Page 5 of The Twelve Nights of Halloheen

Chapter 3

Isla’s guide to The Twelve Nights of Halloheen (Excerpt)

The first night of Halloheen is called the Green Night and that’s when we put up the bulk of the decorations. The most important decoration is the small tree brought into the domicile for everyone to decorate. There should also be small leafy green plants hung in doorways and other types of green plants draped over furniture. Think of it like bringing the outside to the inside.

Tisuran

“What are you doing?”

Tisuran turned sharply to find Dalt staring at him from the doorway of the communal building. Before answering, Tisuran carefully set down the little tree he’d dug up earlier that evening. The tree’s small root ball was resting inside a hard edged, open top tool carrier and packed in with extra soil. The tree was theclosest to green they could find; although if pressed, Tisuran would have described it as a very dark yellow.

After he was sure the tree wouldn’t fall over, he turned to face Dalt. “It’s a Halloheen tree,” he explained.

“Halloheen?” Dalt murmured. Lakin, the human he was scent-bonded to, walked in at that moment. Without even looking at her, Dalt lifted his arms. She was quick to step into his space and snuggle her back against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and lowered his face to her hair. She made a soft contented sound as Dalt swiped a cheek across the top of her head. Tisuran could smell Dalt’s bonding oil as it soaked into Lakin’s hair.

The two couldn’t be more perfect for each other. Lakin was clever, and her indomitable spirit matched Dalt’s skill to get them out of whatever trouble Lakin’s plots and plans got them into. The love and comradery between them always made Tisuran jealous. Not that he wanted Lakin, but he wanted to find a partner to scent-bond that fit him as well as Lakin and Dalt fit together.

He was sure that could be Isla, but the last year had proven she was resistant to any of his efforts.

“Oh, I’ve heard about Halloheen,” Lakin said. “We didn’t celebrate any holidays in the colony I grew up in, but I heard Wimol did a big multi-day celebration every year.”

“Yes,” Tisuran said with an enthusiastic rattle. “Isla and I have only now returned from collecting items for the first night of Halloheen.”

“That’s tomorrow, right?” Lakin asked as she peered at the table holding the small tree and then down at the overflowing bag of plant clippings Tisuran had dropped on the floor. “What’s all this for?”

“We’re meant to decorate this room with those,” he explained, then pointed to the tree. “And everyone is expected to add colorful decorations to the tree.”

“I remember someone back home saying something about decorating a tree,” she murmured. “I think there’s supposed to be a star on the top.”

“How would we put a star on a tree?” Dalt asked her with a confused rumble and a glance out the door where the sun had long since set.

“Not a true star,” Lakin said with a laugh. “A stylized star. But it should be silver and reflective with five or more points.”

“I should be able to make a stylized star out of natic gel,” Tisuran murmured, thankful to Dalt for clarifying the type of star with Lakin.

“I’ll go talk to Zia about making some decorations,” Lakin said. Her growing enthusiasm was unmistakable. “I think everything is supposed to be super bright and glittery.”

That made Tisuran sound a brief rumble of amusement. “That will make Zia happy.”

Lakin grinned cheekily. “She does like all things sparkly. Is there a time set for decorating?”

Before Tisuran could answer, the main door to the communal building banged opened to reveal Isla carrying several repurposed parts boxes stacked higher than her head. With a distressed rattle, Tisuran rushed to take her burden, shocked at how much weight she’d been carrying. Isla was stronger than she looked.

“Hi guys!” Isla sang out in a cheerful voice.

Isla was always like this. Except for earlier in the evening, when she’d been scared and upset, Tisuran had never seen Isla act anything but merry. Zia had claimed Isla was happiness manifested. Tisuran was inclined to agree.

Isla’s kindness was the reason it pained him so much every time she refused his comfort. Most humans on Sorana picked partners, either other humans or Talins. Except for Isla.

After proving his prowess in battle by taking on the gorg, Tisuran wanted more opportunities to impress Isla. Perhaps the Twelve Nights of Halloheen was the perfect time to showcase himself. This could be the turning point, and Isla would recognize his value.

“…I mean, that doesn’t happen until the last night of Halloheen, but it’s still my favorite part. That’s when wishes are supposed to come true.”

Tisuran had been deep in his thoughts, so he only caught the last part of what Isla was saying. “I have a wish,” he mumbled.

Only Dalt heard him and his former military comrade and friend made a soft, sympathetic rumble that neither of the humans noticed.

“I have faith you can make your wish happen,” Dalt commented.

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