Summer Festival
Ven grips the walnut, winds up, and throws…
The walnut soars through the air, arching toward the dragonfly panel—
And misses.
The panel darts aside at the last minute, as quick as any flesh-and-blood dragonfly, and Ven goes prizeless.
⚘✾❁❀⚘
Aja, Rem, and Venetus walk along the edge of the carnival through the school's gardens.
Ven finds it difficult to conceal their disappointment, and sits down somewhat dispondantly beside a fountain. They pluck a lilac from a nearby bush, turning it over in their hands.
"That was a tough one." Rem takes a seat beside them. "I think I only won because I went for one of the slower ones."
"Yeah," Aja agrees, spreading her skirt with her hands. She's foregone her typical vest and starched button-up in favor of a breezy summer dress, and the gauzy purple fabric shifts under her fingers. "I was going for the dragonfly too, but it was too fast."
"I was actually trying to win it for you," Ven says quietly. The fountain almost drowns out their words. They pluck another lilac, and twirl the stems together.
At a small whispered spell, the flowers stretch, twisting to form a headband. Ven holds it out to Aja. "Maybe you'll accept these instead?“
"Oh, thank you." Aja arranges the flowers among her hair.
"They match your dress," Ven says.
"So they do." She curtsies, suppressing a soft giggle, and holds her hand out to Ven.
"They’re much better than any stuffed animal, anyway."