A Boy, a Dog Girl and the Night of Remembrance Lanterns: Part Four

Gratham and Helline were in heaven.

“A potion for all needs! Twenty four hour transformation, guaranteed! Be what you need to be for the night where you can be anything!” Gratham shouted from the booth he and his wife had set up on campus. Zack, Honey and Chista walked past, carrying their paper gourds, noting how both had transformed into bizarre winged fish people.

“What do you plan on going as?” Chista asked.

“I have a built in costume. It might be freeing to not feel awkward walking around with fur,” Honey said.

“I…have an idea,” Zack said. Around them kids ran and laughed, some in costume, some transformed with wings and tails and scales. Booths dotted the campus, many selling masks and costumes, others food and treats. It felt less like a place of learning and more like a riotous circus. The day was starting, and Zack was getting hyped.

As they neared the Phoenix dorm, they saw Vessria pacing before the front door. She wore a chaste looking robe, white and black, loose around her and covering everything but her face.

“I give her fifteen minutes and the woman can never…any time now, sis!” Vessria called up to the open second floor window.

“Sister,” Chista said with a cheeky grin. Vessria turned and bowed deeply.

“Blessed be the feet of the Wandering Traveler, children,” Vessria said with rare gentleness.

“Vessria the chaste nun. Glad to see you’re turning your life around,” Zack said. Vessria shot him a look.

“My dear sister got to choose our costumes this year. She thinks this is hilarious. I’ll be laughing while I strangle her if she ever LEAVES THE DAMN APARTMENT!”

Isadora strode confidently out the door. She was dressed in a deep burgundy suit, her hair stylized to its masculine best, and a well trimmed beard grown on her face. She smiled at them, bright white teeth flashing.

“Santa Maria, Isadora is a chad,” Zack said. He then looked over at Honey, whose mouth was hanging open. He gently pushed her jaw back up. “Down girl.”

“Have a good day, children. Vessria and I will be partying until dawn. I preemptively apologize for anything we sing at two in the morning,” Isadora said, leaning into her deep, manly voice. She winked and walked away with her sister.

“Can I say…” Zack started to say.

“Nope. Inside. Carving time,” Chista said, ushering them in.

*

Zack and Honey gripped their gourds as they sat at the kitchen table with Chista. The gourds themselves were light, with white flesh the consistency of paper yet also somehow hard and thick.

“So all you have to do is grip it and think of the image you want and the paper gourds will carve themselves for you thanks to the enchantment on it,” Chista said, lines cutting themselves into hers.

“I’m used to using a big saw tooth knife and scooping out guts,” Zack said as his began to carve itself.

“I liked the guts. They were tasty,” Honey said.

“Yeah? Then why did you throw them up each year?”

“Tummy trouble is worth tasty!”

“I’ll give you tummy trouble!” Zack said, tickling her belly. Honey began to squeal with laughter, grabbing onto Zack’s shoulders.

“Disgusting,” Chista sighed, barely hiding her smile.

“Hey, where’s Chistos? I’ve barely seen him the past three days? Is he skipping the lantern festival?” Zack asked as Honey settled back into her seat. Chista’s smile slipped.

“Father doesn’t skip the Night of Remembrance Lanterns. He takes it incredibly seriously. I’ve always celebrated it alone. He says the fun is for the young, but I’ve never actually had…”

“Well you do now, right?” Zack said. Honey bounced giddily.

“Right! We’ll celebrate with you, sister!”

Chista continued carving, blinking away happy tears.

*

Honey and Chista stared at Zack in shock. His transformation had been a secret for days. Now as they stared at his furry form, bright blue eyes peeking out over a muzzle which held a tentative smile, he scratched his big floppy golden retriever ear.

“I didn’t expect it to itch this much.”

Honey leapt at him, her tail wagging like a plane rotor, embracing him in the tightest hug of his life.

“You made yourself like me! Oh gosh, I never thought you would…sweetheart, this is the best…”

“Lungs…crushed…need oxygen…” Zack groaned through his muzzle.

“Down, both of you,” Chista said in her formal wizard robes. “Come on, lets go get some food and play some games before you two start getting frisky in the street.”

“No dog jokes,” Zack said as they began to walk.

“Wouldn’t dream of it. You’re such a good boy!” Chista said, petting his head.

“He is! He’s the best boy!” Honey agreed.

“This is what I get for doing something kind…” Zack sighed. Honey licked the side of his face appreciatively. Even through the fur Zack’s face turned beet red.

*

Chistos sat alone on the roof of the university as Savy VanVeer approached him. His eyes were focused on the distant setting sun, not on the festivities below.

“Another year, my friend,” Savy said.

“Another lantern. Byrne died. Natural causes. Surrounded by family.”

The sounds of children and games rang from the nearby booths. Somewhere down there were the children in his care.

“I’ve lived far too long. This curse…the day I can finally die is the day I finally discover true happiness. I’ve spent centuries atoning for my past deeds. I’ve fought wars. Become a hero. Had a child. And still…”

“Are those two your newest attempt at discovering happiness?”

The sun set below the horizon.

“It’s time.”

The people below began to release their lanterns. Magic flames carried them into the sky, each one carved with an image of someone who had been lost. Zack and Honey released theirs, images of their Earth selves carved into the gourds. “Goodbye, old me,” Zack said softly.

Chistos waited for the bells to chime. It was then he released his lanterns.

Thousands rose into the air. The sky was lit with the rising fire of the remembered dead. Chistos stood solemnly, his oldest friend clasping his hand as his memories and regrets rose to the stars.

“Chista, are those…”Zack started to say, staring in awe.

“Father takes the Night of Remembrance Lanterns seriously,” Chista said softly.

The boy watched the lanterns rise, tears hidden by the fur he had given himself as the full weight of the man who had taken them in made itself apparent. The night blazed bright as everyone, from boys to beasts to wizards, remembered where they came from.