°~《Chapter Fourteen》~°

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Have I ever expressed just how much I hated needles? Because I hate needles. Right now I may not entirely care that I'm about to be stabbed with one, but that doesn't make the original fear go away. My shaking only increased as the gloved alien held my wings and body down with one hand. I squeaked when I felt the prick of the needle and quickly scampered away with eyes wide open as I was released.

The vet's voice held humor as my legs continued to shiver, "Well at least she isn't completely out of it."

I chittered at him, "This isn't funny."

I imagined they were now looking at the make up of my blood as the vet started talking again, "Right there. She has signs of having major depression. It is odd though, usually it doesn't get to levels as high as this in just a few days, even after a death."

Tuskon brought up his own thought, "Could her singing in the morning affect these levels?"

"We don't know enough about the firelizard's habits to know for sure. From Taureen's observations, it could be possible."

Tuskon sounded stumped, "That still doesn't explain why she wouldn't sing. She would always sing in the past, even when she couldn't fly."

The vet seemed to be just as aggravated by this lack of information, but didn't speak. Instead, I heard something above me make a noise before the three Kymari observed that I had no broken bones nor pulled muscles. After a few more seconds, I heard a small click and I could smell the vet getting closer to me. My eyes were still open as I waited for him to finish.

The vet was startled, "Oh my. Your firelizard is blind!"

I blinked. He was checking my eyes?

Tuskon sounded unsure, "She's never shown signs of being blind before."

I heard the vet stand to his full height as he spoke with confidence, "Incorrect. From your observations, it sounds much like she's been using a special feature called echolocation found in a few of this planets native creatures. With this, she has been able to avoid running into objects around her. However, she could not sing in the morning without her mate who helped her to know when to start and stop."

Tuskon was speechless, "That explains so much."

I slowly laid myself down on the table. The vet was very smart and got the details pretty much spot on.

The vet continued, "However, there is still one thing that doesn't make sense. With how her eyes look, it seems that she could have been born blind, but the action of blinking would have only been present if she once had the ability to see."

The vet was too smart for his own good. If they knew of my intelligence and were to ask how long I had been blind, I would not have a good answer.

I closed my eyes to relax as the three Kymari discussed theories of my blindness and the possible beginning of my depression. It annoyed me to hear people talking about my problems. I already knew everything they were bringing up. None of it mattered to me though. Without Dan, my life was never going to be the same.

The vet quickly caught my attention, "There is a chance for her to use her eyes again."

I shivered. Of course, if anyone had the ability to bring my sight back, it would be these aliens and their crazy technology. Though, even if I didn't know how to react, I was silently very happy for this possibility.

They were now talking in hushed whispers as if the gravity of the situation could change with the slightest loud noise. I desperately wanted to know what was being said. I clicked a few times to grab a bearing on my surroundings before walking to the edge of the table where Marcy was standing. I stood in front of her and sat on my hind legs. At the same time I lifted my hands and swept them up and down like I wanted to be lifted up. Which is what I was aiming for, anyway.

Like a child, I was lifted up and cradled in her arms. I didn't mind as she was so much warmer than the table had been. I was also just that much closer to where the conversation was originating. If it was any other situation, I'd laugh at how manipulative I was in my small form. No one could resist my cuteness.

I listened carefully and tried to make sense of all the alien terms being spoken. From the context clues I put together, this special machine was on a different planet and was too big and too expensive to move or bring another to Earth. If I wanted to get my eyes fixed, I'd need to leave this planet. That would be a problem, as the Elders hadn't cleared the dragonets to even leave orbit yet.

The words they used were big and confusing and soon I was fast asleep. When I woke up, I was still in Marcy's arms, but no longer in the clinic. That was one sigh of relief, as I hated that place almost as much as I hated needles.

The voices around me were a bit louder than they had been before. There was also a new voice in the mix which sounded slow and a little scratchy. The scent of how old he was finally hinted that this was an Elder.

I sat up and Marcy loosened her hold so I could take a good look around. Well as good of a look as echolocation gets. We were in a small room compared to the normal Kymari rooms I've been in. Compared to me, it was still huge.

I didn't hear what they were talking about until Tuskon called me over with the recognizable command. I clicked at him and flew to his fist he had out for me.

"Is this the one? May I see her?" The Elder's voice was soft and reassuring yet still held the many years of authority he had gained in his lifetime.

