Gift for Champagne

The festival grounds were alive with laughter, music, and the rich scent of delicious festival treats. Among the lively crowd, Champagne and Ayla, sitting comfortably on the Stelciar's head, wandered through the colorful stalls, taking in the breathtaking spectacle of the celebration.

 

As they strolled, Champagne’s gaze landed on one of the wooden stall. There, arranged in a neat pink bundle, were a delicate Single Flower with white petals carrying a soft glow. His blue eyes lingered on them, admiration flickering in his expression.

 

Ayla noticed his longing stare. She tilted her head slightly and asked, “Does that flower interest you, Champagne?”

 

He quickly shook his head, a sheepish smile tugging at his face, “It’s pretty, but I don’t have enough Comet Dust, unfortunately.” He pointed towards the small sign hanging from the stall.

 

 

Ayla hums in response, her gaze flickered between Champagne and the flower. Without another word, she tucked the thought away in her mind.

 

As the night deepened, the two continued to enjoy the festival, but Ayla’s heart was set on a secret mission to surprise her friend.

 

The next morning, she made her way towards the beach. The sand was warm beneath her feet and the sound of the ocean waves accompanied her in her search. Under the daylight, she spotted a faint glimmer near the shoreline. A single Comet Shard lay half-buried in the damp sand. Carefully, she scooped it up and placed it in her pouch.

 

But she needed more.

 

Ayla then dove into the sea. The water was fresh, enveloping her in a world of calmness. Her eyes scanned the seafloor, searching between corals and cracks. A bright glow caught her attention—a few Comet Shards nestled between the rocks near a sunken cave. She reached out, carefully gathering them, while being mindful not to disturb the fishes that swams around her.

 

Ayla emerges from the water with a satisfied smile spread across her face. Still, she needed more to reach her goal.

 

She ventured towards a cave not far from the beach, where only the daring wandered. The air inside was cool with the cave walls glimmering faintly with water droplets. It wasn’t long before she found another hidden cluster of Comet Shards embedded in the one of the stones. She pried them free, feeling the satisfying weight of her prize in her pouch.

 

After a final sweep of the area—with checking behind rocks and near tidepools—Ayla had gathered enough Comet Shards. And with care, she then transform her Comet Shards into Comet Dust, the final step of her plan.

 

Clutching her pouch filled with Comet Dust, she returned to the festival that night and searched for the stall that had caught Champagne’s eye. The bundle of Single Flowers still sat there. Ayla approached the stall and placed the exact amount on the counter.

 

“I’ll take the flower, please,” she said with a knowing smile on her face.

 

The stall owner nodded, carefully wrapping the delicate flower in a protective cloth before handing it to her. Ayla accepted it gently, holding it close as she prepared for the final part of her plan.

 

Later, as promised, Ayla and Champagne met at their usual spot—a small clearing near the festival. Champagne approached, his wings lightly brushing against the cool night air.

 

“Ayla! There you are,” he greeted warmly. But as he got closer, his eyes widened in surprise. “Wait… is that—?”

 

Ayla smiled, extending the Single Flower toward him. “You kept looking them last night, so…I got them for you!”

 

Champagne hesitated, his gaze flickered between Ayla and the flower. His hands reached out, carefully accepting the gift. “You…got this for me?”

 

Ayla nodded, watching as Champagne marveled at the delicate petals. He was silent for a moment, as if trying to find the right words. Then, with a soft chuckle and tail flicked in amusement, he continued, “I didn't expect this tonight, but thank you! I'd say this is the best thing I got today.”

 

Ayla beamed, pleased with his reaction. But then, Champagne’s brows furrowed slightly as he inspected the flower more closely.

 

“Wait… is it just me, or is this flower glowing?” he asked.

 

Curious, Ayla leaned in and gently parted the petals. Her sharp eyes caught something nestled at the center of the bloom—a hidden Comet Shard, faintly pulsing with light.

 

Both of them blinked in astonishment.

 

“Well, this is unexpected,” Ayla laughed, plucking the shard from its hiding place. “I guess it wanted to surprise us!”

 

Champagne shook his head in amusement. “Looks like you got more than you bargained for.”

 

Ayla twirled the glowing shard on her small wing before slipping it into Champagne’s paw, “Then this is yours, too!"

 

Champagne chuckled before suddenly bowing down and gestures for Ayla to sit on his head, “Come up. I owe you a proper celebration for this.”

 

Ayla raised a brow. “Oh? What do you have in mind though?”

 

Instead of answering, Champagne spreads his wings and in one swift motion, took flight. Ayla barely had time to react before he carried her through the open sky.

 

Around them, the stars scattered like silver dusts, painting the sky in an endless sea of wonder.

 

Ayla sighed at the view, allowing herself to relax as the cool air rushed past her, “I have to say that this 'proper celebration' of yours is most certainly the most beautiful idea of the day,”

 

Champagne beamed at her words, “Glad you think so!”

 

As they flew over the festival, their laughter mingled with the sounds of celebration below, the flower still safely tucked in Champagne’s grasp—a quiet reminder of the thoughtfulness behind the gift and the unexpected surprises the festival had in store.