Caleb and Sylvia arrived late. By the time they reached the village chief's house, the courtyard was already packed with early arrivals, so they had to find a spot outside the courtyard to watch the fireworks.
Sylvia spotted Emma and Ethan in the crowd and told Caleb. She walked over to them.
"Emma," Sylvia greeted, "You came early."
"Sylvia!" Emma seemed delighted to see her, "Did you just arrive? Why didn't you come earlier? All the good spots are taken." She patted Ethan's back, urging him to get up so Sylvia could sit. "Come, have a seat. Who knows when the fireworks will start."
The spot where the couple sat was a large flat rock, where village women often gathered to chat. The rock was clean, but cold due to winter temperatures, not suitable for children and women to sit on for long. Emma and Ethan had brought thin blankets from home to sit on.