“Good night! Sleep well!” Cirice leans up and gives him a gentle kiss on the cheek before twirling out of the room with a smile.

The night passes calmly in the Lunestre Household and the early morning sun peeks through the curtains of the myriad windows in gleaming golden rays. The smell of cooking food wafts through the house and the gentle sound of the river outside plays a soothing rhythm against the stilts below the house. Its calming and homey, an atmosphere of pure relaxation and bliss, an island paradise.

Cirice is in the small shrine in the house, saying her morning prayers to Mother Moon. Incense burns in the little holder on the small altar. She rises and goes to get everything ready for the day. The festival starts that afternoon and she’s determined to show her beloved new godfather the best her home has to offer.

As she gets up her father greets her at the door with a smile and hands her an instrument. She takes it with a confused expression and then he shows he's holding one as well. Wordlessly they both nod and go to sit on the front of the house and play a duet to greet the morning.

As always, Cyran’s night passed without much fanfare, and no visits from dreams. He awoke early to the first rays of the sun peeking through his window, and the smell of a home-cooked breakfast.

Waking up in a bed that was not his own, but a homey atmosphere that was not an inn, was momentarily jarring - Cyran briefly grabbed for his daggers, muscle memory, before remembering where he was, and that he was safe. As he woke up and got ready, it occurred to him that the mornings here were far more welcoming and homier than the ones from his old home in Eclipse City.

… Things couldn’t be more different here.

The thought lingered in the back of his mind as he dressed himself. Strange, wasn’t it, that Cyran felt more at home here than he had three centuries in a house that he’d been born in?

The thought made him laugh, though there was no humor in the sound.

He banished that line of thought for the time being. This holiday was meant to be a celebration of love, and for the first time in… gods knew how long, Cyran had people to spend the holiday with. And he had the festival with Cirice to focus on. There was no need for him to cloud the present with laments of the past, no matter how desperately they tried to cling to him, drag him down.

Once he was dressed, Yeux fluttered up to him, curling up on his shoulder. Cyran ran his finger over the bat’s fuzz, a fond smile on his face before he pulled himself to his feet and moved to find Cirice and her parents.

The sound of distant strumming got his attention while he wandered through the halls, footsteps barely making any noise as to not alert anyone to his presence. Curious, he made his way closer to the source of the sound, rounding the corner towards the front of the Tsukinaga-Lunestre household when he spotted Cirice and Master Seto sitting on the wooden platform overlooking the grounds surrounding their home, instruments propped in their laps, strumming away together, completely in sync.

Cyran paused, hiding in the shadows for fear of intruding on this peaceful moment. He was merely content to listen to the sounds of strings echoing through the quiet glade, allowing himself to be washed away by the music. Only when they finished did he emerge from his hiding place, a small smile on his face as he approached them.

“That was lovely.” He praised. “What instrument is that?” It almost looked like a lute, but not like any stringed instrument he'd ever seen.

“Ohayo! Good morning Cyran!” Cirice squeals with delight as he joins them. “This is a shamisen, would you like to try? Chichi taught me to play! We practiced for years. I’m so glad you’re up! The festival will be starting soon! If we go ahead and start getting ready now we should be able to get there as it starts!”

She hops to her feet, passing her father her instrument and looking at Cyran with large, excited eyes. “Yukata are a little tricky the first time you wear them and you’ll need help tying the obi, let’s get you dressed!”

With that she kisses Seto's head as he nods and grabs Cyran's hand heading back to his room to help him get properly attired. Its a flurry of skirts and belts and perfectly coiffing his hair that takes almost a full hour and then she disappears to get dressed herself, taking even longer before returning in a yukata covered in stars.

"You look great! I think we're ready for festival time now! I hope you're hungry! There will be tons of food, games, and even fireworks at the end of the night! Oh and shopping! Sooooo much shopping!"

“Good morning, dear.” He was happy to see her so excited, showing him her instrument and babbling on about it with her usual enthusiasm. It had been some time since he’d been greeted by her smile upon waking up. It was like a balm. “The shamisen? I’ve never had much talent for music, but I’m more than happy to listen to you and Master Seto.”

He nodded respectfully to Master Seto while Cirice handed him the instrument.

