The icy winter air whipped across Penny's face as she carefully made her way towards the town centre through the deep snow. She could hear that most of the others had already gathered, their laughter and chatter carrying over all of Pelican Town. As she drew closer, she could make out a dazzling rainbow of colored lights and an endless stream of large decorative candy-canes. This was it, her favorite Pelican Town event.
It was the Feast of the Winter Star.
Even though she'd been back in the trailer since John had recovered and managed to run, it somehow still felt odd to approach the town square from here. She'd so quickly gotten comfortable with walking into town from the farm and seeing it from the front, as any visitor would see it, rather than coming around the side from her trailer. The warmth of the farmhouse also seemed like something from a dream compared to the bitter winter chill that so often rattled the dingy metal trailer.
Still - freezing trailer aside - no matter what angle you approached it, the town square in the middle of the festival was undeniably beautiful.
She made her way around the saloon, clutching a small present wrapped in glossy red paper, to be greeted by four long feast tables, covered over in an embroidered royal-red cloth. There were mountains of food and large, ornate silver platters piled high with a wide range of colourful sweets, meats and treats. Vincent was busy darting around one table in particular, which had a steaming full roast turkey and an enormous plate of wobbling green jelly.
"It's as big as my head!" he squeaked, staring at the jelly. He reached out a finger to prod it.
"Vincent!" said Jodi, quickly pushing his finger away. "Don't touch, people are going to eat that!"
Vincent shrugged and ran off to join Jas, who was busy goggling at the main attraction - the Tree of the Winter Star.
It stood tall and mighty above the feast tables, marking the very centre of the town square, and even towering over the nearby saloon. It glistened in a shimmer of red, gold and blue, piercing the perfectly white, clouded sky above it.
"Penny!" Maru called, waving her over to a table near the far side of the tree, a huge grin on her face. "I've got to show you something!" Standing next to her at her table were Demetrius and Robin. Demetrius was busy arranging the table and loading some food onto plates, and Robin was beaming widely at Penny.
Penny smiled at her and made her way over, careful not to bump into either of the kids who were now both chasing each other around the base of the tree.
"Penny," said Robin warmly, holding her arms out towards her. Penny moved in sheepishly for a hug. Robin had been all over her since the incident in the mines, despite the fact that Penny maintained that she wasn't the one that saved her. Robin wrapped her in a warm but gentle embrace. "Happy Winter Star."
"Happy Winter Star," Penny echoed, as the two separated. Before either of them could say anything more, Maru began eagerly tapping Penny on the shoulder.
"Penny, look," she said, turning her attention to something on the table. "Look, look," she said as she pointed at a very petite, very fine porcelain tea set. Penny glanced at the tea set briefly, not entirely sure how she should react. "A tea set!" said Maru, with an exasperated tone, placing her hands on her hips. "Isn't it random?"
Penny giggled. "Did someone give this to you for the festival?"
"Yeah! Shane!" said Maru, as if this somehow made it worse.
"Well... I suppose he doesn't know you too well," said Penny with a half-laugh. Demetrius and Robin were now also laughing.
"I guess not. Still, I guess it's the thought that counts." Maru shrugged. "Anyway, who've you got? Who are you gifting?"
Penny felt a strange knot form in her stomach. She didn't much like the idea of random gift-giving, especially as it meant approaching people with your gift directly. The very idea made her feel nervous and a little queasy. So far she'd managed to avoid thinking about it for the most part, but she knew she'd have to pretty soon.
"I've got Elliot," she said, a little more quietly than she intended. She held up the small red present she'd kept in her grasp.
"Oh, boring," Maru sighed, waving her hands as if to push the name away. "I thought you'd have someone like..." Her eyes widened ever so slightly as she stared softly over Penny's shoulder. "Well," she finished, with a small nod, still looking over her shoulder.
Penny turned around to see Sam's bright, cheery face a couple of meters away, beaming at her.
"Happy Winter Star, Penny," he grinned, holding out a thick blue package.
Penny did her best to avoid blushing as she pulled a strand of auburn hair out of her face and gently took the package from him.
"Thanks, Sam," she smiled, still very conscious of keeping her face unflustered. The icy, winter wind did little to help.
"Well?" said Sam eagerly, eyeing the present. "Aren't you going to open it?"
