Submission (#7000) Approved

The gentle wind combs through the balding trees, plucking away at what dried leaves are left on their branches. Cotton stood patiently at the lonely intersection. They were fixated on one of the signs indicating the westward lane. It swayed with the leaves, missing a critical nail to keep it steady. If it weren't higher than Cotton could reach, they would have fixed it themselves.

But as the thought of fetching a ladder crossed their mind, a familiar voice and pitter pattering of feet drew them to turn around.

“I'm here!” A shorter, much flashier Terra was running as fast as his little legs could bring him towards the intersection.

Cotton gave a casual wave, “I was beginning to wonder if you'd forgotten to come!”

“Oh you know how I am, always fashionably late!” Mary puffed.

Cotton shook their head and asked, “Did you bring something to pay for entry?”

Marty clumsily dug in his bag as he bounded the last few steps towards Cotton. “Sure thing! Voila~” Marty struck a triumphant pose and presented Cotton with a singular metal can.

“....Cranberry sauce? By itself?” Cotton replied, skeptically.

“Mhm, it's the minimum requirement of 6 servings! Plus, I bet nobody else will be bringing this. I'm really doing the cranberry lovers a favor.” Marty defended.

“We’ll see about that.” Cotton remarks, and with that they made their way down the westward lane. It was a short trip, but enough time for the two friends to catch up with each other. They had both been busy lately and missed sharing company. Soon they had arrived at their destination.

A large, decorative, extremely colorful archway marked the entrance. Behind it, a building sized tent donned with string lights and leaf garlands. Even from a distance, the nostalgic scents of the autumn holiday seeped out of the canvas structure. The Leaffall Faire has arrived, and it's open for business!

Upon approaching the archway, Cotton and Marty were met by a large Terra. The ferris wheel in her visor spun excitedly, and the endless stream of confetti floating from her form flurried anew. “Welcome, welcome back! Good to see you again Cotton!” She swept them up in a quick embrace, which Cotton excitedly returned. They had been coming to this faire since they were little, and she was like an aunt to them.

Over their shoulder she spotted Marty. “Oh and you've brought a friend! Hello hello, I am Carni Buttersworth, the ring leader of this establishment!” She gently pulled away from the hug to offer a hand towards Marty. He accepted the hand enthusiastically and gave a firm shake. “And I'm Marty! Nice to meet you Ms. Buttersworth.”

Carni pulled back to get a good look at both of them, leaning on her cane. “Well I'm sure Cotton has filled you in on the basics, but just in case I'll give you a quick run-down!” And with an exaggerated motion she unfurled a large poster out of thin air in front of them. The lettering was fancy but legible, and it offered colorful illustrations of joyous Terras and plenty of foods.

She read out the rules printed on it, pointing at each point on the poster with her cane. “Unlike some of our other events here at the Buttersworth Carnival, we do not accept a single grub or pupa during the Leaffall Faire! All you need to bring for entry is a food item able to feed at least six individuals! Homemade, borrowed, or store bought, as long as it's decently edible, you're in!” With that she allowed the parchment to roll back into itself, disappearing as it all snapped back together.

“I'll go first.” Cotton declared, plunging a hand into their backpack. Out came a large rectangular block wrapped in cloth. They untied the top and let the cloth fall away. Inside was a beautiful loaf of focaccia bread, meticulously decorated. “I used my own veggies and flowers from my garden! I had a great yield this year. There's two more loafs in my bag.” Cotton informed proudly.

Carni excitedly clapped her hands. “Wonderful! I'll definitely have to snatch a piece of that later, it looks delicious.” After properly admiring the bread, she turned to Marty. “And you?”

Marty very casually pulled out the canned cranberry. “I can't cook for the life of me, and I figured not many people brought this!” Carni leaned forward to read the label. “Oh! Wonderful! We have in fact not gotten any cranberry sauce yet. Just in time too, a few visitors have been asking if there would be any. Great choice!” She remarked. Marty turned to look at Cotton over his shoulder, the worm in his visor striking a sassy pose of victory. Cotton rescinded their previous remark with a wordless double thumbs up.

“Huzzah! You both pass with flying colors, enjoy the Faire!” Carni stepped aside from the archway and motioned for the two to walk through.

The inside of the tent was a sight to see. There were twice as many string lights inside, giving everything a warm glow. It was large enough inside to house 300 Terras at most, and it seemed to be nearing full capacity. Old friends and friendly neighbors greeted the both of them, along with the occasional new visor. Lining every wall was a never ending line of tables, piled to the edge with the most food either of them had ever seen.

“Wow, they really went all out this year! I don't remember a year where the tent was this full.” Cotton remarked. Marty nodded in agreement, in awe of the tradition that his friend had introduced him to.

Cotton led Marty to the marked area for the sauces so he could place his offering. The bread area was not much further away, and soon they had found themselves a spot at one of the many large, sturdy dining tables in the middle of the tent. Soon the feast would begin!