( I'm messing with Orb's climate again...cos this story does not work if it's warm. :nods: )
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"Are you ready yet?"
He stood impatiently in the kitchen, thick blue gloves balled up in his hands. Her soft voice floated down from the bedroom. "Almost!" Mwu sighed, shaking his head with a light chuckle. He adjusted the blue scarf that was wound around his neck, and crossed to the stairs to see what was taking her so long. "Murrue, if you don't hurry up, I'm going without you!" he called up, grinning as he heard her huff in annoyance. A moment later, he heard soft footsteps, and she appeared at the top of the stairs, clad in a thick fuchia pink jacket. As she walked down, Murrue wrapped a scarf around her neck, the fabric the same soft pink as her coat. "You shouldn't be so impatient;" she scolded gently, taking black mittens out of the coat pocket. "We'll get there in plenty of time.."
Mwu just shrugged cheerfully, placing a wool hat on his head. "The rate you were going, the fire will have burned out..."
She chose not to reply to that, instead walking to the front door and putting her boots on.
The night was cold and frosty, a rim of gold around the moon, the stars twinkling in the clear sky. The couple walked together down the streets, she holding onto his arm and huddling closer for warmth. Their breath came out in clouds, and the tip of her nose had turned bright pink.
"So, what's happening at the park?" she wanted to know, looking around her at the quiet streets. Mwu smiled, taking her mittened hand in his own and squeezing it. "Some kind of fair, it happens every year. It sounds like a lot of fun.."
The local park was crowded with people, couples and families. Lanterns hung from the trees, and in the centre of the park, a huge bonfire blazed, sending bright orange sparks into the night sky. People gathered around the fire to keep warm, while others sampled a variety of hot food from the stalls nearby. Across the other side of the park was a small fair, complete with rollercoaster, laughter and screaming drifting through the cold air.
"So, what shall we do first?" Murrue asked, a small smile playing on her lips as she noticed Mwu eyeing the food stalls. He turned to her and beamed, grabbing her hand again. "Let's go get something to eat.." he said happily, pulling her towards the potato stand. She could only shake her head in amused exasperation as he bought two large baked potatoes, one topped with melted cheese, and the other with a mound of butter. "Which one would you like?" he asked, holding out the two plastic trays. Rolling her eyes (but trying not to laugh), Murrue chose the buttered potato, picking at the food delicately with a fork.
The two stood there near the fire as they ate, grateful for the warmth. Children ran around the park, in between the adults, some holding food, and others carefully clutching fizzing sparklers, the white-hot light casting strange shadows in the darkness.
"What's this night for, anyway?" Murrue asked, finishing her food. Mwu shrugged. "Beats me," he replied, voice muffled by a mouthful of potato. "But it's fun, isn't it? And on a cold night like this, hot food, a huge fire...what could be better?" Placing his now-empty tray into a nearby rubbish bag, he reached out to wrap his arms around her waist, pulling her closer.
His voice murmured into her ear. "Especially when you can share it..." She smiled, leaning back against him, and closing her eyes. His warmth, and the warmth of the fire lulled her, making her feel drowsy.
Until a huge bang startled her so much that she jumped. Amber eyes wide, she stared around in confusion. "Wha -" Mwu laughed heartily, pointing up at the dark sky. "There." he said, and as she watched, a firework shot straight up into the air, and exploded in a bursr of colour. Murrue laughed in delight, and he smiled as he gazed at her. The bright flames of the bonfire were reflected in her eyes, and her beautiful face wore an expression of pure happiness as she watched the myriad fireworks explode in the night air. Leaning down, he placed a kiss on her cheek, and squeezed her hands. She didn't look back at him, but her pale face, already pinked from the cold, turned a deeper shade of rose, and she in turn held his hands.
This night was perfect.
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( All this, the bonfire, the hot food, the fireworks...it's a tradition in this country lol. It all takes place once a year on November 5th, and if you look up at the sky, as far as you can see, people are letting off fireworks XD. It's known officially as Guy Fawkes Night (check Wiki) but colloquially as Bonfire Night lol. I didn't include the tradition behind it all in this story, 'cos it wouldn't make sense. Plus...it's kinda gory..
Please read and review! )