42. Piecing the Past Together
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(Continued from our last post…)
While shaking hands with Hecubum and Saturn Horne, Spyder cleared his throat and turned towards Pip who was enjoying the moment with him but had not been properly introduced to the two guests. “Hecubum, Saturn, this is Pip, one of my oldest friends. Hecubum, when I ran into you at the council several weeks back, you mentioned you’d remembered him from Baby Belle’s discovery case. Pip was with me in the woods that day is actually the reason we found Baby Belle. If it hadn’t been for his instincts to follow the blood trail bravely into the cave, we may not have been a part of her story.”
Hecubum’s eyes lingered on Pip flickering in recognition. “Pip, YES, son it’s so wonderful to finally meet you after all these years,” he said as he wrapped his wing around him like they were practically family. “Yes… yes, I remember you. The Belle case was one of the biggest news stories in Scalesville. I tried reaching out to your mother afterward, but never could get a response from your family. Fawna was her name, wasn’t it?”
Pip politely loosened himself from Hecubum’s wing grip. “No sir… Fawna is my aunt. My mother’s name is Blusha.”
Quick to correct his mistake, the old purple dragon blinked. “Ah. My mistake. Memory fades over the years, I suppose.” His eyes sharpened in a manner that looked beyond Pip’s usually goofy resting face. Hecubum’s stare became piercing for a brief moment like he was trying to find a treasure hidden in the depths of Pip’s soul. It was awkward how quickly his stance shifted, then he asked. “Tell me again, Pip… what is your last name?”
“Azure,” Pip answered simply.
Hecubum nodded slowly. “Azure,” he echoed, then smiled politely to mask the pause. “It’s so good to finally meet you.” Saturn interjected smoothly with a warm laugh, redirecting the conversation to her compliance directives for Wing Tails Sticker Studio, then the moment was swallowed up by the noise of the celebration.
But Hecubum discreetly walked over to a nearby table, picked up a pen next to the door prize entry box, scribbled down the word “AZURE” on the back of a sticker, and slipped it into the front pocket of his satchel.
Later that night, after the celebration came to a close and nearly every guest had left, Hecubum shook hands with the whole team, thanked Spyder for a wonderful evening, and gave him an approving pat on the back. The town was quiet and the cool evening air seemed to request a bit more attention from the two dragons than a usual walk. Saturn had put extra care into her scales and makeup for the event. She didn’t cared to dress up without good reason and with that reason being over. While she was inside talking code and conduct with prominent names in town, the summer evening had settled into the perfect stage to submerge herself in a creative flight. It called to her like the limbs call the lizards.
She and her father lifted to the sky. The two soared together through clouds below stars shifting between conversation and silence - just enjoying the rare moment together as the wind sailed past their faces in refreshing waves until they reached Saturn’s home. When they landed at her doorstep, he he gave her a double wing hug and in a very protective manner said, “I love you sweetheart. I know you know that, but you need to know that I am so proud of you.” While still in a full squeeze hug from her usually rigid father, Saturn said, “I know dad. I love you too. Is everything okay?”
Hecubum pulled back into his usual character, chuckled and responded, “Of course honey. Can’t your old man get sentimental every now and then? Don’t worry about me. I’ve still got a while before I go senile.”
The evening was covered in full darkness except for the occasional street lamp and the glow from windows of houses that had not been put to bed. Hecubum knew the streets of Scalesville better than anyone in town. A lifelong resident who had spent his entire thirty-five-year career covering the most important happenings, he was privileged to closely know many of the residents. He loved his community deeply, caring for it as a father does for his children. He reminisced over details from some of his best memories and the spectacular moments he was able to be a part of.
On his walk home, he took a detour to make a late-night stop by his office intentional to carry out his curiosity there while he was alone. Hecubum settled at his desk, booted up his computer, and pulled up the records. His claws typed the name “Blusha Azure.”
The screen blinked. Married name - Married June 4, 1988 to Lewis L. Azure. His brow furrowed as he scrolled further. Formerly: Blusha Delaine Crook.
A breath caught in his chest. He reached into the bottom drawer, one he hadn’t opened in years, and picked out an old leather bound journal. He flipped to the back and pulled an old worn photo. The edges were curled, the colors faded in the 3.5 x 5” print. It was a photograph of a much younger version of himself with a beautiful blue dragon who appeared to be in her early twenties. She dawned big hair, bold eye shadow and oversized neon loop earring. Her head leaned into younger Hecubum’s chest while she sat in his lap with her legs and tail draped around his body. He turned it over to read the still visible handwritten note. Love you for always, my purple hunk - ❤️ XOXO Blusha Delaine C., May 1989.
To be continued… New dragon story installments each Friday. Subscribe below to follow the dragons. Read the beginning of it all at Blog 1: New Adventure Awaits.
