Woodvale was after all, a lumberjack village. What self-respecting professionals would they be if they didn’t have a log cutting competition? The men that were milling about moved to help the others set everything up. A few more left the party to go grab ironwood logs for the competition from a nearby warehouse. The dance party had shifted into a classic Woodvale competition usually reserved for special occasions.

  The log cut was finally set up and teams of men lined up on both sides of each log with a massive saw between them. Many of the woman had climbed up and were sitting on the log to not only stabilize it along with the rope. But to also cheer on their husbands or boyfriends.

  Looking to get a drink of water to help balance out the moondew, Lumina visited Jack and helped herself to a glass of Alice Springs water. The ‘perfect water’ as it was advertised on the massive container it came stored in. Like her and anyone else who had tried it, it truly was perfect. A crisp refreshing drink were one felt the water as if seeped to every cell of their body.

  Looking over at the wood cutting competition, Lumina watched the men race each other to see who could cut through first. The woman on top cheering them on. She always wondered what it would be like. To have a place on that log to cheer someone else on. Couldn’t be her though. People were nice enough to talk with her, but that was about it. “Surely outside of town can’t be worse than this? Can it?” Lumina thought to herself.

  Hearing a massive sigh from his customer, Jack moved over and took a seat next to Lumina, “I’ve heard that sigh a few too many times in my line of work. Must got a lot on your mind.”

  “It’s all the same thing over and over.” Lumina pined as her ears drooped. “Still wishing that you could join in like everyone else and just fit in?” Lumina nodded as she downed the rest of the water.

  Jack chuckled as he helped himself to some of the moondew he was selling. “Ah to be young again. To care about being left out.” Lumina looked up at Jack not knowing where the man was planning to go with his comment.

  “You’ve lived in this isolated lumber town all your life. There is an entire world filled with all sorts of people and ideas. Basing your worth on experiences here in Woodvale, is like eating a steak without seasoning. Sure it’s a lot of meat, but the flavor that comes from new things will always be more exciting and fulfilling. There is more to this world than ironwood and families. There is more to you than ya know.”

  Jack said emphasizing the ‘you’ while gently poking Lumina on the forehead. “It may not seem like it now, but you’ll find people who will want you. I mean there’s Milli, Elrin and Eldin. Me and Mariah.” Letting out a large sigh of his own, Jack continued, “These other folk. They’re scared of change. That’s why they settled here in Woodvale. We will always be a village of wood cutters providing ironwood for people.”

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  Lumina listened intently to Jack, “You’re really good at this.” Jack chuckled as he pulled her in with his arm, “I’ve got my own daughter a bit younger than you, and over twenty years’ worth of wisdom from dealing with all them idiots in this town. You’re gonna do amazing things. Far more impressive than anything anyone will ever do here.”

  With a slight smile, Lumina’s ears perked up brushing across Jack’s nose and causing him to sneeze. “Oops. Sorry.” Lumina said as Jack started Laughing. “Get out of here.” Jack said jokingly, “If you want something to do, cheer on Eldin. Looks like he’s about to try his hand at cutting.”

  Making her way through the tables, Lumina stood off to the side and watched as Eldin was about to begin. “Hey Lumina! Get up here!” Looking at the top of the log, Mariah was sitting on the side that Eldin’s team was at. “Get up here!” She shouted at Lumina again.

  Completely caught off-guard from the sudden invitation, it took her a moment to process the invite. Nervous and excited at the same time, she took a seat next to Mariah. Both girls sat side by side with both their legs hanging off one side of the log. As soon as Lumina got into position, another man blew a whistle, and the woodcutting teams started to work.

  Mariah was the first to start cheering followed by all the other girls, each one cheering for a specific person. New to the situation Lumina felt strange cheering along. Though her and Mariah were both encouraging Eldin.

  Eldin was not weak by any means. He like Lumina, had been rigorously trained since a young age. However, the men of Woodvale also started the profession at a young age. Whereas Eldin had a defined athletic build. His mass wasn’t even close to the hardy lumberjacks that spent all their days chopping through iron-like trees and then moving them from place to place.

  Keeping pace and cadence with his group, Eldin was able to cut through the log, but the other team had finished first. A mixture of congratulations with a smattering of trash talk was briefly exchanged before the next group of men took their places to compete as well.

  Breathing heavily and making his way back to his table, Lumina and Mariah followed behind. “You were so close Eldin!” Mariah shouted as she hugged him. Eldin could hear Lumina giggling as he watched her draw a heart with both index fingers in the air. Obviously teasing him while informing him of Mariah’s affection for him.

  Rolling his eyes at Lumina, he hugged Mariah back and thanked her for cheering him on. By the time Mariah let him go, Lumina had already sat down, “Such a lovely couple. When’s the wedding? I heard Milli has already given her blessing.”

  Mariah took a step back, her face immediately blushing as she stood there with both hands behind her back and looking towards the ground.

  Eldin glared at Lumina before looking back to Mariah. He could very easily stay in Woodvale and get married. It probably wouldn’t be too hard to help or take over the duties of his dad in the town’s temples. But he had been training his entire life. He wanted to explore the world, have experiences like his parents. If he stayed here and settled down, he couldn’t help but feel everything he had worked for would go to waste.

  Eldin didn’t know what to say or do in his current situation. He knew that Lumina was just teasing him, but it was something that always sat in the back of his mind. He really did find Mariah attractive, and the two always got along.

  Lumina left the two to continue their conversation and made her way back to the bar. Finding herself alone again, her depressing thoughts of being excluded crept back into her mind. She didn’t know what to expect, she just hoped that the world outside of Woodvale would be better. Despite the frequent and ominous warnings from both Elrin and Milli.