[Yodel]

“I’d like to help harvest!”
Username: Yodel
Buttermilk: Alli

“I’d like to help harvest some more!”
Username: Yodel
Buttermilk: Alli
Word Count: 522 words
Prompt:

It was yet another day that the farmer's market was in town. This meant another day Alli felt obligated to help in any way she could. When she woke up, she decided that she should head over to the crop fields before going to see Daffy and her ducks. She figured the longer she left her funnel trap, the more likely it was she would catch the duck.

Alli trudged along the dirt road towards Liz and her charming booth. Through the past few days, Alli had somewhat warmed up to ol' Liz. She didn't feel the same nervousness when she made her way toward the field that she felt back in the first few days. She did still feel an urge to help, but now it was also because she enjoyed helping the older heifer, wondering what comments she would make or questions she would ask. She finally arrived at the shaded booth, and noticed the field was still full, it was like there hadn't been any work done in it at all, or that the crops magically replenished overnight.

Today, Alli approached Elizabeth a little more confidently, "Good morning Liz" she smiled. After a short conversation, the other cow made a strange comment. "You know, soon enough, it's going to be Christmas in July! That's one of my favourite holidays, it's the best of both worlds!” Alli couldn't help but giggle at the odd statement. Christmas in July? What was she on about? So she asked, and Elizabeth explained that Christmas in July is an unofficial holiday celebrated on the 25th of July, which started because Christmas is actually celebrated during the summer in the southern hemisphere, so to emulate the atmosphere of the northern hemisphere's Christmas, they began an unofficial Christmas to be celebrated in July, the peak of their winter season.

Alli found the holiday interesting, and even more so that it was Liz's favourite. What an unusual favourite holiday. Shortly after their conversation ceased, Alli went to the crop field to pick up where she left off on the previous day, her conversation with Liz still playing in the back of her mind. "What's my favourite holiday?" she asked herself.

The first holiday to come to mind was Easter, the colourful holiday about chocolate, eggs, and cute little bunnies and chicks. And it was right around this time of year too! Alli loved the idea of a renewal, which is why spring is her favourite season.

Her favourite part of Easter was all the different ways there were that you could celebrate it. Her personal favourites are dying eggs with dye or hunting for them. Wait no! She loved sharing her chocolate with friends. Oh! But then there was the big turkey dinner! Or wait, was her favourite part all the new baby animals that were being born, especially the bunnies and chicks who were the center of attention this time of year. She really wasn't sure what her favourite part was.

Regardless, she thoroughly enjoyed the holiday and figured that because she could list so many ways to celebrate, that it must be her favourite holiday.

[mtuan,]

“I’d like to help harvest!”
Username: mtuan,
Buttermilk: Abby

“I’d like to help harvest some more!”
Username: mtuan,
Buttermilk: Abby
Word Count: 310 words
Prompt: Something she enjoyed celebrating? Abby has to think hard for a moment. She grew up in a very rural area, not many people, but much land and crops to tend to. There weren't many festivities or holidays that she had celebrated as a child, much of it had been spent inside with her parents as they struggled to get by (life on the farm wasn't as nice and easy going as some would have imagined it to be- there were many chores to do and much to get done in a day or else it would have been wasted). But if there were any particular holiday that she'd remembered vividly. Then by golly, it would have been Christmas. The celebrations for Christmas by her family was by far the biggest of all the celebrations. Sure she'd have birthday parties and the alike- Thanksgiving... etc, nothing would have been as big of a celebration as Christmas had been. Christmas was filled with good food and singing carols, being able to decorate a tree that the family had hand picked out each year and fresh from the vendors. They'd decorate it with tinsel and ornaments and all the things that made a Christmas tree... well, a Christmas tree. It sparkled and twinkled under the lights with a star sitting at the very top. And of course- there were presents. Oh, the presents came after the tree- though Abby had to admit, they were modest to say the least. The small little things that counted like the cards that her parents' friends would have sent or the little box of cookies that had been delivered, only to be eaten all on Christmas Day. The family would sing carols and dance together, have a nice dinner among themselves. It was the warm memories like these that Abby remembered. They made Christmas- Christmas and definitely her favorite holiday.

[Ravendarus]

“I’d like to help harvest!”
Username: Ravendarus
Buttermilk: Lydia

“I’d like to help harvest some more!”
Username: Ravendarus
Buttermilk: Lydia
Word Count: 546
Prompt: Lydia blinked curiously and rubbed her neck gently, "I don't know..." She said, "Favourite holiday or a special date huh?" She said softly before she nodded her head, "Well Christmas is always a favourite because everyone comes for for a delicious family meal and to give out presents..." She said, "But then again they do that at Easter or Thanksgiving." She said, "I could say my birthday." She said, "but that would be obvious." She said thoughtfully. "I guess... I don't really want to say a holiday because that happens every year just because it can, you know." She said lightly as she looked at her. Then she pondered to herself for a few moments flicking her ears, "I got it." She said softly as she looked back at Liz, "How about an achievement. A cause of celebration would be the day I went to find my father." She said gently.

