I woke up to birds chirping just outside my window, their little songs making my ears twitch. The soft rustling of leaves swayed with the morning breeze, and I snuggled deeper under the blanket, letting out a sleepy whimper. But then I remembered—
Today's the festival! My eyes shot open.
Finally. Finally!
For five whole years, the festival hadn't been held in our village. I'd overheard the grown-ups whispering about it for weeks, all serious and busy-faced, but I wasn't fooled. I knew what it meant. Bright lights. Games. Music. Food. Magic. Seven whole days of it. A full week of sparkle, excitement and sugar. I had counted on my fingers. Twice.
It always rotated between the different territories of Beastworld—wolf, bear, panther, rabbit, and fox—and by some cruel twist of fate, I'd always been too small to travel far. But this year, it was our turn. The festival grounds would be just past the blossom field near the river bend. I'd imagined it a hundred times—dancing, music, food on sticks, sparkly lights everywhere... and now, it was real. It was today. And for the first time, I'd be there too. No more pouting at home or watching my brothers bring back souvenirs. This time, I got to be the one who made memories.
"I've never been to a festival before," I told my plush bear solemnly that morning, clutching him like we were off to war. "They always said I was too small or the festival was too far or something-something 'not safe.' But this time? This time it's in our village, and I'm five now. That's a full paw of fingers! I'm practically a grown-up."
Today was just the first day—and if it already felt this amazing, I didn't know how my heart was supposed to survive six more.
Mom had been up since dawn. I could hear her humming cheerfully as she moved around the house like a breeze with legs. She poked her head into my room with a smile brighter than the sun.
"Good morning, sleepy cub," she cooed, holding up a dress that shimmered like morning dew. "Guess what? I picked out something perfect for you!"
I blinked the sleep out of my eyes. The dress was soft pastel pink, embroidered with tiny flowers and trimmed with silver thread. "It's so pretty... Like, sparkly pretty."
"You like it?" she asked, eyes twinkling.
"I love it! It's like wearing the sky at sunset," I breathed, already reaching for it.
As Liora helped me into the dress, her fingers moved with such care, like I was a porcelain doll. "My little Aria, you look just like a princess from the old songs."
I don't feel like a princess, I thought. I feel like a muffin wrapped in frosting. But a happy muffin.
She brushed my hair and tied it with a ribbon that matched the dress. "You might meet some other female cubs today—maybe even some boys."
I wrinkled my nose. "Boys?" I whispered like it was a bad word.
Liora chuckled. "Not scary ones. Just other little cubs like you. Sometimes they get close, and if both sides agree, they become future fiancés."
"Fiancé?" I squeaked, scandalized. "I can't even tie my shoes properly yet!"
"Oh, don't worry," she laughed, kissing my forehead. "Your fathers won't let anyone get near you without passing... a very long test."
That sounds about right.
Just then, my five fathers appeared like summoned bodyguards. Ursan crossed his arms and gave a proud grunt. "She looks perfect."
"Of course she does," Selwyn purred, inspecting me like I was a fine gemstone. "She's our daughter."
Rafe gave me a wink. "No boys."
"Unless they bring cake," Jax added mischievously.
"I'll still inspect the cake," Alaric said firmly.
I giggled. "You guys are worse than guard dogs."
Thorne, Kieran, Rael, and Finn arrived next, eyes wide. Kieran whistled. "Whoa, Aria. You look amazing. Like—festival queen amazing."
"You sure you're not sneaking sugar behind our backs?" Rael teased, poking my cheek.
"If I was, you wouldn't catch me," I said proudly. "I'm small and sneaky."
Finn offered me his arm with an exaggerated bow. "Shall we escort the most adorable cub in all the tribes?"
I took his arm like a little lady. "Yes, let's go see the world!"
...
The path to the festival was blooming. No, really—flowers literally opened as we passed, as if the whole world knew today was special. The sunlight peeked through the trees in soft, golden beams, and the wind carried a faint mix of honey, smoke, and... was that grilled meat?
I waddled forward in my fancy shoes, which were both sparkly and slippery. "These are shoes for looking cute, not walking!" I muttered, nearly tripping over a pebble the size of a peanut.
Thorne caught me easily, scooping me up. "Careful, sunshine. Wouldn't want you face-planting before the fun even starts."
"I would've recovered with style," I huffed, puffing out my cheeks.
"Of course," Kieran grinned. "You'd land, throw peace signs, and pretend it was a dance move."
Okay, that did sound kind of awesome.
Rael leaned in beside us. "Let's play a game while we walk. Every time we spot someone in a silly hat, we count it. Winner gets extra dessert."
"I like this plan," I said solemnly. "And I will crush you all."
"Someone's competitive," Rafe chuckled.
"She gets it from you," Selwyn said, raising an eyebrow.
"I accept no blame and no responsibilities," Rafe replied cheerfully, tossing me a flower crown he made from wildflowers. "For the princess of the day."
I gasped. "It's perfect! It matches my dress!" I gently placed it on my head. "Do I look like I rule a kingdom?"
Alaric, ever the composed one, placed a hand over his chest. "You are our kingdom."
Cue the collective "awww" from my ridiculous, over-the-top, lovable family.
Jax snorted. "Ugh, that was so sweet I think my tail curled. Save some drama for the evening fireworks, Your Majesty."