“Oh, yes, the festival. I’ve been looking forward to it.” He said warmly, though he worried about tying this obi she was talking about. Well, he supposed he was about to find out - Cirice was already grabbing his hand and leading him through the hall, a flurry of activity and joy as always. Cyran allowed himself to be led, not really fighting back against being dressed and styled. He would take being overwhelmed by her enthusiasm any day as long as it meant he still got to spend time with her on mundane days like this.

When Cirice was satisfied with what she’d done with his hair and his yukata, she disappeared to her own room before returning in a dress emblazoned with bright constellations.

“And you look beautiful.” Cyran nodded while Cirice spun around with joy. “I’m ready for the festival if you are… and fireworks sound lovely.” And the shopping… it was a good thing he’d brought extra money in anticipation of this. He pat her head, careful not to ruffle the hair she’d spent so long styling. “Whatever you want to do. It’s your day today. Just… don’t expect me to win many prizes at the games. I’ve never been good at those.” He added with a small laugh. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t try, if it meant seeing a joyful smile on her face over something as silly as a stuffed bear.

“You look even better than me, Cyran!” Cirice beams, an absolute paragon of joy and excitement. “It doesn’t matter if you win, just that we have fun!”

She links arms with his and together they head for the front door. Lyleth and Seto are there as well, dressed for the festival as well. Together the four of them walk down a long path towards the village. There are lights and paper lanterns strung between the trees and as they get into town proper there are streamers and stalls all full of goods and food and fun.

The entire city is populated with locals in brightly colored traditional dress, kimonos and yukata of all colors and designs. The smell of sakura and jasmine mixes with the smell of fried foods and fish in the air. An electric, excited feeling can be felt from all those present.

“Welcome to the Hearth’s Day festival, Cyran!” Circe jumps up and down on his arm. “Let’s do everything!”

And everything they did.

Hours passed as Cirice led him from place to place, trying new foods and playing new games he’d never tried before. The air was alive with the sound of laughter and the bright lights shining on them from paper lanterns. He tried to win Cirice some prizes at game stalls, but marksmanship was not his forte, so archery games with little toy arrows were out. He had more success catching little fish with a paper net, scooping them into a small bag that he tied with a cord. It wasn’t a stuffed animal or a toy, but the act of trying to win something for her in itself was fun.

He wasn’t sure how long they stayed out wandering through the stalls, watching little plays, and dancing around. It must have been hours. Long enough for the sun to rise in the sky, and begin to set, painting the air in soft hues of soft reds and oranges. Cyran felt exhausted, and laden with bags of treats and trinkets, but happier and lighter than he had in a long time.

He almost didn’t want it to end.

But time, as always, proved to be the worst thief of them all, and day stole away into night.

The day had been exhilarating, and full of life and love - but, apparently, they weren’t done yet. As other villagers began to filter out of the festival grounds, Cirice explained that there was one display left in the festival. A show of fireworks over the ocean, a Festival of Lights to bring this celebration to an end. Cyran followed her to the ocean, ready to watch the display.

Cirice takes all the trinkets and goodies from him and carefully puts them in her bottomless bag, embarassed that she’d let him walk around so laden without thinking to lessen his load. The day had been everything she had wanted it to be and more. It had truly felt like spending time with her own flesh and blood parents and the father she’d gained in her adventures. She wanted more than anything to make this day special and the look on Cyran’s face told her she had succeeded.

Now for the finale.

Heading down to the beach she takes off her wooden sandals and leads him through the sand all the way up to the water’s edge and they sit, not caring if the sand got on their clothes. Out in the distance a single boat was barely visible, a darker dot against the deepening night sky. They sat in anticipation until a shrill whistle broke the tension and with a cacophonous boom bright colorful lights filled the sky. Once the show began it entranced them and Cirice leaned into Cyran’s shoulder as she looked towards the sky.

All too quickly the show ends with a great and colorful finale. Dozens of fireworks all exploding at once, seemingly filling the entire sky with dazzling bursts. As the smoke falls slowly into the sea people around them start slowly getting up and retreating home, ready to rest after a long, eventful day.

“I’m so glad I got to spend today with you. Its a day I’ll never forget. The best festival ever. Thank you, Cyran.” She says softly. “Next time we’ll bring Iryla too, and the rest of our family.”

She leans up and kisses his cheek gently and smiles at him with all the love and adoration that a good father merits.