Found Friends

“C’mon, Dad! We’ll be late!”

“We have time, Ducky. We’ll be able to see them launching the lanterns”.

“But we need to get a good spot now before they fill up!”

Dominic sighed and nodded. “Alright Ducky. Slow down for your old dad though”.

It was not Ducky’s first Rite of the Reef, but the lumendra sure acted like it was as she zipped to the cliff sides to secure the best vantage point. Dominic pondered, not for the first time, how she managed to run faster on her five pairs of legs than Dominic was able to fly. Ducky’s pet lutris, Bubbles, bounded after her.

Faians from all over the realm were now gathering on the cliffs. Most were in groups, some were by themselves, and others were with their critters. Lumendras seemed to be in the majority due to the cliff’s proximity to the nearby lumendra village, the same one that Dominic and Ducky lived on the outskirts of. Dominic wondered how so many Faians found out about this spot. Last year it seemed to be just the locals hanging out to watch the lanterns.

They had left the house a little later than Ducky would have liked. She had already packed their blanket and was pacing back and forth when Dominic got home from work… about an hour before the festivities actually started. It was the first night that Dominic and Ducky could go together to see the lanterns drifting off in the water.

Ducky suddenly stopped, causing Bubbles to bump into her.

“Here! Here’s the perfect spot!” Ducky yelled to Dominic, loud enough that several Faians stopped to look in her direction. Ducky started to unfurl the large blanket she was carrying on her back. It was the same one they used on the beach and for tea parties. Dominic came over to help her. They were close enough to the cliff’s edge that they got a good view of the waters below, but not so close that it made Dominic nervous for Ducky’s safety. The weather had held out for them. There was not a cloud in the sky as the sun began to dip down the horizon. It was a peaceful view.

“Where’s Bubbles!?” Ducky exclaimed suddenly.

Dominic’s heart skipped a beat. He looked around and couldn’t see the tidal lutris anywhere. The crowds around were getting thicker, the sun was starting to set, and everyone’s attention would soon be on the lanterns that would be drifting in the sea below. He could go looking around for Bubbles, but his large tortuvina body would block the views of those gathering to watch the lanterns. He could fly over the crowds, but the lutris was small and would be hard to spot from above. Ducky would want to go off on her own to find her pet, but this was a special night and Dominic did not want her to miss what she had been looking forward to all week.

“Bubbles??” Ducky called out before lowering her voice to a stage whisper when she saw strangers looking at her in confusion. “Bubbles?”

“Hey, do you need any help?” a candle noodle trotted over to check out what was going on. Ducky nodded furiously and explained that her precious pet had disappeared when it was right there just a minute ago.

“Oh dear”, the kindly candle noodle stated, her split colored flames flickering. “Would you like my help in searching for Bubbles?”

Ducky glanced at her father’s approving gaze before accepting the help. The candle noodle began to go from group to group to ask if they’ve seen a tidal lutris running about.

Dominic set himself down on the blanket and sighed, trying to decide what he should do in this situation. A lump moved under him. He shot up quickly in surprise before settling into a hover a few feet over the ground. The lump squirmed under the blanket, and Dominic smiled. He found the critter.

“I’m sorry, Bubbles”, Dominic said while lifting the blanket up. “I didn’t know you were there”.

The lutris looked around in confusion at its change in scenery. Whether Bubbles had accidently been covered by the blanket or sought out the hiding spot, Dominic did not know. Dominic managed to flag down both Ducky and the nice candle noodle to tell them the search was over.  Ducky squealed in delight when she saw her pet, and almost tackled Bubbles to give it a hug.

“Bubbles! There you are! Where were you!?” This outburst was not noticed by the crowds around them, their attentions focused on the waters below.

 “Okay, calm down you. I think I can see some lights down there”, Dominic stated. Ducky enthusiastically thanked the candle noodle for her help. The stranger smiled before saying her goodbyes, and headed into the crowds. With a big grin on her face Ducky settled on the blanket next to her dad, still holding onto Bubbles.

The lanterns were launched and drifting out to sea. The lights, as seen from their sources and reflecting off the water, were beautiful. From the view above, they were almost indistinguishable from the stars that were coming out overhead. Ooohs and aaahs could be heard from the murmuring crowds around them. The gathering lasted until the last lights disappeared over the horizon. The various Faians that stayed until the end began to pack up their belongings.

“Say, how would you like to make a lantern tomorrow? We can go down to the shore and launch it with everyone”, Dominic said to Ducky. He glanced over to where she was lying and saw that she was fast asleep, clinging to a wide-awake Bubbles. Dominic chortled at the sight.

“Sorry again, Bubbles”, said Dominic. Bubbles just looked at him.

Dominic gently pried the lutris from Ducky’s grip before picking up both of them and placing them on his back among his mist. He folded up the blanket and started to take to the air, though he was only a short distant from the ground. Dominic kept his pace slow and steady, unwilling to let the smaller Faian or her pet fall off on their way back home. On the way, the tortuvina noticed the candle noodle from before walking by herself. Dominic stopped her to thank her again for helping in the search for Bubbles.

“It was nothing. We all have to look out for each other. That’s what makes a community work”.

Dominic smiled, agreed with her, and introduced himself and the sleeping Ducky. The candle noodle said that her name was Nushaba. Goodnights were exchanged and they both went on their separate ways.

Dominic thought back to the initial meeting between them, and began to regret not inviting the candle noodle to sit with them after they found Bubbles. He hoped that they’d see Nushaba again to make up for the faux pas. Maybe she would show up in town tomorrow to make a lantern, or be by the shore to send one out in the ocean. The Rite of the Reef was not over yet.