We finally crested the hill—and there it was.
The festival.
Colorful stalls lined the main path like a river of light and laughter. Banners in every tribe's colors fluttered above us. Beastfolk from all over roamed the paths, tails swishing, ears twitching, laughter rising in waves. Music played from somewhere deep inside the crowd—drums, flutes, something stringy and fast-paced that made my toes wiggle. The scent of roasted nuts, caramel, and fruit juice filled the air. It was everything I dreamed of and more.
"Ohhhh," I breathed, eyes wide. "This is... this is like a painting. No. It's like I'm inside a painting."
"You want to walk now?" Ursan asked, looking down at me in Thorne's arms.
"I need to prance," I said, wiggling until Thorne put me down. "There's prancing to be done."
I dashed ahead like a sparkly blur, twirling as my flower crown tilted sideways and my dress flared around me. "Festival queen coming through! I demand snacks and sparkles!"
"Stick together!" Liora called, but she was laughing, too.
A small crowd turned to look—and a few cubs actually clapped as I struck a twirl-and-curtsy combo I had definitely not practiced in front of my mirror.
One little boy with fluffy tiger ears blinked at me. "You're really pretty."
"Thank you," I said graciously. "You have very polite eyes."
His tail wiggled. "Wanna see the games? There's a bean toss!"
My brothers appeared out of nowhere like shadows with big grins and scary auras.
"No," they all said at once.
"Whyyyyy," I groaned. "He just wants to play!"
"Exactly," Kieran said darkly.
Finn stepped in front of me and patted my head. "Let's go to the stalls area first."
"I'm being handled," I mumbled under my breath.
But truth be told—I kind of liked it.
The festival had only just begun, and already, it felt like I was glowing from the inside out. Surrounded by color, by music, by the warmth of a hundred smiles—and my ridiculous, protective, loving family—I knew one thing for sure:
This was going to be the best day ever.
...
The festival felt like magic and mischief had spilled all over the village.
I twirled in place, arms outstretched, eyes wide as the music swirled around me. Lanterns bobbed in the air like jellyfish, glowing soft golds and rosy pinks. Stalls lined the village square, each one bursting with colors and smells and sparkly things that screamed "Aria, come here!"
I gasped dramatically, pointing. "Mama, look! Is that—are those starberry candies?! I've waited my whole life for this moment!"
Mama laughed, brushing my bangs aside. "You've waited five years, sweetling."
"Exactly! That's a long time in Aria years."
Five whole years of hearing stories about the festival. Five whole years of being too little, too sick, or too sleepy to go. But this time? This time I was big enough. Brave enough. Dressed in the prettiest silver and pink dress with little foxes embroidered on the hem. This time… I was ready.
I grabbed Kieran's hand and dragged him to the glowing candy stall. "I demand payment for my suffering. One starberry candy, please."
He ruffled my hair with a snort. "You're such a dramatic fox."
"I learned from the best." I batted my lashes. "You."
Behind me, Jax fake-gagged. "Too much sibling love. My ears are melting."
"Let them melt," I said, already chewing. "This candy is worth it."
Next stop: the ring toss game.
I sprinted over the moment I spotted the sign: PRIZE FOR WINNERS: BIGGEST FOX PLUSHIE EVER.
My brothers followed like a trailing pack of overgrown puppies.
"You sure you can toss that far, fluff?" Rael teased, leaning down.
"I'm five now," I replied seriously. "That means I'm strong, skilled, and… stylish."
I approached the booth with intense focus. A wooden elk spun slowly in the center, its antlers waiting like a challenge.
I whispered to myself, "Okay, Aria. Imagine it. You, victorious. That plushie? In your arms. Destiny awaits."
The boothkeeper handed me three rings. I held them like sacred tools of fate.
Toss.
First one hit the mark. A perfect loop on the antler.
The crowd cheered.
I beamed. "Did you see that?! I'm amazing!"
"Toss the next one before you crown yourself," Selwyn called.
Second toss—clink. Nailed it again.
I squealed. "Sir Fluffington the Third is coming home with me!"
"Third?" Alaric raised an amused brow.
"The first two were tragically lost in the laundry," I whispered. "This one will live a long, plush-filled life."
When the boothkeeper handed me the plush fox, I hugged him so tight his button eyes nearly popped. I held him up like a war hero returning from battle.
We danced through the rest of the festival—me, Mama, all five of my dads, and my brothers like an adorable stampede of chaos. I played music with the fox tribe kids, ate too much sugar, and painted paw prints on my cheeks.
By evening, I was perched on Ursan's shoulders, watching the fireworks explode like stars being tickled. I leaned against his head, yawning.
"Papa?"
"Yes, cub?"
"This was the best day of my life."
He chuckled. "Just wait 'til tomorrow."
I grinned sleepily, clutching Sir Fluffington. "tomorrow, I'm winning two plushies."
Then I dozed off, the night sky humming above us and my little heart full.
...
Our little bean Aria finally gets to attend the village festival after waiting five whole years (which, in five-year-old terms, is basically a lifetime). This chapter was such a joy to write—fluffy, chaotic sibling energy and all the sparkly first-time festival vibes. 🎉💞
Let me know your favorite part! And if you were at the festival, what stall would you visit first? 👀
Thanks for reading, lovelies~ see you in the next update! 🌙🧺