"Ever since I was younger I always wanted to know about my father and why my mother didn't stay with him, I thought he might just be a typical jerk who walked out on her but my mom never said a bad word about him... there goes my cliche story." She hummed, "Instead as it turns out, he was just a sweet bull who had troubles saying no to anyone. Goodness apparently some mistake his kind gestures for flirting." She said. "I had to know if it was a scandalous story. So I traveled all the way across the country in search of my father, I only had a name to go by and it seemed my father liked moving around too." She said. "It was quite a journey finding him, he lives in the middle of no where you know on a farm of his own. Hardly on any map you could buy at the store. It was a miracle I found him at all. I literally got lost on a foggy day and that is how I found him. The day I found him was... incredible." Lydia admitted.

"It was like finding a piece of me I didn't know I was missing and every year we celebrate the day I found my father by just me and him spending the whole day together without anyone else. See we can't do that on my birthday because everyone wants to be involved." She said. "So every year my Dad takes me out for the whole day to do whatever I want, we usually do some shopping and go for lunch before we go to a cafe for dessert." She said, "Then we head home and drop off the shopping, we go for a walk by the turtle pond to feed them and the ducks, then we go back home and bake some cookies and then we go for dinner together and finish off the day by going to my favourite field and watching the sunset." She said gently to Liz. "It really is the best day of the year and I cannot wait for it to come again this year." She said. "Don't tell anyone about that though... I don't want them ruining my day. Which is why I didn't spoil which day it is... but I am not a softy or anything..." She said.

[Elliad.]

“I’d like to help harvest!”
Username: Elliad.
Buttermilk: Melody

“I’d like to help harvest some more!”
Username: Elliad.
Buttermilk: Melody
Word Count: 306 Words
Prompt:

Birthdays

“Happy Birthday!” Melody greeted, a bouquet of wildflowers in her mouth as she passes them over to Nyx.

The other heifer takes them happily. “Thanks!”

“I’ve got much more coming just you wait and see,” Melody shouted over her shoulder as she happily trotted away, ready to bring a new level of excitement to her friends birthday.

The heifer had been setting up a party all night, making sure that her friend had not been able to see any of the setup to keep up the surprise, although when the time came, Melody found herself unable to keep the secret of what she had planned for her friend’s birthday. This was a regular occurrence: Melody would plan something spectacular (in her opinion) for someone, keep it a secret, then accidentally reveal it on the morning of. She just struggled to keep the act up when she came face to face with her friend, wanting them to know they aren’t being ignored or forgotten on their special day.

“She’s coming,” Cherry whispered, trotting up as the herd went to hide. Melody went and hid behind the centre table that held the flowers that she’d gathered up and a bowl of fruit she had bought from the local market.

Melody hid behind the table, counting in her head to estimate when her friend would come through the door, not wanting to jump up too soon and seem unprepared when her friend did arrive. When she reached zero and heard the door open, the heifer jumped up. “Surprise!”

The smiling face of her friend made the whole ordeal of hiding the event and planning it overnight worth it. She took pride in making sure her friends had the best birthdays they could possibly have and did so to make sure they knew just how much she loved them.

[Areater]

“I’d like to help harvest!”
Username: Areater
Buttermilk: Pandora

“I’d like to help harvest some more!”
Username: Areater
Buttermilk: Pandora
Word Count: 132 words
Prompt: "oh wow, celebrations, haha! i've never heard of christmas, but my herd has a few rituals that we always do around the same time, so i guess those are our holidays! my favorite always happens on the summer solstice, and we spend the whole day by a river, gathering flowers and talking about the best parts of our year. it's really fun to look back on all the good times we had during the year. it's just a really happy time." she smiled wistfully as she remembered past years. "usually, we'll weave flowers into each other's hair and splash around in the water to cool down. you should come visit, someday - some of the herd rituals are more private, but that one is meant to celebrate, so everyone is more than welcome!"

[surfingmars]

“I’d like to help harvest!”
Username: surfingmars
Buttermilk: Paisley

[Cactologist]

“I’d like to help harvest!”
Username: Cactologist
Buttermilk: Bedelia

“I’d like to help harvest some more!”
Username: Cactologist
Buttermilk: Bedelia
Word Count: 301
Prompt: Like most families, Bedelia's celebrates birthdays, Halloween, Christmas, Easter, and all the holidays in between. To Bedelia, though, while these holidays are fun and all, she prefers to celebrate days that have real meaning to her. In fact, there's really only two specific times she celebrates.
The first day Bedelia celebrates is the day of her grandmother's death, February 3rd. Now, this may seem dark and macabre to some, but Bedelia sees this as a time to celebrate her grandmother's life and legacy. This day was a huge turning point in Bedelia's life, and wants to recognize it as such. While she knows she could celebrate her grandmother's birthday instead, that day also doesn't hold as much meaning for her since she didn't know her grandmother at that point. Annually on this day, Bedelia visits all of the places that she has the best memories of her grandmother and relives them to bring her joy. She also looks through the pictures she has with her grandmother, so that she can remember those moments, too. Before the day is over, she makes a point to visit her grandmother's grave, as well, to leave her a bouquet of her favorite flowers.
The other event Bedelia really celebrates is anytime Mars will be easily visible in the night sky. This celebration isn't as much a holiday to her as it is a special day, like the day of the Super Bowl is for us. For knowing when these times will be, Bedelia's Astronomer's Almanac is her best friend. By mid afternoon on these days, she'll have a blanket and snacks set up on the highest hill on her property, her telescope ready. Although others may think this is even crazier than celebrating her grandmother's day of death, this is what really gets her excited.