"Oh, of course," said Penny, the definite small tinge of red flushing her cheeks. With as much care as she could, she peeled off the tape and unwrapped the present. Inside, was a large green book, entitled Camellia Station. Penny blinked. It was actually a book that she had been very interested to read; one that she had seen and leafed through when she was in ZuZu City.
She had no idea how Sam knew it was a book she'd like; he'd never bought her a book before, and any other presents from him was often slightly off the mark. She managed to avoid a quiet laugh as she remembered the sticky maple bar he'd given her for her birthday.
"Wow, Sam," she said, staring at the book in her hands. She looked up at him. "Thank you so much."
"You like it?" he said with a grin, in a voice that sounded relieved. "Oh good. John said you would!"
That explained it. Of course it wasn't that Sam knew her and what she'd want to read. It was John's influence. Her insides squirmed a little at the thought that John actually knew her well. It was a very warm, pleasing, unfamiliar feeling.
At that moment, as if sensing a gap that he could fill by his presence, someone swept up quickly beside Sam. Rather bizarrely, Penny thought, it was Elliot. He had appeared almost as if to save her the trouble and awkwardness of having to seek him out.
"Sam," he said in a long, deep syllable. He flicked his hair to one side, the long burnt-golden locks flowing in one singular, fluid motion. "I've got a present for you."
"Oh, no way," Sam laughed, with a smile plastered to his face as if he was a hungry child in a candy store. Elliot handed him an extremely well-wrapped present, which was topped with a meticulously carefully tied golden bow. Sam, certainly, did not take nearly as much care in opening Elliot's present as Penny had taken opening Sam's. In only a few moments, Sam had ripped his way inside. From within the wrapping paper husk, he pulled out a rather large rainbow-coloured seashell. It glimmered in stark contrast to the brilliantly-white snow, shimmering and practically glowing in the winter sun.
"Cool!" Sam beamed, glancing between Elliot and the shell.
"Yes," said Elliot, once again in a long, drawn-out syllable, almost as if it was for dramatic effect. "I found it very close to me along the beach and it seemed... captivating. Purifying."
"Super colourful too," said Sam.
Elliot sniffed lightly as if he felt this observation wasn't sophisticated enough to warrant a response. "Indeed," he nodded, in a polite, civil tone. "Happy Winter Star."
As Elliot began to move away, Penny realised that she would have to take this opportunity to give him his present, or else she'd find herself having to track him down later. She swallowed quickly and uttered a fast "Hey Elliot," which caught his attention enough to spin him around.
He gazed at her milkily, as if he'd never quite focused on her before. "Yes?"
Penny held out her present at arm's length. "Happy Winter Star."
"Ah," he toned, a small smile forming on his face. He took the present from her. "Thank you, indeed."
He began unwrapping the paper. The small brown book began to emerge from within; Diamonds, A Tarin Hearney Compilation. It was a small book of poems by the poet Tarin Hearney, who Penny was fairly sure that Elliot liked. She hadn't talked to him very much at all, but remembered overhearing him a while ago at the library, asking Gunther if he had any of Tarin Hearney's works.
"My word," he whispered, almost soundlessly, staring down at the book in his hands. He looked up at Penny. "Did you know I've been looking for a copy of his compiled works for five months?"
Penny flushed slightly. "No I didn't," she smiled, as plainly as she could, inwardly pleased with what sounded like a well-chosen gift. "Do you like it?"
"Like it?" Elliot toned, as if this was beyond the question. He watched her with a deep, investigative look. "I dare say it's the perfect gift."
Penny was definitely blushing now, her face flooding the familiar warm crimson. "That's great," was all she could think to say. "Happy Winter Star," she added as she looked down at her ice-coated shoes, unsure as to what she should say beyond that. Before Elliot said anything, however, Demetrius' voice shook her attention away from her shoes.
"Robin, look! That's Marlon. He helped us get you out." He was pointing at a figure on the other side of the large central tree, who was making their way towards town through the deep snow. Penny found it odd that Robin hadn't yet been introduced to Marlon. She supposed that in the rush to get Robin out of the mines and then for Marlon to get to John, formal introductions weren't really on anyone's mind.
She squinted through the bright snow-reflected light at the figure that Demetrius was pointing at. It wasn't just one figure walking towards town, but two.
They were coming from the farm. It was Marlon and John.
