Page 108 of Unravel Me

It’s only when we stop there that I remember Renato is the mayor. As soon as he gets out, people approach him, all dressed in various costumes representing forest creatures or beings from fantasy tales. I see goblins, orcs, elves, trolls, druids, drow, dwarves, and plenty of animal masks too: wolves, foxes, lynxes, cougars, bears…

When Renato walks toward the central podium, I notice that many people bow to him, as though everyone recognizes him despite his disguise. Silvio follows him, then Gianni and Emilio.

Mauro and I are the last to join them.

The music quiets as Renato steps onto the podium and takes the microphone.

"My dear friends, as always, we’re here to celebrate the coming winter solstice! I wish you all a happy holiday season, good health, and prosperity! Thank you all for gathering here and for being part of this wonderful community. There will soon be more changes, but all of them for the better. New people will be joining us, people who will be a perfect addition to our community. You’ll find out everything soon, on New Year’s Day, and I hope you’ll celebrate with me as our community continues to grow stronger!"

Cheers and applause rise from the crowd.

Renato then delivers another dozen or so sentences in Italian or Sicilian, but it’s difficult for me to tell which. He speaks that way for a while, and I can see that people understand him, so apparently there’s a sizable local community that speaks the language.

More applause and cheers erupt from the crowd.

Renato continues his speech in English, this time thanking the people who helped organize the celebration, the food, and the fireworks. While he’s doing that, I turn around because I feel a light brush against my shoulder.

"I’m glad you followed the green," a voice says behind me.

For a moment, I have no idea what he means. I look at the omega speaking to me. He’s wearing a tall hat and holding something resembling a wand topped with a transparent violet glass sphere, filled with tiny glittering particles that swirl around when shaken.

He tilts his head.

"Don’t you remember me? We met about a week ago, when you arrived in Rainbow Spring. I gave you a fortune cookie."

"Ah, yes, of course I remember. Although I may still not have completely deciphered the meaning of that fortune," I reply somewhat sourly.

But the omega gives me a broad smile. It’s interesting that unlike almost everyone else, he isn't wearing a mask over his face, only that ridiculous purple wizard’s hat.

"I think you have deciphered it. You just haven't allowed yourself to accept it yet. Follow your instincts, and you won't go wrong," he adds with a toothy grin, then gives me a slight bow and starts walking away.

I look at Mauro, who is watching the interaction through the openings in his mask.

"Hmm. I met this guy right after I arrived here. His fortune said, ‘Follow the green’… How weird."

Mauro takes out his phone and types a few sentences, but he doesn't play them aloud through his voice synthesizer. Instead, he simply shows me the screen, where it reads:

"That’s my uncle, my granddad’s older brother’s son. Dalio. He’s a strange one, but his predictions usually come true. They say he has a gift. Some people think he went crazy after his only son left Rainbow Springs and they lost touch, but I wouldn’t dismiss what he says."

I open my mouth to ask Mauro what he thinks ‘follow the green’ means, but at that moment, the first fireworks explode overhead.

Wow.

They really are magical. Myriads of breathtaking colors shimmer through the sky above us, drifting beneath the clouds, trembling and bursting into countless tiny puffs of color and spirals.

The shades intertwine and ripple, and everything happens in near-total silence. The only sound is a soft hiss. I stare; what a beautiful spectacle. I’m hoping no birds will be startled today, the people, however, are much louder than fireworks.

Soon the music starts up again, and lines begin forming at the tables set up along the edge of the square, where food is being served. There's also a dance floor, and before long, the musicians invite those who want to stay and dance after the fireworks.

Renato is busy talking, surrounded by people. Silvio, Emilio, Gianni, and Mauro sit down with me at one of the tables near the stage. Soon, an older omega approaches us, and I recognize him as Silvio’s younger brother, Stefano. He’s dressed in a shaman’s outfit, and he holds out his hand to me, a kind smile visible beneath the edge of his mask.

"Nice to meet you!"

"Good evening," I mumble uncertainly, shaking his frail hand.

"Call me Uncle Stefano," he adds familiarly. He gives me a light pat on the back, then sits down beside Silvio, and the two of them start talking in… Sicilian, so I’m automatically left out of the conversation.

Meanwhile, a waiter dressed as an imp with huge red ears serves us food on wooden platters.