The Winter Carnival promised a sense of community, a chance to connect with others and feel less alone in this vast metropolis.

I longed for that sense of belonging, a way to anchor myself in the ever-shifting tides of The Terrace City.

I hoped that by immersing myself in the festivities someday, I might find a piece of myself that had been lost in the transition, a glimmer of familiarity amidst the sea of strangers.

Yet, even as I yearned for that connection, I knew the danger of needing it too much. Of becoming small to fit into someone else’s shape.

I couldn’t rely solely on others to provide me with a sense of purpose or belonging.

It was a delicate balance, one that I was still learning to navigate.

Juniper joined the flow of the crowd, her heart filled with a mix of trepidation and anticipation. The city, like a living work of art, had captured her imagination and ignited a spark of hope within her.