Submission (#2246) Approved

Sienna sighed softly as she put together the sparklers.
She wasn’t typically one to celebrate a new year - she’d make a quick resolution, and then be on with it, living her life regularly again. She’d even always make her resolution something exceedingly easy to complete - just to avoid feeling disappointed. You can’t ever feel the sting of defeat if your goal is impossible to fail.
The thing was, that was before she had actual friends. When Thistle had asked her what her resolution was and she replied with “drink more water,” they seemed… sad.
She didn’t see anything wrong about it. Staying hydrated was good for you - lots of other terraliens made resolutions about staying healthy, how would this be any different from that?
Her friends had believed that she didn’t have any kind of holiday spirit, though. Eventually, she got roped into coming to a fireworks show because of it, and ended up even promising to bring the sparklers.
At least Mesmer looked excited for it. She kept fluttering about the inside of Sienna’s terrarium, pawing at the glass. Maybe it would have been a good idea to get a treat for her beforehand… she seemed a bit too riled up today. Part of Sienna almost worried that the sounds of the fireworks would be too much for Mesmer.
“Hey, Sienna! Over here!”
Sienna’s antennae twitched as she heard Thistle’s voice. The other terralien, one of the friends who had gotten her into this situation, ran over to sit next to her on the small picnic blanket she had thrown out earlier. “Are you excited for the fireworks?” They asked, enthusiasm dripping from every word.
“Someone is,” Sienna replied, tapping at her terrarium head as Mesmer chirped inside of it. Thistle just laughed in response.
“Well, I hope by the end of it you’re just as happy - I promise, seeing the fireworks makes you so hyped for the new year!” Thistle waved their multiple arms around as they spoke. “Oh, wait— you really got the sparklers! Yes!”
Thistle grabbed one of them before Sienna could speak, but it seemed safe enough when they lit it up - the caterpillar in their vizor even grinned as it inched forward to stare at the lights.
Mesmer seemed to enjoy this, as well, fluttering her wings as she watched. Hmm. The fireworks haven’t started yet, but… maybe Sienna could feel just a fraction of spirit from this display.
She decided that she’d give it one more chance. Just this once.