The sun dipped lower on the horizon, its warm hues giving way to the deep blues of evening. The cobblestone paths of Windfield glimmered faintly under the first flickers of the magical streetlamps, their greenish glow shimmering like distant fireflies. The lamps, fueled by some arcane mechanism unique to the village, lit up one by one, marking the approaching night.
Emma carried Anna on her back, her footsteps steady against the cobblestones. The cool breeze wove through the streets, carrying with it the scents of blooming flowers, faint wood smoke, and the tantalizing aroma of festival treats being prepared. The elf girl's silvery-white hair fluttered in the wind, mingling with Emma's own as they moved past neighborhoods tucked behind carefully tended hedgerows and wrought-iron gates. Emma's own home, with its familiar wooden gate and ivy-strewn walls, passed by on her left, but she didn't pause.
The silence between them felt heavy, broken only by the occasional creak of Emma's boots against the stones. Finally, Anna spoke, her voice soft but clear. "Do you live around here?"
"Yeah," Emma replied, her tone casual. "Just a few blocks back, to the left."
She hesitated before asking, "Sorry if this seems rude, but... were you born like this?"
She felt Anna's weight shift slightly on her back. Glancing over her shoulder, Emma noticed the girl's expression darken, her green eyes clouded with sorrow. Emma quickly added, "You don't have to answer if it's too personal."
Anna sighed, her voice quieter now. "Yes... I was born this way."
"Oh," Emma murmured, unsure of what else to say. The girl's sadness seemed to seep into her, and for a moment, the weight on her back felt heavier. Wanting to shift the mood, she asked, "What's your name?"
Anna's lips quirked into a faint smile. "Anna. And you?"
"Emma."
They fell into silence again, the quiet only interrupted by the rhythmic crunch of Emma's steps and the occasional rustle of leaves overhead. The path wound leftward toward the towering oak tree that stood like a sentinel at the crossroads.
Emma broke the silence this time, her curiosity getting the better of her. "So, did you come here for the Green Festival? Or was it something else?"
Anna's voice brightened slightly. "It's kind of both. My family's lineage traces back to the founders of Windfield. For generations, we've celebrated the Green Festival, even though we don't live here permanently. My parents told me they used to bring my older siblings every five years, but this is the first time I've been able to attend."
The faint hum of festival activity in the distance was growing louder. The sounds of cheerful chatter, music, and the clinking of mugs carried on the evening breeze. The Green Festival had begun in earnest, and Emma's thoughts drifted to her own family. They'd be expecting her soon, and if she didn't return, they'd undoubtedly worry.
Anna's voice pulled her back to the moment, soft and almost inaudible. "This is my first festival, and yet... all I'll do is sit and watch. I'm just pathetic."
Emma felt Anna's head droop against her back, and something about the girl's quiet despair struck a nerve. Without thinking, she shifted her shoulders sharply, causing Anna to jolt slightly and bump her head against Emma's back.
"Ow!" Anna protested, clearly annoyed. "Why did you do that?"
Emma grinned, glancing back just enough to catch the elf's indignant expression. "Don't feel sad while you're on my back. It makes you heavier."
Anna blinked, momentarily stunned, before muttering a soft apology, though her head drooped again. Emma rolled her eyes and shifted her shoulders once more, shaking her passenger.
"Stop that!" Anna said, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice.
"If you think you'll be all alone when you sit there, don't worry," Emma said firmly. Turning her head slightly, she added, "I'll sit next to you."
Anna's eyes widened in surprise, and she hesitated before responding. "But we just met. Why would you want to sit with me? I'm... I'm not any fun to be around."
Emma sighed, shaking her again for good measure.
"Please stop shaking me! It's making me dizzy!"
Emma chuckled, her tone softening as she spoke. "I'm not sitting with you because I feel sorry for you. I'm doing it because I want to. It doesn't take just one day to get to know someone, and I'd like to know more about you."
Anna's voice was barely a whisper when she replied. "Oh..."
The massive oak tree came into view, its sprawling branches silhouetted against the indigo sky. Beneath it, the cobblestones glimmered in the soft glow of lanterns strung among the branches.
The hum of the Green Festival drew closer, the air alive with the promise of celebration. Emma adjusted her grip on Anna, her steps steady and sure. Together, they continued toward the heart of Windfield, their journey illuminated by the magic of the evening and the quiet understanding that had formed between them.
Under the canopy of the Green Festival, a friendship began to bloom.