Today was the day. I've been waiting for this night from the very first moment I heard of the invitation.

Tuskon and Marcy were both dressed fairly nicely for this occasion. Dan and I were given fancier harnesses to wear for this event as well. I think Dan would have looked cuter if he was given a little bow tie though.

This entire week we've been practicing staying on Tuskon's shoulder without a leash. It would make us look better to everyone if we weren't held down like wild animals, even though that's what we were mere months ago.

Before we left, I "accidently" got a flower stuck in one of the harness straps. I'd usually put flowers in my hair as a human, but I don't have hair to do it now so I had to improvise. Luckily, Macry thought it looked nice so she convinced Tuskon to keep it there. The power a wife has over her husband is amazing.

The celebration and the ceremony was taking place on the night of the full moon. The Kymari saw the patterns the moon went through and were able to chart it just as well as the humans had. I couldn't read their writing so it could very well have been even better than the human version. Who knows?

We walked through a gate into an open garden. Dan sent me an image of the scene. It was a very dark area lit up with thousands of tiny floating suns. It was as if fireflies could be their own spotlights.

The garden itself was a beauty to behold. I simply couldn't count how many different flowers, trees, and other plants were present. They all came together as a giant masterpiece unto itself. Their buildings were hideous, but this one place made up for it all. If the Garden of Eden were real, this is what it would probably look like.

I wanted to cry for how beautiful it was. The artist inside of me was screaming with joy. It gave me such inspiration that I just wanted to let my imagination flow a river onto a canvas.

I let the image linger in my mind for a while longer until Dan sent me another one. Beyond the garden was where the main event was taking place. Family and friends alike were enjoying each others company along with eating the refreshments set out on various tables.

The family of the night were front and center talking to everyone who passed by. There were so many gifts set out for Phugesh's new daughter. A lot of them looked like some kind of weapon. It was all like a glorified baby shower.

I clicked frantically trying to take in as much of my surroundings as possible. There was just so much to take in. I was feeling just a little overwhelmed. I also felt very underdressed for such a glorious occasion. Oh yeah. I'm just a dragon...

Tuskon must have thought my clicking to be of nervousness as he began to stroke my back. "Calm down. There's no danger here."

I slowed my clicking for the sake of Tuskon. I didn't need him all riled up on my behalf. If he thought I was nervous and on edge, they might never let me close to Spikey Head's child!

We walked into the center of the party and were greeted by many Kymari. I straightened my back and puffed out my chest. My form was still that of a tiny dragon, but I did not want to be viewed as weak.

I was glad to not have seen any of the echo signatures from Tuskon's or Marcy's other "friends". They weren't very deserving of the right to come to an event like this.

We walked through the crowd of Kymari until we came to the table in the front. Phugesh and his mate were sitting together with their daughter in a little stroller like crib in between them. Tuskon handed a gift to Phugesh and Marcy gave her gift to the mother.

When Tuskon started to walk away, I had to take one last look back. I didn't even get a glimpse of the new born child. I hoped I got another chance to be that close again, but actually long enough to see her smile.

We walked over to the refreshment table and found a bowl of mixed fruits. Tuskon scooped up a random bunch and placed it in a smaller bowl. Spikey Head had set apart one special seat for Dan and I. It was just a tall stand with two perches attached along with a clamp to hold a dish.

Tuskon set us on our respectable perches and placed the bowl in the clamp. It was perfectly accessible from either perch Dan or I was on.

Dan let out a surprised screech and I turned to look at him, "What was that for?"

Dan quickly sent me an image of the fruits, "They have lemons!"

My nerves calmed instantly at the false alarm for trouble, "And you just had to scream like a fan girl over it?"

Dan reached out and grabbed the fruit, "I haven't seen a lemon for eight years! Of course I'm excited!"

I heard him bite into the juicy lemon and had to shake away the uncomfortableness that was building up, "I'd rather have lemonade."

Dan didn't answer me as he threw away the peel and went for the next one. I ignored the sour fruits and searched for the strawberries I could smell. If he was going to enjoy his favorites, I was going to as well. Tuskon and Marcy had both walked off together, likely getting their own snacks.

I looked over at Dan who was still eating lemons, "What do you think of the garden?"

He glanced up from his half eaten fruit, "It looks really nice. Probably was super expensive too. I don't think you can get these plants just anywhere."

