Sparkling Future

Dove hummed to themself as they buzzed about the little apartment, tidying the little things as they waited for their tea to steep. Their ears perked when the sound of confident footsteps grew near. Quickly and eagerly, they faced the door. Jackal had said she was bringing back a fun surprise - very effectively piquing Dove’s curiosity. Burrowgatory was so full of intrigue, the surprise could be anything.
Without any reverence for the anticipation of the moment, Jackal opened the door quickly. She glanced around as she stepped in. When her eyes caught Dove’s, she grinned.
Dove wasn’t quite sure how Jackal could capture a nonchalant energy and still come off as excited.
“Hey,” Jackal greeted as she closed the door, holding a shopping bag to her chest and hiding a portion of it in her jacket. “Sorry that took longer than I thought it would, but I bet you’re gonna like what I brought.”
“Don’t worry at all!,” Dove chirped. “I was just tidying up a bit so that we have a clean start to the new year.”
“Glad you mentioned that.”
With a mischievous flair, Jackal emptied the contents of the bag onto the room’s freshly empty coffee table. Out clinked metallic sticks with a unique coating on one end.
“Sparklers!,” Jackal announced, beaming. “A huge part of Mochi Moon! Figured we might as well go all out for your first Mochi Moon here.”
“It’s already been exciting so far!” As they leaned forward to examine the sparklers, the peripheral glance of a coaster reminded Dove of their tea. “Oh! I’ve got tea going right now, I’ll be right back!”
Jackal gave an amused, affirmative hum as Dove scurried off to the kitchen. She haphazardly returned the sparklers to their bag and deposited them next to the box of fireworks that she’d left at the door. She figured it’d be best to start small with sparklers before setting off bigger, louder fireworks.
As darkness settled over Burrowgatory so did an electric air of excitement. Its denizens largely came spilling out of their homes with an indulgent eagerness. Jackal and Dove were among these eager celebrators, with Jackal carrying her firework box and Dove joyfully holding onto the bag of sparklers until they found a nice open space.
“Mkay, hold out your sparkler,” Jackal instructed once the pair were settled. As Dove eagerly held out the sparkler they held in their hand, Jackal flicked on her lighter and ignited the coating with a flourish.
In an instant the sparkler erupted into a fountain of light.
Dove’s face of wonder was illuminated by the dancing sparks. Jackal caught herself distracted by the way their eyes reflected the sparkler’s flare, though she was quickly returned to reality by Dove’s look of inquisition.
“Are you going to light your own sparkler?,” they asked.
“Oh- yeah, sorry. I just wanted to make sure you were enjoying yours.” With that, Jackal plucked a sparkler from the bag and lit the end. In the same manner, the hopes of a bright future sprung forth from the thin silver stick.
Dove clasped their free hand over the hand that held the sparkler. “What a lovely tradition!,” they chirped. “It’s like we’re beckoning a future of wonder.”
“I never really-” Jackal began, but cut herself off once she saw the mischievous glint in Dove’s typically gentle eyes. With her own sly smile, she began “what are you-?”
Light trailed behind them as Dove took off. “Run with me!,” they called over their shoulder.
Jackal laughed. “Just don’t crash into anyone!,” she called ahead, rushing after them, beaming.
With playful competition and an abundance of laughter, the two of them greeted the future with their light, together.