you. Wordlessly, she sunk down on her belly so she was closer to your level. Worry is plain across her massive face. "It's going to be okay." She murmurs. Her voice is somehow gentle despite her size. Nai'a glances up at your friend and something falls over her face, concealing her concern. She sits up, still looking down at you both. After a moment, she sighs. "Thank you so much for your help." (+Mountain Fluff)

@matilae
"Very impressive." Nai'a notes, carefully accepting the feathers from you. Her gaze lingers on you for a moment - maybe - before she hands you a yellowed scroll. Huh, she certainly has a lot of those, doesn't she? Wonder how old this one is. (+Ancient Song)

@DaniCalifornia
Nai'a scowls suspiciously at you as you trot up, but before you're too hurt by it, she smiles. "Thank you." She gently takes the feathers from you, giving you some other feathers in return. You give her a strange look, then realize the feathers now in your grasp hum with energy. Ah. Magic feathers. (+Small Feather)

- 50 gems
-Sparkling Horizon Gem (guarantees 3 lambabies in a dreamfusion; does not count as a ticket item, used when submitting a form)
-Stylish MYO
-Classic MYO
-Dream Fairy?? (random 'orphan' lambaby)
-Stardust Soul (adds glittering rings of stardust around your lambie's paws/hooves (up to two on each leg) and a halo of stardust above their head)
-Tiny Eye Crystals (adds up to four extra eyes anywhere on your lambie)
-Featherwishes (adds a pair of wings of any kind to your lambie, doesn't have to be on their back)
-5 Pastel Tickets (5 extra tickets for any Dreamland lambie of your choice, can be split however you like, but specify how many you are using and link the post to where you got them) (lambies will be posted at a later date)
-3 Pastel Tickets (3 extra tickets for any Dreamland lambie of your choice, can be split however you like, but specify how many you are using and link the post to where you got them) (lambies will be posted at a later date)
-40 gems
-Dreamland Frequent (adds a tired expression to your lambie)
-Dreamwalker Extraordinaire (Adds wispy clouds around the paws of your lambie)
-Friend of Nai'a (adds one of Nai'a's bracelets to your lambie)
-Fishy Blessing (adds up to four fins of any size anywhere on your lambicorn)
-Ancient Knowledge (makes your lambicorn's eyes galaxy-like)
-Moonlight's Voice (adds up to three glowing markings to your lambie)
-Star Pearls (adds a piece of jewelry of any type (pendant, earrings, bracelet, etc.) featuring a glowing white pearl anywhere on your lambie) (string of pearls allowed)
-Magical Mermaid (replaces your lambie's tail with a large aquatic tail)
-Whispers of the Primals (adds a pair of horns to your lambie)
-Rainbow's Blessing (adds two random colors to a dreamfusion palette)
-Ancient Amulet (adds a glowing jewel amulet to you lambie)
-Strange Dreamcatcher (ups the chance for your roll by 10% at the Dreamcatcher's Tent)
-Honored Herbalist (adds vine accessories to your lambie)
-Fairy Flowers (adds a flower accessory to your lambie) ((i.e. flower crown, flowers in the mane/tail, flower bracelets, flowers at the base of the tail, etc.))
-Bottled Fae's Song (adds iridescent small to medium sized feathered wings to your lambie)
-Stardust Savant (adds a halo of glittering stardust above your lambie's head)
-Stardust Collector (adds glittering rings of stardust around your lambie's front paws/hooves)

@DaniCalifornia
"Glowing?" Nai'a looks over the basket you brought her. "Huh. Glowing." She shrugs, then sets it to the side. Her gaze stays on your for a moment. "You're different from what I thought you were, Calypso." She says at last. "Such things are hard to tell in the realm of dreams, but easy to see now. Whatever changes you may face, I hope you meet them well." Nai'a offers you a small smile, then hands a small bag over to you. "I hope you enjoyed the festival." (+Stardust Collector, Dreamland Frequent, Dreamwalker Extrordanaire)

@bakuraas.
Shock spreads across Nai'a's face as she realizes you were being helped into the clearing. She meets you halfway, clearing the distance in just a few steps. Her eyes are wide with worry as she looks at you, to Pally and Minerva, and back at you. She's still as you talk, somber even. When you reveal your drawing, Nai’a makes a soft surprised sound. She bends down to inspect it, carefully reading everything and taking it in. At this distance, you can clearly see her eyes begin to water. “Iso, this…” She trails off and looks up at you. “This isn’t small to me.”

She sniffles, making an embarrassed sound as she reaches up to wipe away the tears forming under her eyes. Before she does, you notice the middlemost eye cries a different color than the other two, but it’s too small a thing to focus on when Nai’a speaks again. “You're a very special young lambicorn; I’ve said that before, before I even knew of the blood in your veins, and I mean it even more so now regardless of that. You…” She looks up suddenly, blinking away more stubborn tears. She huffs, but she’s smiling. After regaining her composure, Nai’a looks back down at you with a sad smile.

“Of everything that happened at this festival, I believe it was you who helped me the most.” Surprisingly, the words seem to come easily to her. “I’m still sorry you were put into the position to do so, but I’m thankful to you for it.” Carefully, she moves her paw to pull you into a hug, though she lets you move as closer as you want before - gently - wrapping you into as much a hug as she can at her size. It’s much softer than the hug she gave you in the dream, missing none of the small details that even Nai’a can’t put into her dreams. “I would be honored for you to call me your friend, and would gladly call you the same.”

Nai’a releases you, smiling sadly at you. She’s starting to tear up again, but this time doesn’t bother wiping her tears away. She produces a small, colorful bag and holds it out to you. “I’m glad you enjoyed the festival.” (+Sparkling Horizon Gem, Honored Herbalist, Stardust Savant)

@matilae
Nai’a smiles bitterly at the news of your upcoming departure. “I thought there was something special about you, I just couldn't place it.” She remarks. Her dryness quickly leaves her, though, replaced by a bittersweet softness. “Thank you, Athena. I’ll remember this.” She says gently. Carefully, she picks up the bracelet, slipping it over a paw. It looks a bit strange next to the one already there, but she doesn't seem to notice or mind. Nai’a flashes you a quick, appreciative smile before her face grows somber again.

“Stay for tonight, at least. It’d be a shame if you missed the dream you gathered everything for.” She says softly. “I hope we meet again, too. It sounds like you have many interesting stories to tell.” She smiles again, and it seems happier this time. Nai’a presents you with a small bag heavy with prizes. “Have safe journeys, wherever you go.” (+5 Pastel Tickets, Ancient Amulet, Star Pearls)

Aaand that’s the last Dreamland response, folks! I’ve loved seeing everybody’s art and reading what everyone wrote! I’m honestly super impressed with what everyone has done. All your characters have a special place in my heart <3 I hope you enjoyed the festival!