I sighed as I stopped clicking, "I really wish I could see it with my own eyes. Then I'd be so inspired I could create a lifetime of paintings."

Dan flew over and landed next to me, "What's stopping you?"

I lowered my head, "I told you. I can't do art if I can't see."

He draped his silver wing over my back, "There's always a way. You just have to find it."

I smiled and touched my nose to his. He always found a way to cheer me up.

We both looked up when Phugesh started speaking. I was having a hard time hearing him and desperately wanted to get closer. But Tuskon told us to stay put, so if I disobeyed now, I might never be allowed off leash again.

Dan sent me an image of what was going on. I hadn't noticed but Spikey Head was holding up his daughter similar to the Lion King. This must be the ceremony part.

I could barely hear any of the words he was saying. My ear tufts were straining to hear his ceremonious speech. The beautiful leaves, as they rustled in the wind, were now just another sound preventing me from hearing Phugesh.

Then Phugesh suddenly spoke louder, "- and her name shall be Iso!"

There was a loud uproar of Kymari cheers and applauds. It could have been a firecracker next to your ear for all you knew just from how loud they were.

When the noise died down, I could hear that someone else was just as disturbed by the cheering as I was. The small cries of little Iso could be heard by my choice sensitive ears.

My wings were open before I could even form a thought. All other noises were blocked out as I flew to my destination. I perched on the crib of the crying child. With the help of my echolocation, I looked out at the crowd. Everyone was looking at me. Their nerves were creating a tense atmosphere.

I looked back down at the crying form and began to sing. The first lullaby that came to mind was Mary's Lullaby. It was my favorite.

I sang the soft words in the dragonet language. The different whistles, hums, and chirps mixed together into a new lullaby. It was a beautiful tune, just like the Morning Song.

I continued singing until Iso cried no more. A single click showed me the corners of her mouth were pointed up in a smile. She was sleeping and all was quiet.

A few Kymari were talking amongst themself in the crowd, but I ignored them. I was tired. The full moon was gorgeous but I had plans other than staring at it all night.

I carefully stepped onto the small lap of Iso. The heat she radiated was very nice. I curled up on her tiny form and closed my eyes. Sleep wasn't about to come though. The Kymari were still talking and I wanted to hear what had to be said.

The different things I heard ranged from shock to curiosity. No one expected a once wild firelizard to come and comfort a small Kymari child. What could I say? I was good with children.

I opened my eyes and lifted my head at the scent of Phugesh holding a sunburst berry out to me. I accepted the treat and gave a small thrum as he used a finger to scratch underneath my chin. He knew I'd never hurt his daughter.

The celebration continued on and I did end up falling asleep where I had curled up on Iso. Her rhythmic breathing was just too soothing to help it. A few hours probably passed by before Tuskon came to get me.

He stood and talked with Phugesh before calling out to me, "Come on, Aspen. Let's go."

I looked up from where I lay and let out a big yawn. Iso stayed asleep as I stretched out my back like a cat. I was very careful with my claws and made sure they stayed retracted the entire time. My procrastinating was up and I flew to Tuskon's bare right shoulder pad. Dan was resting on the opposite one.

Tuskon and Marcy both said their farewells as we left through the garden gate. Our caretakers chatted with themselves about the different topics that were discussed at the celebration. Most of it was Kymari stuff that I didn't understand but they soon switched over to talk about my big stunt.

Marcy was the one to bring it up first, "I didn't realize Aspen could sing so beautifully. I thought they would only sing in the morning."

Tuskon stroked my wing, "I wasn't sure how they'd react to the cry, that was why I was going to have them stay perched during the entire ceremony. Her instincts must have been too strong to stay put."

Marcy sighed, "It's too bad no one was recording. I bet even I could fall asleep to a voice like hers."

Tuskon took in a deep breath, "I'm just glad the Elder present didn't take offence to her actions. If she had actually attacked, that would have been a clear omen of misfortune upon Phugesh's family."

Marcy lighted up, "Yes, but since she did the exact opposite, it will be seen as an omen of great fortune and luck. Phugesh was smart to extend the invitation to Dan and Aspen in this respect."

The conversation switched to other topics once again and I was more then ready to sleep when Tuskon placed us under our heat lamp. I was happy I got to go tonight and my happiness would carry into my dreams.