"Forgive me, Kalipso. With everything that has been going on, it completely slipped my mind."
Kalipso seemed close to crying when she heard that.
"B-But... you're still coming right?! You HAVE to attend!! We worked so hard on it!!!" Cried Kalipso.
"I wouldn't miss it. When is it again?" Asked Storm.
"Still months away. It kicks off on the first day of spring. " started Kalipso.
Storm nodded his head.
They were currently in the middle of autumn, most of the crops had been gathered and safely stored away and firewood had been stocked up.
As this was their first winter in this new region, Storm's preparations had been extensive in case the winters in these mountains were more severe than anticipated.
Although the majority of the city would be safe inside the mountains itself, he was concerned about the elves and Kitsune that built their city quarters outside the mountain.
As well as a few of the Maticore, dragon and griffins communities, who had built their dwellings high up the mountain slopes.
Storm ordered that space be set out inside the mountains in the event that the winter was harsher than anticipated and they needed to shelter the outlying citizens inside the mountain quarter.
The truth was that even though he had disguised their trip as a family outing, there was actually another reason why he wanted to visit the outlying settlements.
During the winter months, they were expecting communication to die down completely between these outlying settlements.
He wanted to ensure that their communities were prepared for the winter months.
If they weren't, he would have no choice but to evacuate those settlements back to Sanctuary.
An act that could potentially leave Sanctuary vulnerable to counterattack.
"I've got a trip planned for myself and my family tomorrow, but we should be back in the next day or two. After that we're just planning to hunker down and wait out the winter like everyone else. We'll be there for the event." Stated Storm.
"You should bring your family too!! There will be plenty of kid friendly events for Orian to enjoy as well!!" Exclaimed Kalipso.
Storm nodded his head.
Storm was just about to go rejoin his family when something suddenly occurred to him.
"Uhh... Kalipso...Didn't you say that the Druidic ritual of Renewal is going to be a part of the event?" Asked Storm.
Kalipso nodded her head.
"I did? What of it?" Asked Kalipso.
"Isn't that the ritual where they release a large surge of nature magic and the event tends to devolve into...?" Asked Storm.
"Yes...!! Yes it is, but don't worry!! The druids assured me that they will take precautions this year!!" Reassured Kalipso.
Storm was understandably skeptical.
The ritual was created by the druids to revitalize the environment after the winter months.
They released a large surge of magic at specific points in the continent to create a overlapping chain that covered the entire continent.
The magic promoted and accelerated plant growth and caused animals to become increasingly 'social'.
Unfortunately the magic didn't stop at just animals and the entire event tended to devolve into one big orgy as the participating druids were consumed by their passions.
Even creatures like dragons weren't completely immune to the effects of the magic, and many believed that the ritual was directly responsible for the large increase in pregnancies during the spring months.
"What kind of 'precautions ', Kalipso?" Asked Storm.
"You know, the ritual isn't actually as bad as the stories claims it is!" Exclaimed Kalipso.
"Really?... So the ritual doesn't turn thinking creatures into horny beasts desperate to release their urges on the nearest person?" Asked Storm sarcastically.
"No!!! Of course it doesn't!!!" Exclaimed Kalipso.
Storm raised an eyebrow.
"Ok... yes... it kind of does, but it isn't as bad as people makes it out to be! It encourages dormant attractions and makes people braver in pursuing their love interests. But it doesn't completely override their ability to restrain themselves.
They won't force themselves on anyone if that person spurns their advances.The effect is similar to being slightly intoxicated from wine or other alcohol, or from an romantic atmosphere." Explained Kalipso.
Storm sighed. "Can't we persuade the druids to drop the ritual this year?" Asked Storm.
Kalipso shook her head.
The ritual is integral to their religion and beliefs, Storm. It wouldn't be fair that everyone else gets to practice their beliefs while they alone are the ones censored." Stated Kalipso.
"'Everyone else' doesn't bewitch people's minds with unrestrained wild magic with their practices. " stated Storm.
"Clearly you've never attended a Kitsune Spring Blossom festival. " muttered Kalipso.
"What was that!!?" Asked Storm.
"N-Nothing!! Look, we'll take precautions, all right... It won't get out of hand!! I'd stake my life on it!!" Stated Kalipso.
"It's not your 'life' I'm worried about!" Stated Storm
'Sigh' "Fine!! But if people complain afterwards, I'll be directing them to your door!!" Threatened Storm.
Kalipso beamed with excitement.
"You won't forget this!! This is going to be the best celebration of the year, people will be talking about it for years to come!!" Exclaimed Kalipso.
Kalipso didn't know it then, but her words were almost prophetic at the time.
Storm left her to continue with her preparations and rejoined his family. By this point Aurora had already given Orian the news of their plans and he was practically bouncing with excitement.
"Seemed like you two were having a pretty intense conversation back there?What was it about?" Asked Aurora.
"Just some 'cultural differences', I may have forgotten about the Spring Equinox plans for this year and I needed to set some ground rules." Explained Storm.
As Storm watched Orian rush off to deliver the news to his friends, he suddenly stated.
"Maybe we should seperate him from his friends during the Druidic portion of the event?" Suggested Storm.
Storm!! He's not even a year old!! He won't be affected by the magic!!" Exclaimed Aurora.
She booped him on the snout.
" 'You' on the other hand we might need to restrain! You haven't exactly been able to control your passions of late!!" Joked Aurora.
Storm smiled mischievously.
"What did you have in mind?"
"Hmmm.... thick chains tying you to the nest... Some candles for atmosphere... and I might need to force feed you while you are restrained..." teased Aurora.
"Hmmmm, perhaps this ritual won't be as unwelcome as I first thought? Could definitely enjoy the perks. " Joked Storm.
She gave him a light smack on his face.
"Do I need to remind you that I'm already carrying your child?" Retorted Aurora.
"What are mommy and daddy talking about?!" Suddenly asked Orian in front of them.
Causing the couple to almost jump out of their skin.
"N-nothing, Orian... Go back to playing..." Stammered his parents.