on the coldest night of the year // gift giving

[ninazu]

BURN
BRIGHT

After the Coalition’s reformation of the earth itself, a deep snow covered the boreal forest from treetops to the forest floor. While their permanent homes had yet to be set up or decided upon, Ninazu had taken it upon herself to keep fires burning and shelters built in their temporary camp. The evergreens above them had been cleared of snow, the boulders had been cleared of snow, and several firepits dug for the various families and individuals within the Coalition.

“To celebrate the successful movement of the islands and reshaping Elysium’s mountains, gather around for New Year’s presents!” Ninazu called. She lounged atop a large boulder, cleared of snow, in front of a strong campfire. Her flaming tail-tip brushed against one present; she tapped it out with a hindpaw before it set the whole pile alight.

Wrapped in soft leathers and rabbit furs, the presents piled next to the lioness’s crossed paws in a lopsided, multi-leveled tower. She ran a pawpad over the bundle, tallying up the number for the last time, and nodded to herself. After all, wouldn’t it be quite embarrassing if she left an important one at home? She chuckled to herself at the thought and licked her teeth.

“If you’ve been waiting on delivering gifts yourself, now is a good time to bring and exchange them,” Ninazu added. She shrugged. The guru expected nothing for herself and nobody else to have prepared presents during the Coalition’s turbulent present, but perhaps someone had? Bonus points for effort, if so.

© MADI