Festival of Death, Day 1: Riekko

The weather was the most beautiful one, when Karhunkarva leaded her little loaf towards the town. Far away over the mountains she was able to hear the drums, harps and flutes and smell the festival food cooking in dozens of ovens. Riekko under her was vibrating excitedly, and her handler had great difficulties to keep the kukuri from not dashing straight away to the town. They had to cross a steep mountain path before they had a chance to lay eyes on their destination. Karhunkarva pulled the bridle a little, just so she could observe the town. It was beaming with life, and Riekko lift her eyes, hearing the festival music from miles away. Her tail started to wag a little, following the rhythm the drums provided to her. Karhunkarva ordered Riekko to move, just so she wouldn't start bouncing again.
''Today we'll have a tons of fun, Riekko'', the miniature centaur said, scraching the skin under kukuris ear. Riekko answered by purring loudly. This was a first festival of Death she could ever see, and it was already looking promising. The town was decorated with colorful flags, and every pole had small tribute hung on them. It was a small skull, sweetened with beautiful feathers. Most of the tributes were offered for the statue of Death, but they also remained as part of decoration, bringing color into the town. Karhunkarva also had her own share of tributes with her; she had hunted down the small animals for food, and kept their heads for this day only. Riekko often teased birds and chickens, but afterwards she and her son collected the feathers so the miniature centaur could make tributes out from them. Karhunkarva landed from Riekko's back, and took off kukuri's tack. Then she proceeded to release her other kukuris from cart they were pulling.
''Alright now, stay in groups! I don't wanna hear any crying during this festival. If you must go to the other direction than me, it's your own responsibility'', Karhunkarva said and her loaf listened her quietly. Soon after Riekko and Karhunkarva were left with each other. There was so much to do and see, she couldn't blame her curious kukuris at all. Karhunkarva let out a sigh and looked for a place for their cart.
''Come on, Riekko. We need to find a safe place for our stuff'', she said, and kukuri helped her handler to push the cart away. They ended up leaving it just outside the gates near the entrance.

Riekko stepped in to the town, and watched in awe all the colorful decorations and happy people around her. She was able to feel in her chest the light mood, today nothing could spoil the fun. The town would celebrate the Death and spring during the whole moon, but Karhunkarva decided to take her kukuris in just for the first day, which usually was the most colorful and peaceful one. She didn't have idea she would visit town multiple times during the moon though. Riekko wagged her tail so hard she almost knocked down a pile of apple pies near her and her handler saved them in the last blink.
''I'm sorry, she is in festival for the first time'', the miniature centaur explained to the vendor, when suddenly an amber kukuri rushed towards the other side of the yarn. Karhunkarva had hard time to keep up with her, but fortunately the kukuri didn't raise anymore havoc. She just stopped near the treat stall, smelling all delicious pies, cakes and tarts. The kukuri was drooling, she had never seen anything like that before. Karhunkarva trotted near her and looked the bakings for a small moment.
''Could I buy a dozen ryemeal breads and two strawberry tarts?'' she asked.
''Sure thing, young lady!'' the vendor said and while he was packing the said goods, Riekko stared her handler with the most intense look she has ever seen in those green eyes.
''Don't think this will become common. But this festival is all about experiences and memories'', the handler said, reaching for the paper bag and digging up one of the tarts, ''And since this seems to be good experience for you...'' She offered the cake for Riekko, who licked her lips inpatiently. The kukuri gave a one look for her handler, like asking for the permission and when Karhunkarva nodded, she chomped the tart in a whole. Big dove sat down, munching the cake happily and looked like she could almost cry, when the delicious strawberry filling spread across her mouth. Karhunkarva let out a hearty laugh, when she watched her kukuri enjoying her treat. The festival sure was all about the experience and memories, but she never thought she would leave the town with the memories like this... Karhunkarva reached up and gave a small scratch on her kukuri. Riekko licked her lips with such a blissful face that she almost fed the another tart for her. They left the baking stall after the miniature centaur paid her ryemeal breads, and the handler wasn't too careful in using money today, just to give Riekko good memories of this day.