Username: selkirks
Storage: river sanctuaryQuest number: 3
Response: The Festival of Hearts takes place one moon after the first snowfall of the year. It is a celebration- of romantic, platonic, and familial love. Traditionally, it begins at dawn's rise and dusk's set, with plenty of games and food in-between the two times.
At the rise of dawn, the festivities begin as cats dig into a feast, usually consisting of rabbits and thrushes. Cats traditionally eat with their loved ones they would like to celebrate the festival with.
After this is the first game, in which a pair or trio of cats (usually either lovers, siblings, or friends) compete against other teams in who can find a hidden rose on the territory first, usually hid by either the leader or second-in-command. The winning team gets first pick at the evening feast.
After this, around midday, elders share stories of how the Festival of Hearts came to be. "The Cardinal that Flew over the Sun" is an old tale passed through generations and while certain details have been lost over time, the general gist goes like this:
"Separated by the moon and sun, the Jay and Cardinal longed to be one.
Begged by the Cardinal, the sun granted the red-plumaged bird a day to unite with the Jay.
As the Cardinal flew over the sun and to the moon, the moon refused to let the Cardinal visit its lover.
Envious of the freedom of the birds, the moon caged the Jay and turned away, refusing to let the two unite.
Flying back, the Cardinal begged to the sun to talk to the moon, but to no response.
It was night, and the sun had fallen asleep. Determined to free the Jay, the Cardinal flew to the moon.
The moon guarded the Jay for hours before it began to doze off.
The day was coming, and the moon could not help but fall asleep.
Noticing the moon's rest, the Cardinal flew to the caged Jay.
With help from the Cardinal, the Jay was freed from its chains.
Leaving the moon behind, the two flew far away, ready to start a new life together."
The story is a reminder of how love is one of the strongest emotions a cat can experience. Through love for another cat, you can accomplish near anything.
After the storytelling, cats bask and share tongues together. It is a time of tranquility and peace, resting up for the next event of the Festival of Hearts; the Weaving of Ties. During this event, cats craft various little trinkets for their loved ones. Common trinkets are vine necklaces and flower crowns.
After this, at the setting of dusk, cats share tongues one last time before heading to sleep. This marks the end of the Festival of Hearts.
Word Count: 458