GILDED GLIDERS! ✶

The morning at Pollen & Poetry began with the scent of dried roses, fresh eucalyptus, and ribbons of sunlight slipping through stained-glass windows. Usually, only the quiet rustle of bouquet paper and the soft hum of Islavia’s melodies filled the little shop. But today, another presence lingered beside the florist’s table.

A black-winged Pegasus stood patiently near the doorway.

Crystal lowered his head as Islavia tucked the final peony into a bouquet tied with ivory silk. Tiny stars seemed to glimmer beneath his mane whenever he moved. Though born somewhere far beyond Earth’s skies, Crystal had grown strangely comfortable among flower baskets, old poetry books, and sleepy cats wandering around the shop.

“You’ve been staring at the lilies for ten minutes,” Islavia laughed softly while adjusting the bouquet. “Do they remind you of home?”

Crystal let out a gentle sound, almost like a chiming bell.

“Ah… so outer space has silver gardens too?”

The Pegasus nudged her shoulder in response.

Since Raven had gone abroad with Cressida, Crystal temporarily became the unofficial delivery assistant of the flower shop. And surprisingly, he was excellent at it.

Bouquets arrived untouched. Delicate flowers never wilted during transport. Customers even claimed the flowers smelled sweeter after being delivered by him.

Throughout the day, Crystal flew across the town carrying arrangements of hydrangeas, tulips, and moonflowers in elegant baskets attached to his sides. Children waved at him from windows. Old ladies offered him apples. Some people thought he was merely a dream passing through the clouds.

By late afternoon, Crystal finally returned to the shop looking exhausted, wings slightly drooping.

“Oh dear,” Islavia whispered dramatically while placing both hands on her hips. “That is the face of an overworked celestial employee.”

Crystal huffed.

“No, no excuses. You delivered eleven orders today. Eleven. Even I would collapse.”

The Pegasus lightly tapped the floor as if demanding compensation.

“You want luxury treatment already?” Islavia giggled. “Alright then. Come with me.”

As sunset painted the horizon lavender and gold, Islavia led Crystal away from the town and into her hidden magical forest, a place untouched by ordinary humans. Fireflies floated like drifting stars between ancient trees. The river glowed faintly blue beneath the moonlight.

Crystal immediately buried his face into the fresh pasture grass with visible happiness.

“I knew you’d like this place,” Islavia said while sitting beside him beneath a willow tree. “Earth isn’t too bad, is it?”

Crystal lifted his head and gave a pleased chirp.

The florist opened a tiny glass bottle filled with lavender oil and gently brushed some onto Crystal’s mane. The sweet floral scent blended beautifully with the cool forest air.

“You really adore lavender,” she murmured.

Crystal leaned closer, almost demanding more.

“Oh? More spoiled behavior?” Islavia teased. “At this rate, Raven will come home to a Pegasus who only accepts luxury spa treatments.”

The Pegasus spread his wings proudly.

For hours, the forest echoed with quiet conversations between florist and creature. Islavia spoke about the flowers blooming this season, about the lonely stars appearing earlier lately, about how strangely peaceful the shop felt with Crystal around.

And Crystal listened.

Sometimes with soft chirps. Sometimes by brushing his nose against her shoulder. Sometimes simply by remaining beside her beneath the glowing trees.

“You miss Raven, don’t you?” Islavia asked quietly at one point.

Crystal lowered his head.

“…But you’re trying to be brave while waiting.”

A gentle breeze passed through the forest as if the trees themselves understood.

Then Islavia smiled softly and rested her hand against Crystal’s forehead.

“Until they return, you can stay here as long as you want. Pollen & Poetry always has room for wandering creatures.”