Fifteen-year-old Yangchen of the Western Air Temple was busy with the other nuns preparing for the Fall Equinox celebration, like how the Solstices where the holy days for the Fire Nation and Water Tribe, the Spring and Fall Equinox were the same for the Earth Kingdom and Air Nomads. Since every nation also represented a season when their element was the strongest, it only made sense the four days out of the year were considered the holy days of each nation.
Yangchen's secret younger sister Sky was bouncing about in happiness as this was her favorite time of year. Sky and her older sister had to be very careful when interacting. In Air Nomad society, children were raised communally and weren't meant to know who their biological parents or siblings were. However, there were plenty of people who disagreed with this custom. Mothers would go to great lengths to find out where their children were.
Yangchen may not know who her parents were. But she had found out she had a younger sister named Sky. She had taken it upon herself to keep watch over her and help her with her airbending training. Sky received her nontraditional name because her eyes were the same shade as the skies above. "Yangchen, are you excited about tonight's celebration?" the eight-year-old asked eagerly.
"Please calm down, Sky. Remember, we don't want to attract the elders' attention?" her sister warned her in a quick whisper.
The young brunette took a few deep, calming breaths, "Sorry I got overexcited. I love this time of year!"
"I do as well, Sky. But we can't even hint in public we're related. I know its unfair, but we must be cautious."
"Yes, I know."
"Very good. Now please help me finish setting up the altar to our patron spirit, Aella," as they hurried over to an altar decorated with orange candles and various flowers. They'd brought flowers that symbolized air, wind, lavender, and anemones. Aella, also known as the wind dancer, was their patron spirit. She was known to dance and paint the colors of the skies above. Graceful, kindhearted, and full of playful energy.
They looked at the sculpture of her with great interest. The figure was a petite dancer with long, flowing hair. A luxurious feather tucked behind her right ear. She was clothed in a two-piece plus barefooted. She said she had cloud-white hair, sky-blue skin, and silver eyes. Around her neck was an amulet made of Mangano calcite. She was a very beautiful spirit all around.
The sisters added a few bouquets and extra candles for tonight's ceremony. They had already polished the statue up that morning and intended to finish making the altar perfect. The other nuns were busy baking apple pies and practicing sky-dancing as part of the celebration. Everyone was also thinking about what to write on a piece of parchment to burn.
All four nations had a similar custom of writing down their regrets of the past year and hope for the future. Then, they burn them with their sacred candles as an offering to their patron spirits. This appeased their holy spirits, blessing them with spiritual rebirth, erasing the past year's sins, and helping them start fresh for the new year. Also, all four holiday days were a chance to honor their ancestors and give them thanks and well wishes.
The rest of the day went smoothly. Everyone enjoyed the great apple pies and the brilliant sky dancing during the twilight hour. After sunset, they began to burn their parchment. This went in order of age, oldest to youngest. All in all, everyone felt hopeful for another beautiful year for their people to come.