Tuskon agreed and shifted his fist closer to the old Kymari. His scent drove over my nose in waves as I remembered the familiar scent of my own grandparents. It filled me with a calmness that told me I could trust him, even if I didn't know him. I allowed him to lift me up and trace his hands along my green and white scales. His hold was comforting and warm making me feel sleepy once again. I refused to let that temptation take hold, though.

"What would you say her intelligence level is? Do you personally believe she could do well in low gravity situations?" The Elder asked his questions back to back then waited for a response as he continued to pet my scales.

Tuskon replied swiftly, "She's a quick learner and tracks sicora just as well as her mate did even if she couldn't see them. She's been subject to many odd and difficult situations while in my care, so I'm sure she could adjust to any environment with low gravity just fine."

I wasn't in the slightest worried about any gravity changes, but the reminder of Dan caused my thrum to stop for a split second. I hadn't even realised I was thrumming until I stopped, but quickly continued so it would seem I wasn't affected by Tuskon's words. Luckly, neither of the Kymari seemed to have noticed my nervousness and continued their conversation.

"Would there be any medical problems with your firelizard that could effect her negatively during space travel?"

"The only medical issues we have seen were signs of depression and her blindness. Nothing severe that could interfere with the voyage."

The Elder seemed to hum as he contemplated their conversation before continuing, "I will bring this matter up with the council before I am to give you an affirming answer. You will receive either a confirmation or a decline no later than tomorrow morning."

With that, the three Kymari stated their farewells and we left. I was on my usual perch on Tuskon's right shoulder as we walked down the street with the early afternoon traffic. We seemed to be in a dense area of the Kymari city, which only reminded me of the accident that got me into this mess. All I wanted was to get home and away from the busy street.

But my caretakers had seperate plans.

I wasn't paying attention as we entered a building that shut out the loud sounds from the road. The smell was familiar and reminiscent. I couldn't quite remember what it reminded me of, but I shoved it to the back of my mind for the time being.

I clicked a few times to gather my surroundings. This building was about the same size as the one we had just been in with the Elder.

Tuskon walked up to the Kymari behind the counter, "Hello, I'm here to pick up my order."

"What's your order number?"

Tuskon reached into his pocket to pull out something and handed it to the Kymari. They were silent, as she was most likely reading over the information she was given, and then left to a back room.

We all stood quietly until she finally came back with a small package. Tuskon was quick to pay and then leave. The walk back was loud and unpleasant, but we were soon back home.

I flew around the open space a few times before landing on Marcy's head. Her hair was thick and soft like a little nest. I was soon effectively entangled in the many strands around me. Marcy decided to ignore my playfulness as I snuggled in the blanket of hair.

Tuskon also seemed oblivious as he spoke, "Do you want to wrap the gift or give it to her how it is?"

Marcy sat on the couch, "It'll be fine as it is. We can give it to her in a couple of days."

I didn't know who they were talking about, but I didn't fully care. If it came to it, I'd meet this Kymari sooner or later.

I continued to lay in Marcy's hair until they brought out some fruit and the oiling kit. I thought about all the times I spent with Dan while we were here. The games of tag, talking about our dreams, and snuggling under the heat lamp. They were all times I enjoyed immensely.

The oiling was comforting and soon had me fast asleep. I was once again in the same recognizable forest from the night before. I excitedly turned around and was met with the beautiful silver scales of Dan.

I ran right up to him, "Dan! I've missed you so much!"

He nuzzled against me, "I've missed you too, Aspen! I can tell you're excited about something?"

I looked up into his golden eyes, "They've found a way to bring back my sight! After some form of operation, I'll be able to see again!"

He smiled and pressed his nose against mine in a dragonet kiss, "I'm so happy for you! You'll be able to see our children grow!"

My smile dropped, "What do you mean? I don't believe we've ever gotten that intimate before."

Dan sighed, "I didn't think so either. But I was wrong. I'm sorry I won't be there for you. Or for our children."

I could only stare at him in shock. I just couldn't believe what he was saying. Of course I was happy, and this was what I've always wanted, but it would never be the same without Dan by my side. I blinked away tears as I bumped my nose against his in one final goodbye as my dream started to fade.

I awoke on Tuskon's lap as he was reading a message on the communication device attached to his wrist. He spoke to Marcy about a few errands they'd need to run and then told her the long awaited news.

The Elder's have given confirmation for me to leave the planet. And we were to leave the next day.

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