Marlon looked the same as he had before, a man hardened through experience and determination, shaped into the intimidating form of a legendary soldier. Although she still barely knew who he was, Penny admired Marlon immensely for his hand in saving them from the mines.
Penny was happy to see John alongside him, although she was still getting used to seeing him upright and walking again. He was supported with a sturdy, lacquered oak walking cane and leaned on it gently as he walked, careful not to place it on any patches of ice. Even though he looked a lot less vulnerable out of the wheelchair, Penny still had the urge to make sure he was looked after.
Maru tapped Penny on the shoulder. "I think he's coming for you," she whispered, nodding at Marlon. Elliot raised an eyebrow in curiosity as he turned around to see the two men walking towards them.
Marlon caught her eye as he approached. "Penny," he said in a deep, gravelly voice. She'd forgotten how rough and hard-edged it was, which did nothing but reinforce his intimidating demeanor. "How are you feeling?"
"I, uh," said Penny, rubbing the back of her neck. If he meant from the mines, that felt like a lifetime ago. "I'm fine, thanks."
"Good," was all he said, with a short nod.
John managed to catch up to Marlon. "Happy Winter Star, everybody," he grinned, looking around at the table at large. Penny couldn't be sure, but it looked as though his smile softened as he looked at her, as if it meant a little bit more. "Happy Winter Star, Penny," he said, beaming.
Penny's face flushed a little as she smiled. "Happy Winter Star, John."
"Marlon, sir," said Demetrius, coming around from the other side of the feast table and extending his hand. "I just want to thank you again."
"Please," said Marlon politely, shaking his hand firmly. "It's what I do."
"I know!" Demetrius said, almost excitedly. "Seb's been talking about the Adventurer's Guild since the mines. He's a real admirer of yours, and he-"
"Dad!" called Sebastian, jogging over from another table where he'd been hanging out with Alex. "Please stop." He sounded embarrassed, and turned his slightly reddened face to Marlon. "It just seems cool. What you do, I mean."
Marlon nodded, the ghost of a smile flitting across his face. "We can always use more adventurers at the guild." Rather suddenly, he turned his attention to Penny. "In fact, I have something from the guild for you, Miss Penny." He gestured towards the Tree of the Winter Star and stepped a few paces towards it, suggesting that she should do the same. John grinned at her and followed him over, then beckoned excitedly with his hand for her to join them.
With a quick glance at Maru to see if she knew something Penny didn't, and confirming that she also seemed confused, Penny made her way around the feast table and joined the two at the base of the tree. Thankfully, the kids had now settled to chase each other around the saloon instead of the tree.
Marlon smiled at her, with a toothy grin that suggested his mouth had little room for much more than his thick, gnarled teeth. "Penny," he said, still smiling. "I won't keep you long. It's my pleasure to award you the Star of Alterra." He swished his flowing red cape to one side and reached into a small side satchel, producing a royal-blue cloth. Gently unfolding the silky cloth revealed a shimmering golden star, suspended by a red ribbon.
Penny gaped at the medal as Marlon held it out. She looked up at him. "Really?"
"Absolutely," he said in his growly voice. "Your courage, your determination and your grit kept you alive in those mines, but it also kept this man alive too." He placed a hand on John's back. "The Star of Alterra exists to reward selflessness. When one saves the life of another. Now," he said, handing the medal to John for him to hold. "It is customary for the medal to be presented by the rescued party." He offered a curt nod to the both of them and took a very small step away. "I must be going. Penny, you truly deserve this. My congratulations," he said, holding his hand out towards her.
Penny wasn't sure what to say except "thank you", as she took his hand and shook it. Marlon gave another curt nod to each of them, offered a small wave to the rest at Robin's feast table, and then strode away.
"It's no fire opal," John chuckled as he leaned his cane against his leg to allow use of both of his hands. He lifted the medal from the silken cloth. "But if anyone deserves this, it's you, Penny," he smiled warmly.
If there was ever a time for her to blush, it was now. She could feel her cheeks flooding a deep scarlet, and she involuntarily reached a hand up to her face as she smiled, in an attempt to cover what she could. "Thanks, John. You know..." she swallowed, as if hoping her blush would be swallowed too. "The old Penny wouldn't have been able to save you. You've really changed me," she continued smiling. "For the better, of course!" she added, as she realised how that might've sounded.
