Hello, Fluffy Forest Dweller,
🌳 A first glimpse of Solstice Storms 🌩️
(also availabe to read on the member site. pw: forest)
The soft, rhythmic thuds against the ceiling made me smile as I ran a shuttle between the threads on my loom and pulled the beater against the growing weave. Tavi—my best friend and dwelling-sharer—was dancing around his room, no doubt trying on every tunic he owned to find the perfect outfit for tonight.
He went through this ritual before every outing or gathering. He’d slip on tunic after tunic, twirling to test the flow of the fabric, admiring how each piece framed his lithe body in the shimmery surface of his silvergrass mirror cloth. Then came what he called a colour check—holding each one to the window and comparing them to nature’s palette.
I lowered and lifted the heddles in time with Tavi’s footsteps and sent another shuttle through. Choosing my own clothes for the Solstice Circle had been easy. I’d laid out my Tavi-approved winter set last night. One that had carried me through the last five winter solstices. Sensible. Simple. Steady.
A single outfit would never do for Tavi. The very idea would shock him. His choice had to reflect his mood, the temperature, the sun’s stance in the sky, and the colouring of bark and leaves.
Despite all our years as friends and dwelling-sharers, I couldn’t begin to guess how many outfits he owned. More than any elf in the village, certainly. No one else needed an entire room for their clothes.
A joyful shout echoed overhead, followed by a final thump that announced he’d made his choice. I secured the shuttles to the loom and ran my hand across the geometrical design in Ma’s favourite colours. The pattern was coming along beautifully. Her birthday wasn’t for another two moons. Plenty of time to finish it.
I pushed the loom away and gazed out the window.
The setting sun cast deep shadows across the grass and the purple-barked trees. A golden haze drifted over the river, tinged with deep orange warmth. Earlier, as we’d left our workshops, a similar haze clung to the trunks. It wouldn’t surprise me if Tavi came down dressed in shades of warm purple with hints of that glow.
He might possess more clothes than any elf in the village, he also contributed the most to the barter-tree. And that was after his seasonal swapping parties, where elves traded pieces that no longer filled them with joy. His words.
He worked hard for his collection—bartered with exquisite carpentry pieces he made from his allotted offcuts. He often worked deep into the night, earning him more cuts and calluses than he cared to admit.
I rose as Tavi descended the stairs and smoothed a wrinkle in from my tunic. It was time to go.
He circled me in the hall with an appreciative nod.
“You always look great in green.”
“Thank you,” I said, as if he didn’t tell me that every other moon. “You look exquisite.”
I’d been right. Layered tunics in shades of purple, with a dark orange cloak hanging off his shoulders. His eyes lit up as he twirled, his golden waves dancing like sunlight on the river.
“Don’t I just?”
His joy was infectious. I couldn’t help but smile as he offered me his arm.
“Ready?”
I wrapped my cloak over my shoulders and linked my arm with his. “Ready.”
“Well then, let’s go dazzle some elves at the Circle.”
✍🏻 What is Blaine doing this week?
With December looming, all the Black Friday deals, and a lack of focus, I've been very good at procrastinating and distracting myself, lately. But I've managed to find some focus again, and am back to writing and revising.
While I've been pretty good at ignoring most sales chatter these past few weeks, I did gift myself a css course.
I've been watching Kevin Powell's youtube tutorials (did I mention procrastination?). Not just because I've been meaning to fix some responsiveness issues with my website—yes, I coded my website myself—but because I enjoy playing with css, and I like the way he talks about it.
I'm looking forward to learning more from him. :)
What youtube/podcast/other channel is your procrastination go-to? Hit reply and tell me why I should give it a try.
Also hit me up if you have comments about my website, so I can add that to the list of changes.
Until next week,
Blaine
ps: Last day to get A Snowmonster for Midwinter FREE at Payhip with coupon: Cake0day
💥 ATTENTION ITCH.IO FANS💥
It's Black Friday Creator Day!!
Aliens, Smith and Jones , How Six Saved the Frogs , and A Snowmonster for Midwinter are 60% off .
Or buy all three for $5!
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