“Aldrich I’m bored.”

“Me too.”

Aldrich and Kyrie were lying next to each other. Aldrich had put away the potions back into his storage space long ago after they finished going through it. Dangling on his wrist was the spirit bracelet and frankly after twirling it for a while he became unamused.

“When is anyone going to get here?”

“Don’t know.”

He shrugs.

“Probably soon.”

Just as they said that, a group of red haired humans come walking up their hillside. Kyrie sits up and looks at them before turning to Aldrich.

“I guess all we needed to do was ask?”

Aldrich chuckles before getting up and waving to the group and proceeding down the hill to meet them.

Amongst them were familiar faces. The Sinclair household and some of their guards had come to the party mostly early. They were responsible for most of the party’s setup as Lord Sinclair had offered to host it a few months ago when he spoke to Noriko and Gaelia. They were carrying tables and covered trays of what could only be food.

First and foremost to greet Aldrich and Kyrie was Leah. She ran ahead while carrying a small covered pan. Aldrich could smell something sweet from it.

“Hey you two. Happy birthday Aldrich.”

“Thanks Leah.”

“Sorry it took so long. My father had to do something real quick but he also wanted to come with us.”

“That’s fine. I’m just glad you all came.”

“Really. Okay then you can carry this up then.”

She hands him the tray.

“Um…”

“Come on lazyhead. Did you think that you could just sit back and watch?”

Coming from behind her is a tall beautiful lady with pitch black hair and pale skin. She walks over before smacking Leah on the head.

“Excuse me Lord Aldrich, but my daughter seems to be quite the sloth.”

“No no, she’s right too. I’m sorry your family has to set this up for me, Lady Sinclair. I’ll help too.”

“How active of you. In that case could you help bring the tables?”

Leah rubs her head before complaining.

“Ow. I knew he wanted to help so I just gave him something to do, mother.”

“You mean you were trying to get out of carrying the pan up?”

“Meh, same thing.”

Lady Sinclair hits her on the head again before giving a sigh.

“What am I going to do with you?”

Aldrich and Kyrie proceeded down the hill and met with the other Sinclairs. Hiram greets them with a wave.

“Hello Aldrich. Did you come to give us a hand?”

The tables are floating in the air while being pushed along by Hiram and his brothers. On the side of the tables were activated magic symbols.

“Yeah.”

Aldrich gets behind the tables alongside Hiram and starts pushing. He notices the weight of the table.

“Hey Hiram.”

“Yeah?”

“If the tables float, then why are they still a bit heavy?”

“Oh the spell only makes the object float a certain amount. The weight is needed to keep the object from floating away completely. See the symbol’s design here.”

Hiram points at a part of the symbol.

“This is very similar to the “fly” spell but without the ability for direction and much weaker than “fly”. My father says that it works very well to transport stuff around though since the objects don't have to drag on the floor.”

“I see. Where is your father anyways?”

“What do you mean? He’s right there.”

Behind some of the floating tables and chairs is the signature lion’s mane of the lord, but his face and body is covered.

The crew of transporters eventually reach the top of the hill and set up their tables and party decorations. The decorations were white and green much like his own horns and scales. Placed up high via two poles was a banner that said “Happy First Birthday”. Though he was the honored guest, Aldrich did not mind setting up everything with his friends, but found it fun. As they were finishing up, other inhabitants of the village began appearing, each with their own gifts and food to add to the party.

By midday, over a few hundred people from all across the village had appeared. Shopkeepers, community leaders, children, and many others who had wanted to formally talk and visit the dragonling. Though he was active in the village for a year, many have not seen him outside the people who he associates with, thus prompting his birthday to be an introduction to the villagers. All of his friends also showed up, even Peter who had a restricted curfew and was escorted by several guards.The party itself however wasn’t ready to start until several important guests appeared, such as Noriko.

As he waited, other guests, both simple and important, introduced themselves to him. From a simple daughter and mother catfolk to family members of high ranking leaders of the community. Although he was not as gregarious as the other dragons, he found joy in the expressions and reactions that those who wished to meet him had. Many were happy, their first time meeting a dragon face to face, while others were excited for the first birthday of a dragon. Full-blooded dragon births were uncommon, or at least when compared to the lives of mortals. Their immortal nature and incredible resilience keeps their population high however.

As he greeted some of the last guests, he saw some familiar faces. Noriko, Yumi, and several other elves were the last to arrive.

“Yumi is sorry Yumi is late. Yumi took a quick nap with Grandpa and Yuna but Yumi forgot to wake up.”

Noriko follows up with,

“If it wasn’t for them, I’d be here earlier, Aldrich.”

Noriko’s father speaks from behind them.

“Well I did not realize that the party would be starting as soon as I took my nap.”

Bearing gifts and traditional elven food and treats, they quickly set them down before mingling with the other villagers.

Since the final important group has arrived, Lord Sinclair began calming down the chatter throughout the party. With the party beginning to quiet, he quickly voice casted “Loud Voice” and projected a speech thanking those who came and for the people to enjoy themselves. In dragon culture, everyone waits until the last person comes in order to eat together. Though they aren’t dragons, much of the cultures here are tied to them. Lord Sinclair finishes up his speech and then announces that the villagers can begin giving their blessings to Aldrich.

They begin with a birthday song wishing him for a blessed year and life before engaging in a festive buffet. Many different types of food were exchanged and eaten as different races, cultures, and families brought their own recipes and dishes. Games were set up and played with by the younger villagers while the elder ones caught up with local chatter. The party went on until evening.

As the day darkened and villagers began to leave, Aldrich wondered if his mother would show up. Much of the after party clean up was already done, but some of the tables and decorations were still around. Lord Sinclair had left early with his retainers. He didn’t say much when he left, but his children stayed behind.

Noriko came up to Aldrich. She was getting ready to leave but had received a message from an unlikely speaker. With an ecstatic look on her face, she yells out to him.

“Aldrich you won’t believe this!”

“Won’t believe what?”

“Your mom is coming back early. She’s on her way here right now!”

Aldrich, even though he was happy and smiling the entire day because of his birthday party, gave his brightest smile he had so far.

“What really!? I thought she won’t get back until tomorrow.”

“So did I.”

“Does that mean that she’ll teach me how to fly tonight?”

“Of course. Now that she’s coming back early she won’t miss the traditional dragon flight teaching.”

Aldrich, unable to contain his happiness, pounced around excitedly. Some of the children who still stayed behind were also excited as they heard Noriko and were happily celebrating with Aldrich. Leah spoke up during their prancing.

“So when will she get here?”

“Soon.”

Looking at her students, she came up with a thought.

“How about we leave Aldrich to meet his mother alone?”

The idea sparked groans and opposition from the children around who wanted to see Aldrich fly.

“Come on now, should we really impose on their special event?”

Though sad that they couldn’t see Aldrich learn how to fly, they understood that he should have some alone time with his mother.

“Aldrich, I need to get the other children home and take your gifts into the embassy so say “Hi to Gaelia for me.”

“I will. Did she say where we would meet up?”

“She said to just wait here.”

With that, Noriko bid him a farewell and left with a handful of a grin on his face, Aldrich sat down on the grassy hill.