John laughed as he held out the medal. "It's all you, Penny. You're the same old Penny that I know and love." Penny's insides squirmed. She knew that he didn't mean love in that way, that it was just a turn of phrase, but somehow hearing the words set her heart aflutter. "Ready?" he said, holding out the medal still, his voice softening.
Penny nodded and bowed her head slightly. She felt his hands move over her head and around to her neck. His fingers brushed the back of her neck as he placed the medal over her head, sending small shivers down her spine. She felt the small weight of the golden medal hanging from her neck and watched it as it glimmered in the wintry light. Unexpectedly, John's hands settled on her shoulders, his large palms feeling protective and sturdy as they encapsulated her rather meek shoulders. She looked up at him.
"You're a damn hero, Penny," he beamed. He maintained his smile for a few moments before he let go of her shoulders.
"Couldn't have done it without you," she said, surprised at her own words, although she knew that was true. "How's, um," she stalled slightly, gesturing at the walking cane that John was now taking back into one hand. "How's the leg?"
"Oh, fine, really," he said, a rather determined smile on his face. "It's getting a lot better. Don't think I'll need the cane much longer, but Harvey's determined to make sure I use it," he laughed, glancing over at Harvey at a faraway feast table. "He couldn't believe me when I told him I'd been running. Said I should use the cane at least until winter passes, make sure I have some stability on the ice. Still, he was amazed I was walking. I guess whatever the Wizard was doing really sped up the healing!"
"You must feel a lot better being out of that wheelchair."
"Oh yeah, absolutely," he said, lightly tapping the cane with the tip of his boot. "Still, though, I miss the company." He offered a warm smile, but it wasn't altogether a happy one. "I miss you, you know. The farm's quiet without you."
Penny laughed softly. "That's not something I've heard before." She felt a small boost of confidence. "Quietness is kind of my thing, you know."
John chuckled. "You know what I mean."
"Yeah, I do," Penny beamed, another slight blush washing over her cheeks. "I miss it too."
"Well, you're certainly welcome to stay any time you like."
Penny would've liked nothing more than to go back to staying at the farm with John. If she'd felt even a tiny bit more confident, maybe she would've said so. But as it was, she couldn't quite bring herself to. Staying there without a reason, without being needed to look after him, felt like a full admission that she liked him. And even though she was fairly sure he knew to some degree how she felt, she wasn't sure that she was ready to say it.
"Still didn't find that Noctumbra," said John, as if it continued on an earlier conversation. Penny frowned at him. "The one that stole Cluck. I'm keeping an eye out, but it seems as though he just got to town and vanished."
Penny tapped her lip. "Would the Wizard know?"
"Yeah, I've asked him. Rasmodius suggested all sorts of places it might hide." He shrugged. "Basically anywhere dark." John seemed very aware that he'd brought the mood down, as he suddenly pepped up and said, brightly, "Anyway, I'm going to go give my present." He reached into his dark, heavy coat and pulled out a sparkling forest-green present. "I'll be right back," he beamed.
"Okay," said Penny with a smile as John strode towards a different feast table.
She turned around and headed back to Robin's table. Sebastian was now helping his dad lay the table, still talking about the adventurer's guild. To Penny's surprise, she saw her mom at the table, talking to Robin and Maru, laughing about something.
"Kiddo!" Pam called, waving at her. She was holding a small bottle of Joja Festive Pale Ale. "What's that you got there?" she said as Penny drew nearer, her eyes darting towards the golden medal hanging around Penny's neck.
"It's the Star of Alterra," said Maru, her eyes widening. "Oh Penny, well done." She clapped a few times, and the rest of the table joined in, a gentle applause breaking out. As had happened all too often today, Penny felt the familiar crimson covering her face. She wished that, at this point, her face could just stay red for the rest of the day, at least that would be less noticeable.
"That's fantastic, Penny," said Robin, smiling sweetly. "Will you join us for the feast? Your mom's going to."
"Sure am," Pam grinned, toothily.
"I'd love to," said Penny, feeling very grateful to be invited to join for the meal. Her usual table, with just herself and her mom, who progressively got more and more inebriated, wouldn't be nearly as much fun.
"Super!" said Robin, picking up a handful of forks and napkins as she organised the table. "And what about John?"
"Uhh, maybe," Penny trailed off as she turned around to look for John.