[honeybunchesofoats]

“I’d like to help harvest!”
Username: honeybunchesofoats
Buttermilk: Triton

“I’d like to help harvest some more!”
Username: honeybunchesofoats
Buttermilk: Triton
Word Count: 451
Prompt:

Celebrations at the farm stopped shortly after Rho ran away. Before then, they all made it a point to make a party out of everything possible. Christmases were extravagant with a towering tree in the living room and the orchard outside covered with snow and shimmering silver tinsel. The kitchen counters stuffed with the best kinds of Thanksgiving foods. Birthdays were decorated with the person's favorite color and different cakes and goodies were made to fit their tastes.

He remembers waking up to the sound of sleigh bells, Rhodos already opening his door so they could run down the steps together to just miss Santa leaving present under the tree, the cookie crumbs and empty glass of milk on the coffee table and a bite taken out of a carrot. Opening presents with her, and their parents laughing when they worked out a trading system for their new toys.

Just before she left, they had all celebrated Thanksgiving together. He remembers it so vividly because he was helping his mother make roasted potatoes when Rho came barreling haphazardly into the kitchen, knocking into him when he was trying to peel the skin. They had gotten into a huge argument and it looked as if they were going to ignore each other for an indeterminate amount of time, but after their parents sat them down at the dinner table to eat, slowly but surely, they started to open back up. With each bite of food, they both started to smile and talk to each other again.

Triton would be lying if he said he didn't miss it. Sometimes he would wake up on these days after Rho was gone and feel the fluttering excitement in his chest. The first year he still found himself running downstairs to see what had been done but the effort wasn't there anymore. No decorations, no food, no presents. It was like time had slowed down and reality was altered.

After moving to his own place, Triton made it a point to keep celebrating. He was on his own and didn't have much money so it wasn't nearly as big of a thing as when he was a kid, but on Christmas, he'd decorate a tree in the yard and watch it snow as he cared for the animals that kept him company. His favorite thing to celebrate though was Rho's birthday. He would wake up early, bake a strawberry cream cake, make her favorite meal, and dish out two servings, one on the opposite end of the table. He would stick a candle in and softly sing happy birthday and when blowing out the candle, he would always wish for her to come back.

[Black.Wings]

“I’d like to help harvest!”
Username: Black.Wings
Buttermilk: Ghostly

[Northstar.]

“I’d like to help harvest!”
Username: Northstar.
Buttermilk: Eponine


“I’d like to help harvest some more!”
Username: Northstar.
Buttermilk: Eponine
Word Count: 424
Prompt:

"It's strange," Eponine mumbles, her hand covering the lower half of her face in embarassment.  "Well, it isn't so strange now, but Before? Very odd."  She pauses, mulling over an explanation.

"Before this whole apocalypse I celebrated the big things like everyone else.  Birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas." She missed Christmas.  The lights, the gatherings, the atmosphere.  The giving.  She had loved to give gifts Before.  The challenge was picking the perfect present, and when that someone opened it - there was nothing like that.

"But now I celebrate small victories.  Little things that would have been inconsequential before - like finding the right size shoes or a sturdy backpack."  She went through them so fast.  They were a last-ditch effort to save her skin from hungry teeth and so far it worked. She remembers the first time her pack was ripped from her back - not long after the whole thing started. She had been terrified then, and so, so cold with fear. Her fingers had felt numb for days after.

"In the museum there's an empty wall - it was empty when I made it home.  Now it's filled with handprints.  Once a week I round up Ghost and we have a little ceremony. A 'we lived one more week ceremony."  And Ghost was hard to track down.  Sometimes she was on the highest hanging dinosaur bone, nestled in the curve of the ribs.  Other times she was on the roof, keeping lookout even though Eponine swore she hadn't seen another living being for weeks.  Other times she was wandering the greenhouse with little powder blue, sunshine yellow, and snow white parakeets perched on her horns.

"We each dip a hand in whatever color paint we want, and leave our mark.  Before Ghost, it was just me and a few cats.  Some of their pawprints mark the wall, too."

Eponine doesn't like to think of Before Ghost. She had survived being alone - she could survive again. She had never realized how much the loneliness wore her down. The cats helped - they were sweet and loved pets - but they couldn't talk back(a blessing, Ghost said once). To have real conversation, even if Ghost was the worst conversationalist, was... unbelievable after so long. Before Ghost had 27 handprints. 27 weeks of being alone.

Now, each week is a celebration. Eponine always trys to scavenge for little treats to save just for those days. And, as Eponine learns to read her fellow bovine better and better, it seems Ghost appreciates these little things, too.

After all, they have survived.