Zelda smiled and sent a mental thanks to her.One hand rose in acknowledgement.
Zoey looked in the same direction.“Who is that?”
“A friend.”
Zoey hugged her again, and they continued their final visitation.This was the only moment that their parents had stuck around for.
Ghosts were roaming around the main floor with their families, and Skylar was going for yet another cup of tea before she sat next to Harwin for a chat.
They talked for an hour before their parents hugged them again in turn, and then they walked back to Skylar.Ghosts from across the settlements hugged their loved ones and returned to Skylar, smiling.
Harwin stood up, holding her son, and said, “Okay, everybody, outside.There is a special celebration planned for tonight.”
Zelda blinked, and Orex came to slide an arm behind her.“Come along, Consort, I have it on good authority that this is a performance we don’t want to miss.”
Zani and Zoey came along with them, Aretta between them.
Everyone walked outside.
A projector pulled the night out and blocked the suns of Aten.Ra smiled, and as everyone took seats around the marked performance area, music started.A low voice said, “Since the triplets are having a birthday today, I thought we should have a celebration for their survival.”
Zoey’s head came up and started looking around.
Wild music started, and Zelda watched the images of her and her daughter walking through the silent land, them coming up to the high-walled conclave that opened its doors.When she went out to hunt, they kept Aretta, and the girl cried for her mother while the panicked humans kept her as leverage.
The final days rushed in and continued until they were both off Earth.
Zaniah had been with a group and helped work out rations so the food went further.
Zoey’s time was different.Snowmobile projections growled over snow that couldn’t exist on Aten.
Zelda was stunned.The song was about camaraderie, and one by one, the snowmobiles stopped, and the drivers took off their helmets.Three men and two women, one of the women being Zoey.
Zoey sniffled and said, “Hey, Skylar.”
The next song kicked on, and dark purple fireballs appeared in the dimness.Then, Zelda was watching a dragon-human hybrid in minimal clothing dancing with fire, spinning it on chains, controlling it with batons, and occasionally, pausing to breathe fire.
Zoey was clapping wildly with tears running down her features.
Another song, slower this time, Skylar moved, swaying slowly, and the equipment she was using was discarded, and she moved the fire in the air around her.Rich purple with black edges, she danced, bent, and twirled with her horns glowing.She stopped with the last note and put her hands down, quelling the fire.
Zoey got up and ran to her, hugging her tight.
* * * *
Sniffling, Zoey lookedup at Skylar.“You made it.”
“No, sweetie, I didn’t.I died and was reactivated.Apparently, my ancestor banged an alien.”
“Can I touch your horns?”
“Nope.Sensitive.Still growing.Congratulations on getting your skin back.”
Zoey laughed.Her friend had grown about ten inches and had sprays of dark scales around and down her.“You are stunning.”
“Thanks.I have to get dressed and get the hell out of Dodge.Whatever makes this kind of fusion, they don’t have a lot of girls.Either way, I am going to burn rubber.”
“But...I just found you again.”