“Look, Chen! We match!”

A flicker of a smile flashed across Chenaniah’s mouth. He had always been amused by his younger brother’s constant enthusiasm.

“We should go to the Festival of Lights like this.” Ialu grinned beneath his new starling mask. Aside from his pelt, the brothers were almost identical.

Chenaniah’s small grin vanished, “Ialu… I don’t think I’ll go to the festival tonight.”

Ialu jumped in surprise. His mouth became firm… but not angry. Ialu was never angry, “But you always miss these celebrations. It’s going to be a new year… at least come to this one.”

Chenaniah didn’t budge. His ear twitched. His herd animal nature longed for other deer. For parties. To watch the gods put on their amazing shows. To dance and just keep dancing.

“No, brother. I don’t like to be around other deer.” He responded.

Ialu raised an eyebrow, then sighed.

“You can go by yourself,” Chen shrugged, “I’m not stopping you. In fact, I’d prefer to welcome the New Year on my own.”

Ialu rolled his eyes, “You can’t be this antisocial. Just come tonight. One night. And if you get scared, I’ll be ri-”

“I’m not scared, Ialu…”

Ialu grinned again, lay down stubbornly, and was silent. The two brothers were quiet, ears flicking back and forth, picking up the sounds all around them. Blue starlight filtered through the cracked walls above. A cloud of bats would often flitter by, snatching up gnats and other impurities in the air. An owl hooted.

“Beautiful night.” Ialu whispered.

Chenaniah looked up at the starry sky, barely visible through the leaves high above.

“Yeah.” He answered.