The Bright Guild has expanded a lot, founded multiple towns (two and a half is totally a multiple) and helped a lot of people. But only a few become family. Darya and Thecia being very strongly on the family category.

Speaking of which, the triplets' blood family is from a city called Borras, the domed jewel. Their grandparents invite the triplets and the guild for a visit during a festival. Do they want to come along?

Thecia is getting more adorable with each passing day.

Well, Theocritus has mentioned it, and Darya is eager to see it. And Thecia seems eager as well. So: Yes please!

They are glad that they decided to come along! The Bright Guild entourage journeys North.

From outside the main feature about the dome is how massive it is. Made from petrified wood interlacing glass, it rests against a mountain that's only barely taller than the structure itself. The airship fast approaches and when they dock inside... well, the dome is still pretty damn huge. The urban landscape stretches beneath them with roof gardens layered atop pyramidal buildings. There are wisps of clouds on dome's topmost layer.

The triplets' grandparents come to great them all, holding their son, who is not much older than Thecia. Theocritus is delighted by his uncle. His uncle is delighted at pulling Theo's hair.

Well. Darya will be giggling at that child's antics - not too dissimilar to Thecia's own obsession with Theo's hair. She is also trying to be polite and non-objectional. Just because she's better at being confident, doesn't mean she's great at new people.

The toddler is definitely a good ice-breaker though. There's common ground!

There is! Adorable common ground! The Borras contingent is charmed! There is some official this and that about the government officials welcoming the delegation and some dreadly boring official things that the triplets and their adoptive mother have to attend, but leaves Darya and Thecia time to settle down and get ready for the festival proper. Their room is small and the building is made of cold stone, but everything is nicely decorated. They have glowing flowers like the ones she is already used to, but in a wider variety of colors and shapes. There is one that's just a single bulb standing from a flower plot and can be adjusted to illuminate the table or the bed. The stone floor is covered in soft woolly carpet in elaborate geometric patterns that match the city's tendency towards squared pyramids.

It's pretty amazing! And Darya is definitely thankful for not having to do any of the official things, and instead spends her time playing with Thecia and admiring the room.

That should be enough to keep her occupied until people swing by to escort her down the festival square. The place is filled with colors, music and games to play.

Wow. It's pretty impressive. Darya has absolutely no idea where to start.

There are various games where you can throw things to gain a small wooden toy or candy. Games of luck where you can spin things or pick the right line to pull so you can "fish" a small box with a random prize. There is an ice skating rink. Musicians demonstrating their skill. An artist that can carve wooden figures of people in seconds. There is a challenge where people with Aestes-shaped compete against Hibera-shaped people to keep a block of ice unmelted. Various kinds of food, including one person that appears to pickle things instantaneously. Theocritus can be found at the obstacle course racing against a handful of other individuals.

She tries a couple of the games, and then takes Thecia to cheer on her Uncle.

Thecia's favorite and best Uncle (according completely unbiased sources) falls flat on his face at making a spectacular jump, but still manages to get third place. Another guild member gets first. Theocritus laughs along everybody else.

Darya is definitely laughing about the fall, and Thecia is delighted that Theo made third - or possibly just that she can see him. It's a little hard to tell.

Theo bows gracefully and joins the rest of the crowd. It's Zephyr's turn to run. He spots and approaches the two. "Having fun?"

"Yes," Darya says as Thecia holds her arms out to Theo demanding to be picked up by him. "It's...very busy, but it's all so nice!"

Theo picks up Thecia. "I know. I am kinda of proud that my family came from this place. Oooh, we should get ready for the dome to light up for the night."

"Yes," Darya agrees, hooking one of her hands into his elbow. "It sounds wonderful, I can't wait to see it."

Zephyr's race ends (he gets fourth place, but does not trip over at any point) and then it's time.

As the day progressed, the abode above them turned dark and now it's like a pitch black night.

Then there is a spark coming from "east", it's spreads over the dome in swirling arcs, leaving behind brief sparks of color. Then the flowers blooms like thousands of stars in a clear night sky. Notably, there is a structure hanging from the silly, which glows a solid piece of white in the shape of a crescent moon. It's fast, but beautiful and accompanied by the bands all singing the same musical piece. An echoing melody that's almost melancholic, but hopeful.

Oh. Wow. Darya is definitely enthralled, staring at the spectacle with wide, awestruck eyes. She does occasionally look to check Thecia is okay, and point things out to her daughter. Not that she really needs to. Thecia is thoroughly delighted by the show.

It's a delightful show and a delightful place. Good thing they have a few days to enjoy this.

Yes, yes it is. She's pretty effusive in her thanks for them bringing her with them.

They wouldn't dream to deprive her of all this fun and wonder. Hug.

Everyone that was brought over is very happy.

(Also, this city's library is very extensive.)

-Did someone say library? She can spend time there, right?

She absolutely can! They are going to exchange/copy books and Sofia will love to get recommendations.

Well, Darya is very glad to give her some! Also to get a bit lost reading, but that's a hazard of libraries.