December 8, Winter, year 20
Brrr, it's cold outside! This is the first clear day we've had since winter started, and people have been out collecting fallen wood for the bonfires pretty much since dawn.
Admittedly, dawn in winter is about ten am. Still.
I told Uncle Tak that I'd be alright watching the bonfire by myself, but he's made me promise to come home if I get too chilled. And I have to take a thermos of hot chocolate with me.
Family…
Claire had never participated in the Fire Festival before, and as such, knew very little about it. It was, she'd learned, a funeral pyre for all those who'd died at sea.
Well, that just made her volunteer on the spot! Cold weather or no, she felt that the bonfire was specifically for her parents this year, so the duty should fall to her.
Which was why she was out past eight, huddled in front of the fire on the beach, wondering why she'd made such a stupid request.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid," she huffed, each breath a cloud of mist. "I really am stupid sometimes."
The crunch of footsteps on snow made her start, and lean her head back until she was looking upside-down at the approaching person. Or rather, approaching people. Muffy had apparently ousted the entire population of the Blue Bar to come and join her. So there was Marlin, Karen, Kasey, Patrick, Gustafa, Takakura, and, naturally, Muffy and Griffin. Everyone was carrying something, be it a blanket to spread over the snow-covered sand, or a hot drink that was steaming in the chill night air.
Muffy had actually dressed warm, her long coat descending to her knees, with warm winter boots meeting them under a longer, wool, skirt, dyed Muffy's favorite shade of red.
Griffin, to Claire's surprise, had brought his guitar. He gave an embarrassed smile when he saw the farmer's glance.
"Wouldn't be a proper festival without music," he commented, clearly his throat carefully. "Or alone."
"We let you celebrate the Firefly Festival alone because you needed it Claire," Muffy interjected. "But you don't need to sit alone in the middle of winter thinking sad thoughts."
Claire blinked her blue eyes, then slowly smiled.
"Well then, come and join me," she offered. "Company on a long winter's night is always welcome."
It was all the invitation any of them needed. Blankets were spread, fuel was added to the bonfire, and food and drink were passed around to keep the chill of winter from intruding too deeply.
Griffin unslung his guitar, and slowly started to play a lament that Claire knew well. She lifted her voice to join in, and soon the beach echoed with music, enough to draw the attention of Cody—who lived not far from the beach—Daryl—who was a bit of a mad scientist, but mostly a decent person—and Skye, though he stayed on the edge of the gathering, uncertain of his welcome.
But when Claire stretched out her hand to welcome her silver-haired thief into the circle, he came willingly enough, holding her ungloved hand between his own. His hands were warm, and he blew on hers to warm them as well raising an eyebrow at her. She smiled sheepishly.
"They get in the way," she whispered as he fully joined the group. "And I'm careful. I need my hands a little too much to lose them."
He just chuckled, and across the circle Muffy noticed spots of color on her cousin's cheeks that were not from the cold. And smiled. It was about time…
That was more fun than I expected, but I feel like a freaking popsicle! Brrr, time for a hot bath!