"I'm not going!" Apple announced. The sun had nearly set in the rainforest, and everyone was getting ready for the Summer fiesta. Despite her debating, Apple had invited Ember, and to her surprise, he had actually agreed to come. According to Rin, he was already at the party with Shore, catching up with some of their friends from JMA.
"Don't be ridiculous; you have to go!" Rin declared. "Your boyfriend is waiting for you."
"He is NOT my boyfriend. And.... And I can't go! I'm.... I'm dying!"
"You're just nervous."
"No! I- I'm just gonna throw up and die."
"That would be nerves."
"Or perhaps a deadly influenza," Ander suggested, stepping into the room. "I do wish you would come Apple. It is my musical debut." Ander had persuaded the conductor of the fiesta band to let her conduct the music for tonight. It was better than having to talk to dragons, in her opinion.
"Just go. You might have a great time!" Rin insisted.
"Or I'll pass out." Apple countered.
"Tell you what. If you faint, die, or throw up- you can go home, deal?"
"...Deal."
"Wonderful! Let's go! Parrot is probably wondering where I am." Ander sighed and looked at them dreamily.
"Look at you two. Young and in love," she sang.
"Woah wait what?" Rin questioned. "I am not in love."
"Don't lie to the matchmaker, darling."
*~*~*~*~*
"There they are," Shore commented as his sisters walked in. Ember glanced over at the doors and grinned at the sight of Apple. He had been surprised that she had asked him to come, and it had been difficult to convince his parents to let him fly here on his own, but now it was definitely worth it.
Not everyone, unfortunately, shared that opinion.
Cypress sat by herself at one of the tables, disappointed. She had written to Anaconda and asked him to come, but he hadn't written back- let alone shown at the party. It was strange. Had she done something wrong?
"Hey Cypress." Haze announced, dropping into the chair next to her. "What'd got ya so glum?"
"Do you actually care, or are you just trying to pass the time?" Cypress questioned.
"I'd be lying if I said I cared about anyone's feelings other than maybe Boysen's. But I can still listen and add names to my 'kick this dragon's ass list'." Cypress raised an eyebrow.
"Do you actually have a list for that?"
"......Maybe. Anyways! Moving on! What's up?"
"I asked Anaconda to go to the fiesta with me and he never wrote back. And he didn't show up." Haze thought for a moment.
"Dammit." she announced suddenly. "The one simple relationship we had- INSTANTLY COMPLICATED."
"What?"
"Ignore that. Hmmmm. Do you want me to fly over to the Mud Kingdom and beat him up?"
"No Haze."
"Ah. Want me to fly over there and drag him here so YOU can beat him up?"
"No."
"Want me to-"
"I DON'T NEED YOU TO DO ANYTHING HAZE!" Cypress exploded. She buried her head in her talons. "Can you just leave me alone?"
"Course." Haze backed away.
"What was that all about?" Boysen asked.
"I flew too far into a stormy area." Haze explained. "And then got struck by lightning."
"My uncle got struck by lightning once." Dusk declared. "It was not fun."
"Really? I'd imagine been hit by a billion volts of electricity would be fun!" Haze declared sarcastically.
"Please stop talking about lightning." Deathbringer whispered as he passed by.
*~*~*~*~*~*
"Do you ever get tired of all the fiestas?" Orange asked.
"Nope." Shore insisted. "Music, dancing, good food, and beautiful dragons. What's there to get tired of?" Orange raised her eyebrows.
"Beautiful dragons huh?" she urged. "Like who?"
"Would it be too cheesy if I said you?"
"Yes."
"Then... dragons like.....Apple!"
"Apple?"
"Yea!" Shore glanced around. "Hey Ember!" he called. "Isn't it Apple a beautiful dragon?" The red dragonet blushed.
"Yes she is." he agreed, smiling at the dragon in question. Apple's face was bright pink as she glared at her cousin.
"I rest my case." Shore declared.
"I hope they just kiss and get it over with." Orange insisted.
"They better." Shore agreed.
And, sure enough, as the fiesta came to a close and the last few dragons were leaving, Ember pulled Apple aside, and kissed her.