Coffeh's G/t Short Stories

G/t July Day 1: Enchanted

The sun had long gone down. Little Sunflower, only nine years old back then, waited for her friend in the spooky clearing of the forest. A part of her felt bad for lying to Alba, saying instead that she had to buy vegetables from a merchant in the town, but she couldn't resist. She was forbidden to leave Leivden after all, and her explorer nature has never been fulfilled because of that.

Sunflower didn't know, in her childish naivety, that Alba knew about her secret friend a long time ago, and she was allowing the human child a chance of having her wish granted.

The rustling of grass being crushed underfoot alerted her. Although the steps felt heavy and with purpose, they weren't loud. Sunflower already knew who it was and beamed at the direction of the trees, where the sound of footsteps was coming from.

Juhren came out from the trees and approached her in the clearing. Back then, he was only a few inches taller than the human. His face was serious and he seemed pouty, yet his big, round eyes softened at the sight of his best friend. He strode towards her and reached out for her hand.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes!" She grinned, heart racing with excitement.

And so, the children entered the dense foliage of the forest, holding hands as Juhren guided Sunflower towards the special destination. His own heart was beating as fast as his friend's, yet he tried to keep his excitement at bay. 'I can't wait to show them to you', he thought.

They reached the place and Juhren turned his head towards Sunflower, putting a finger over his mouth. She understood and covered her own mouth with one hand, nodding fervently. Were they there yet?

Juhren and Sunflower crouched down and hid behind the bushes, a small circular clearing laid in front of them.

Little by little, blue dots of light gathered around the small space, illuminating the forest with a calming sapphire hue. Sunflower stifled a gasp, and leaned just a little bit closer to the mysterious fireflies.

They weren't fireflies at all, Sunflower's eyes widened with surprise.

There, amidst the clearing, countless tiny fairies started dancing around, as the mystic yet jolly sound of a small flute started echoing through the woods. The creatures twirled, glided up and dived down, enjoying their moment of leisure. Silky white dresses and elegant suits flowed in the cool breeze, their buzzing wings glowing bright blue as they danced in what appeared to be a soaring gala ball.

The children fixated their widened eyes on the fairies and their floating waltz, mesmerized by the sight. Juhren had seen it all before, yet the dance would never stop enchanting him with its beauty. He glanced to his right side, noticing Sunflower's eyes full of wonder as she smiled broadly.

His eyes softened and he felt heat rising in his cheeks, smiling gently at his friend.

Juhren never wanted to forget that feeling. Watching such small kiirians dance as he enjoyed the company of his dearest friend, who never had a chance of seeing the outside world.

He had to cherish that memory, before his current situation is snatched away from him sooner or later.

He leaned towards Sunflower's ear and whispered very quietly, as to not disturb the dancing fairies.

"It's beautiful, right?"

The girl turned towards him and her smile turned even brighter. She nodded eagerly and whispered back:

"Yes! Thank you, thank you, Jun! I could never thank you enough!"

She grasped Juhren in a tight hug, careful not to startle the fairies dancing close to them. His timid smile grew wider. Somehow, his friend always had that ability to make him smile more. He returned the hug and closed his eyes, enjoying the warm feeling in his chest. That soft, gentle happiness, the wondrous dance of the fairies and the bright wonder from his human friend. All of those contrasted so much to his home, so much so that he never wanted to leave that moment.

And thus, they both watched the fairies for the remainder of the night, returning to their respective houses after it was all over.

The memory of that magical waltz still lingered in their peaceful sleep.