She spotted him at another feast table, where he was greeted by smiles and laughter. He was walking towards Abigail, his arm extended, holding the green present out towards her. Penny couldn't see what the present was as Abigail unwrapped it, but she definitely heard her squeal with delight. She wrapped him tightly in a hug and Penny felt an immediate pang of jealousy. It was a horrible, hot, uncomfortable dread that filled her stomach, like her insides were swelling with hot lead. She fiddled absent-mindedly with the medal hanging from her neck.
"Hey," said Maru quietly. She'd come up quite close behind Penny, and had almost given her a jump. "It doesn't mean anything, you know."
Penny tore her attention away from John. She frowned at Maru, not sure what to say.
"It's just a thank you hug. I can tell." She nodded at Penny, as if confirming it. "Don't worry about it."
Did Maru know how she felt about John? Was she really that obvious? Maru hadn't been able to tell how worried Penny got about her mom, about how frightened she'd been that her mom was drinking herself to death, about how un-funny she found the stories of her various drinking escapades. And yet, somehow, she was perceptive enough to know that this hug, this quick exchange between John and Abby, would be enough to upset her.
Penny watched her closely for another moment before meekly saying "...Thanks Maru."
"You're welcome," she said, sweetly. She winked at her. "Honestly, he's head over heels for you. You've got nothing to worry about." She said the last words in a kind of sing-song voice as she swanned away, back closer to the feast table. "Yep, John's joining too, mom."
"That's great!" said Robin. "Then we're seven. Seb, can you set another place for John please?"
Penny turned back to face the feast table as she noticed John making his way back to their table. She tried her best to let Maru's words wash over her and calm her down. The dark envious cloud began to dissipate slowly.
"John," Pam called, waving at him as he approached. "Come sit next to me for the feast, I never thanked you proper for fixin' the bus!"
Penny heard John chuckle. He gently placed a hand on Penny's shoulder as he came up beside her. "I'd love to, Pam. Want to sit, Penny?"
Thankfully - miraculously - Penny had managed to let go of her jealousy. Maru was right, it meant nothing. John had made his way over, delivered the present, and immediately made his way back to her. He cared about her, not Abby. She didn't like that it was that thought that made her feel better, but it was.
"Definitely," she said, with a smile, a small blush rising in her cheeks as she pushed the thought of Abby away. The idea of jealousy now felt almost childish.
"Then let's eat!" called Demetrius, laughing. He was now taking his seat on Pam's other side.
John took his seat next to Pam and Penny sat opposite him, with Maru placing herself next to her. Robin held a glass up to the table at large and proposed a toast.
"Happy Winter Star, everybody," she said, her glass high in the air. Everyone raised their glasses and echoed the toast. And soon, they all began to dish out the delicious, festive food on their plates.
As the feast began properly, something suddenly dawned on Penny. She raised her hand to her face and felt the warmth of her fading blush. Many people had made her nervous today and involuntarily made her blush. Sam and Elliot had made her blush, it was true, but in a very different way, a way that made her feel a little uncomfortable, a little uneasy. But it wasn't like that when John did it. In fact, thinking on it, she almost enjoyed the feeling - the rush of nervous excitement, the burst of energy as her cheeks ran scarlet. Perhaps she wasn't ready to say how she felt about John, but her face certainly was.
She looked around the table. John and Pam across from her were swapping stories and laughing heartily at various intervals. Maru and Seb were serving food on to their own plates, exchanging playful sibling pushes and shoves as they fought to get the tastiest roast potatoes. Demetrius and Robin were gazing lovingly at each other, holding hands on the table, not saying all that much.
John caught Penny's eye and grinned at her. She smiled back, as warmly as she could. She was part of a family. She belonged.
And in that moment - with any jealousy far behind her like a bad dream - Penny was truly, unambiguously happy.
Year 1, Winter 25th - The Feast of the Winter Star
For anyone who's been hanging on for this chapter, I can only apologise for how long it's been. Know that it's been on my mind for a lot of that time, it just got away from me a little - there's been rather a lot going on.
Still! I hope you enjoyed it! Things are looking up for Penny and we're approaching the end of the year. How different a person she was this time last year!
See you soon for the next one - it won't be as long this time, I promise!
Side note from Elliot: Those poems are absolutely outstanding. I love Hearney's work. I think I'll write Penny a poem that's inspired by his style.