The Festival of Lights

Anya walked the street in a dress she would have never before considered. Simple white wool with an embroidered golden helix on the breast; stout, a bit warm for summer, but comfortable nonetheless. The sharp cracks and acrid scent of small fireworks filled the streets. Lamps and candles shone out of homes; not even the poorest would let their houses go unlit during the festival of lights. It was a middle class neighborhood. Children played, adults drank and sang. It was a good night. The sense of dread that had been building in the east was momentarily warded by the festivities.