<div align="center">(https://i.imgur.com/cw34RLj.jpg)<br/>(Art by Lauren Larkin (https://www.laurenlarkinart.com/))<br/><br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 15pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>Year One<br/>The Time of Balance</strong></span></span></div><br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 13pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><em>A special night has come. <br/><br/>The invitation has reached you. The Wise Old Elephant has thanks to give. You have gathered at Moonrise Outcrop as asked. It has been a lovely day, full of happy things! The green of the island has grown quite a lot in the few weeks since the elephant first asked you to show her grandchildren your favorite places. Things are becoming warmer! What happy times!<br/></em></span></span><br/><br/><hr/><br/><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/KnfrIGL.jpg)</div><strong>Wise Old Elephant</strong>(She/Her)<br/><strong>Time:</strong><em>Year 1, Time of Balance</em><br/><strong>Tags:</strong><em>All Happy Little Spirits!</em><br/><strong>Actions:</strong><em>Teaching!</em><br/><br/><hr/><br/>The Wise Old Elephant stands alone at the clifftop of Moonrise Outcrop, waiting for the happy little spirits to gather.<br/><br/><strong>"My friends, thank you so much. My grandbabies were delighted, and have been bothering their mothers and fathers to take them to see each and every spot again! Thank you, thank you! In return I have something to show you on this special night."</strong><br/><br/>She turns to face the dark sky away from the setting sun, the last long orange shadows cast by it falling across her back as the moon begins to rise.<br/><br/><strong>"This is a very special time, for on this cycle the light of day and dark of night are in perfect balance. On these special days spirits like yourselves may start to become something....more."</strong><br/><br/>What is this talk? Nobody has ever told you of such a thing before!<br/><br/><strong>"There are four things that are the very smallest pieces of this world."</strong>The Wise Old Elephant moves her trunk in a slow circle, and again, again, again. Each circle she completes summons an orb of floating material, each different than the last.<br/><br/><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/IBcivG7.png)</div><strong>"First there is the earth. The very thing we stand on now. Everything grows from the earth. It is strong, it is sturdy. The earth protects and shelters. Is that you wish to do?"</strong>The earth feels welcoming, you could just sink into it if you wished! Or you could wrap it around another to keep them safe. Or to keep them yours.<br/><br/><br class="clear_left"/><br/><br/><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/MegN6jG.png)</div><strong>"And then there is the air, without which we could not see or breathe! The air makes the wind that can be both strong and soothing, and it is through the air that great things fly. Perhaps you wish to as well?"</strong>The air feels invigorating! Where couldn't you fly with this power? What couldn't you blow over, or gently soothe? To master a force like the wind itself, it boggles your little spirit mind to even think of what you might do!<br/><br/><br class="clear_left"/><br/><br/><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/XmSgc5F.png)</div><strong>"And then there is water. The ocean, the lakes, the rivers, even the rain. The water nourishes us and coaxes plants into growing. Water can have many uses, many forms, and if you wish to be so flexible yourself, perhaps this is for you!"</strong>How refreshing the water is! How many things it can do! The living things would love you if you could bring them water! Or would they fear you if you held it away from them? What an odd thing to think!<br/><br/><br class="clear_left"/><br/><br/><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/zAKzM0r.png)</div><strong>"And then there is the fire. Many things think of fire as danger, but so can be earth, or air, or water, if they are not respected. Fire removes that which is no longer needed, provides warmth in the cold, and has the power to change the shape of things, forever. If you think you will be wise enough some day to use such gifts, this is for you."</strong>The fire is so hot, but beautiful. Very beautiful. Are you ready for it?<br/><br/><br class="clear_left"/><br/><br/>The four orbs float about in the air before the Wise Old Elephant.<br/><br/>The closer you get to each one, the more you feel the connection with it growing. If you fly into it directly, you know that is the element you will choose to be most akin to! This is a very important choice, and you realize you must think about this.<br/><br/>The Wise Old Elephant watches, patiently waiting to answer any questions you may have.<br/><br/><hr/><br/><em>You may choose one of the four classical elements that your Happy Little Spirits feels the closest connection to! The little spirit will be able to use some very basic abilities connected with that element to impact the world around them! Write a post about choosing your element and trying it out!<br/><br/>As you make your choice you may find your shape changing. You will still be a happy little spirit of the same general form, but you may find yourself sprouting leaves, or resembling more the fire or the water you are akin to. Or perhaps you might not change at all! </em>