It was time to play. Gemstone Glade sighed as a gust of wind fingered the trees. Anticipation was in the air.

Then she was there, the tiny orange fairy Carnelian Caroline. Sparkles shimmered in the air. Caroline laughed as she blew bubbles, bright orange globes which blew around the glade gaily.

The fountain turned orange. The hedgehogs in the woods turned in their sleep, chuckles in their chest.

The leaves in the trees glowed with an orange undertone. Caroline laughed again. Wherever she flew, joy and fun followed.

Two small children hesitated at the edge of the glade, silhouettes against the sun. They were soul walkers – their bodies asleep far away, sweet dreams soothing their minds and leading them here.

“Come and play!” invited Caroline. Nervously the children entered the glade, looking around as if all their Christmases had come at once.

Caroline blew bubbles their way, growing larger and larger in tune to the fairy magic inside. The children climbed on to a bubble each, rising and circling the glade. Their joyous laughter joined the sound of the wind. Happiness ruled the day, as a sun that surely could not set turned slowly orange and pink.

Orange light suffused the glade with giggles.

It was time to play.