"You’re as eccentric as ever, big sis Moa." Mary replied with a grin.

  Moa Yono let out a laugh, her glasses slipping slightly down her nose as she adjusted them with the hand around Dama. “Eccentric, maybe—but always right!" She exclaimed whilst bringing the two closer to her beaming face. "Now, come on! You have to help me keep an eye on the booths. I’m sure something’s up—maybe the village’s unseen forces are conspiring!”

  Mary rolled her eyes in a fond, sisterly way. “Moa, you’re impossible. You’ve been reading too much of those thriller horror books again, haven't you?” She teased, her lips curling into a smile. “Maybe one day, we’ll get you a detective’s hat for your next investigation.”

  Moa responded with mock seriousness. “I do need a detective’s hat, don't I? A good investigator is always prepared for anything—like mysterious disappearances of festival food or sudden pranks on the chief.” She turned to Dama with a wink. “You just wait. I’ve got a hunch, and it’s never wrong.”

  Dama chuckled, feeling the familiar warmth of affection for Moa, who always made things a little more fun with her obviously for show, outlandish theories. She was like an older sister to him and Mary, always encouraging them to laugh and keep a light heart with her outgoing behavior, no matter how serious the day might be.

  “Well, if I get a chance, I’ll keep an eye out for suspicious activity.” Dama replied, his tone playful as he shrugged. “Though, I’ve got my hands full with the booth I'm in charge of with Ms. Kina, so you’ll have to go on without me for now.”

  Moa pouted dramatically, but her eyes still sparkled with amusement. “Oh, fine, I guess I’ll have to go investigate alone,” she teased, her voice rising in mock offense, “but if you’re sure..." She shot him a dramatic look, then laughed, clearly enjoying her own little performance.

  Mary chuckled, shaking her head at her older sister’s antics. “You’re hopeless, Moa. But you know Dama’s booth is just down the way. Make sure to stop by and say hi.”

  Moa smiled at the mention of Dama’s booth, her eyes softening for a moment before her playful energy returned. “Of course! I’ll swing by after I see where Jaden is hiding out. Something tells me he's the source of my hunch!” She said before running off into the crowd of villagers, leaving Dama and Mary stunned, then laugh aloud.

  "Well, I think that's my cue to leave," Dama said after their laugh together, "can't leave all the work to Ms. Kina."

  “That's fine,” Mary said, her smile growing fond, “but don’t cause too much trouble, alright? Make sure to visit me and Dad too—our booth is going to be so much fun this year, promise!”

  Dama nodded. “I’ll be sure to stop by.”

  “Good!” Mary grinned, crossing her arms in a playful gesture. “Now, get going, partner! Let’s make sure those animals and plants are ready for the kids.” She said with a mock country tone, then laughing at herself. Dama chuckled himself and waved as he began to walk towards Kina's booth.

  Later, when the village square was now fully set up, the children began to gather in anticipation of the festival’s start. Dama, Mumu, and Nini were ready with their booth, while Kina was ensuring everything was set for the eager kids arriving soon.

  The melodic chime of the village bells echoed through the square, drawing the bustling crowd toward the central stage. Vibrant ribbons strung along the poles swayed in the breeze, framing the scene with a sense of celebration.

  Children tugged at their parents’ hands, eager to see what the day had in store. The villagers gradually settled into place, forming a semi-circle around the raised wooden platform where Owain Inin now stood.

  Dressed in his ceremonial robes, the villagers looked on in awe as Owain exuded a calm and reassuring presence. His salt-and-pepper hair gleamed under the noon sun and his sharp eyes scanned the crowd, softening as they landed on familiar faces. He raised his hand, and the lively chatter subsided into an expectant hush.

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  “Good morning, everyone.” Owain began, his voice carrying across the square with ease despite its weathered state. “Welcome to this year’s Enohay Spirit Festival, a celebration of our village’s past, present, and future! Today, we honor the five founding families who made our lives here possible!" He announced with his entire being, causing a roar of cheers to erupt from the crowd.

  Nodding with a huge and prideful grin on his face, Owain then gestured towards Himon Koul and his family. "First, let us give a round of applause for the Koul Family, who built the very foundation of the village, and continue to do so even to this day!"

  "Next, the Leir Family, with their generational instructors and amazing breakthroughs of natural medicine! While the only child of such a line isn't here, please do not mistake his absence for neglect, for he is still working behind the scenes. In fact, he was the one who helped the most when it came to preparations for the event this year!"

