Lucy had never really attended a festival before, but this year the cafe she worked at had a booth open, and of course, she had to work it. Not that she minded too much. She had spent the majority of the night serving hot and cold coffee drinks, passing out business cards to curious customers, and helping prepare small treats to sell. Lucy's cat, Taboo, was right alongside her throughout the entire evening, though she couldn't help but feel uneasy, like something was tugging her away from her work, whispering to her and enticing her to follow it. She refused however and decided to work.
Among the crowds she had seen a familiar face, the face of her newest neighbor, Taji. She hadn't known him long, but they had shared in brief chats in the hallway between their abodes. Lucy, being as shy as she was, had not really managed to hold an actual conversation with the man, but Taboo certainly kept his attention. She waved to Taji as he passed by the stand, though he seemed busy, seemingly looking for something, or someone. She brushed it off as she watched him walk away and disappear into the crowd.
When it was about time to release lanterns into the night sky, Lucy got off work. She picked up a lantern and headed down to the water, climbing into a boat, and rowing out to the middle of the lake, passing a strange girl who seemed fixated on the moons reflection in the water on the way. Lucy paid no mind to it. When it was time to release the lanterns, Lucy held onto hers for a moment longer, tying a ribbon with a tiny golden bell to it, onto the bottom of the lantern. As she released it the tiny bell rang out softly as it was blown around by the wind. Taboo batted at the sky, trying to play with the already far away lanterns as they floated higher into the sky. Lucy smiled as the reflection of the lanterns on the water danced and spiraled, deciding festivals weren't so bad. Even if there were way too many people.