🌻🪬

"Skylaine, hurry up — we're supposed to be there soon,", Telamon called out through the house.

"Yeeeah, I'm almost ready...", Skylaine replied, finally coming down the stairs. She looked neat in a white sweater and blue skirt, accented with a bit of silver jewelry.

Builderman had invited the pair to Roblox HQ to celebrate Thanksgiving, and they had accepted — on the condition that they would help out. They had agreed to that, too.

"Come on, we're almost late, and I have to help with the turkey," Telamon urged, giving Skylaine’s sleeve a gentle tug.

"I know, I know.. I'm on potato duty...", she said with an annoyed sigh, though there was no real malice behind it.

As soon as they stepped out of their house, Skylaine conjured a large cloud for them to travel on and immediately settled onto it.

Telamon paused, finally seeing the potential she had reached... Pride filled his eyes-

"Big B, are you coming?", Skylaine called out. Snapped out of his thoughts, Telamon quickly sat down on the cloud. "Yeah, sorry," he replied quietly and hurriedly. They arrived just in the nick of time. The moment they walked through the door, Builderman greeted them both with a big hug. "Great, just in time! The kitchen is right over there, follow me!"

He led them to the kitchen, where all the meal preparations were taking place.

"He always has to go so overboard..." Telamon muttered to Skylaine, smoothing out his robe, and if someone would've paid close attention, he may or may not have been blushing a bit.

"Well, I like it!", replied Skylaine.

Telamon was preparing the turkey alongside Doombringer and Builderman, while Skylaine, Brighteyes, and Tarabyte were making the mashed potatoes and gravy.

After two hours, the meal was ready, the table was set, and everyone was chatting and eating.

The atmosphere was filled with the aroma of turkey, but also with something emotional.. a sense of belonging, a feeling of joy.

Wine glasses were raised and songs were sung.. though a storm raged outside, the serious cares of life were forgotten within the HQ.

Suddenly, a glass clinked.

"If I could have your attention for a moment, I’d like to say something!" Telamon announced, bringing all conversations to a halt. His eyes wandered to Skylaine: "This festival is all about gratitude. And for the first time in my life, I’ve found something, or rather, someone, I’m truly grateful for. That person is my little sister, Skylaine. She showed me what really matters in life, and I’m incredibly proud to walk this path of learning with her as my mentor. Thank you."

Applause filled the room. Skylaine stood up, tears in her eyes and a smile that said, "Thank you for seeing me," and hugged Telamon — the only physical contact he accepted without objection.

The celebration slowly drew to a close, and the admins gradually left HQ.

Telamon and Skylaine were heading home, too, when Builderman’s voice stopped them.

"Before you go, I have something for you, Skylaine... a reminder to be grateful for the very thing that made all of this possible for you," Builderman said with a gentle smile, handing her an airplane keychain.

It looked exactly like her old plane — clearly a handmade gift from the builder himself.

Skylaine jumped from joy, gave Builderman a tight hug, and attached the charm to her jewelry.

Telamon couldn't help but smile at Builderman’s thoughtfulness.

As they finally stepped out of HQ, Skylaine had an idea: "Wow, this gift really reminds me that I haven't seen my family and friends in ages... I should go visit them!"

Telamon stopped in his tracks. "Skylaine. Little sister, please trust me when I say this: that’s not a good idea," he said hurriedly, hoping Skylaine would simply drop the subject.

"You’re so boring... I still have my old life, don’t I?" she asked, with a giggle at the end.