  "Third on the list is the Yono Family, who we have to thank for not only documenting and exploring most of what Enohay Valley had to offer, but also being the village smiths! Without them, we would not have the luxury of most everyday items, such as glasses, we have access to without needing the support of outside kingdoms!"

  "Then we have the Alder Family! Without their ancestors bringing their animals and farming knowledge along with them, or their descendants following in their footsteps, we would be goners!"

  "Last, but in my eyes," Owain announced with a tinge of slyness in his tone, "certainly not least: the Inin Family!"

  Before Owain could even get another word out, a wave of cheers burst out from the crowd, including from the previously mentioned families. The respect the Inin Family held was palpable.

  Owain chuckled as he cleared his throat, a tear welling up in both eyes to the cheers. "Indeed, indeed, we all know how the Inin Family were the ones who led everyone from the destruction of Damascus Kingdom and into the safety of Enohay Valley, marking it as the settlement we live in today! Without either of the five founding families, who knows where we'd be right now! Their legacy lives on through us, and it’s our responsibility to preserve and pass on their spirit of unity, resilience, and kindness, which is why we celebrate today!”

  The crowd broke into another applause, and Owain gave them a moment to express their enthusiasm before continuing. “This year’s festival will follow our beloved traditions, beginning with the first phase: the educational booths. Each booth will be hosted by a notable figure—or figures—within our community, who will teach our children valuable lessons about life, creativity, and the world around us!”

  Owain gestured to a cluster of brightly decorated booths lined up near the square’s edge. Each was adorned with colorful signs and props, hinting at the activities to come. The children in the audience began to buzz with excitement, whispering to one another about which booths they wanted to visit first.

  “To keep things organized,” Owain explained, “the children will visit each booth in small groups. Our guide for today, Caera of the Goten Family, will assist in ensuring everyone has a chance to participate fully." A comment that led to some in the crowd to look to Caera off to the side, who was politely waving in her usual shrine maiden outfit. "Parents, feel free to explore the festival grounds or lend a hand at the booths while your little ones are busy.”

  He then gave a warn smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Now, let’s introduce our hosts for this year’s booths.”

  Owain began to list each booth, gesturing toward its hosts as he called their names. “First, we have Kina Alder and Dama Jinbia, who will teach about the plants and animals that thrive here in Enohay, and how to care for them in a responsible manner!”

  Dama felt a surge of nervous pride as the crowd’s gaze shifted to him and Kina, some of them accompanied by applause. Mumu and Nini, standing nearby, waved their stitched paws at the children, earning delighted giggles and shouts.

  "Next is Himon and Mary Koul, who will show our young ones how to channel their creativity into building and crafting!" Koul tipped his hat to the crowd with a smile whilst Mary twirled a lock of hair, feeling the same nervous pride as Dama.

  “Jaden Dirk, our resident merchant, will share his knowledge of life beyond Enohay Valley and the treasures of the outside world as the third booth!” Jaden, leaning casually against his booth, gave a charming wave to the crowd.

  Feeling the strain on his voice, Owain coughed before continuing. “Then there is Yuyin and Moa Yono, who will help our children identify and understand the plants, herbs, and ores found in our valley, emphasizing the importance of recognizing what’s safe and what’s not!” Yuyin, a rather chubby and tanned man, and Moa both fist bumped with giant grins.

  Finally, Owain clasped his hands together. “And last but not least, I’ll be hosting the final booth, where I’ll share stories and fairytales that have been passed down through generations. It’s always my favorite part of the festival, and I hope it will be yours too!”

  The crowd erupted into enthusiastic applause. Giving them a moment, Owain stepped back, raising his arms to quiet them. “With that, the festival’s first phase is officially underway! Let’s give our children an experience they’ll never forget!”

  A subsequent cheer erupted with the children surging forward, eager to begin their journey through the booths. The parents and adults began to disperse, either assisting at the booths or enjoying the festive atmosphere.

  Dama felt a tug on his sleeve and turned to see Kina smiling at him. “Ready to make this the best booth these kids will ever visit?”

  He grinned, his earlier nerves fading in the face of her confidence. “Yeah! Let’s do it!”

  -

  Next: (Extra Chapter 27) Alder Farm Insight