I wrote this one in hopes that Spring would have indeed sproing by now — right here in lovely Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Spring has not, in fact, sproing. We’re past Easter and I’m still sleeping in a hoodie…
© 2026 – J.B. Norman, published by Emona Literary Services
“Yup,” Dunstana says with a satisfied nod, gazing out at the whole city of Porthaven stretching out below her. “It looks like Spring has finally sproing.”
“I can’t believe she said that again,” Annie mutters, watching her cousin in bemusement.
In the aftermath of the Spring Festival and with the Porthaven Raiders giving the ship some much-needed post-Winter maintenance under the guidance of first mate Jimena, Dunstana and Annie have been largely left to their own devices. Dunstana decided that she’d know the best cure for her boredom when she saw it, so she’s led her cousin to the Municipal Gardens of Porthaven, overlooking the entire city itself, along with its harbour, hoping that something fun will catch her eye.
“Man,” Dunstana continues, unaware of her mangling of the Gardian language and her cousin’s scrutiny. “That Winter lasted forever. Well, it stopped for a while, but then it came back and it just. kept. going.”
She grins.
“But, like, it must be Springtime, because Kat got super, duper sick eating, like, twelve gooses by herself at dinner during the Spring Festival. And —”
She notices that Annie is staring at her.
“What?” she asks, blinking innocently.
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