Carnival Parade

"Psst! Come on! Wake up!"

One eye peeped open at the rude awakening. The small pup yawned, turned to her side, and closed her eyes again. "Go away, Auntie Squiggles," she groaned. The normally exuberant pup was tired and it was still dark outside! How could Squiggles really want her to wake up already?

"Shh-hhh-hhh-hhh!" Squiggles giggled, shooting a glance at the sleeping figures of Prism and Sargoth. "Don't wake 'em up! C'mon, Bauble! It's Carnival!" Her voice hissed out the last word right in Bauble's ear. The pup's eyes shot open and she looked up at Squiggles. Squiggles nodded and bounded away. Bauble crept away, giggling quietly at being able to sneak past her parents.

Not far, a small group was gathering. All were speaking in hushed tones but occasional snickers and over-the-top shushing could be heard. Bauble spotted Amethyst, Tenian, Helium, Leaf Fall, Stratus, Libelle, Bone, Felena, Persephone, Zephie, and even Est and Lina were there! Bauble's nose told her Bleu was in attendance as well. She ran up to the group, just in time to hear Stratus trying to regain at least a little control.

"Don't wake everyone up, now! Your costumes and masks are over there, line up to get them. Zephie and Persephone will help you get dressed." Several chimed in with questions all at once.

"When are we leaving?"

"Wait, I thought I had the purple mask!"

"Hey, don't step on me!"

It was pandemonium and Bauble loved it. She leaped into the air, yipping happily. Bright colors, shiny streamers, and lots of friends! Before she could turn to get into line, she was suddenly tackled to the ground. Leaf Fall was there, laughing and tugging playfully at Bauble.

"It's Carnival!" the Ifrix exclaimed as Bauble jumped to her paws.
Right as Bauble was about to pounce on Leaf Fall, a white paw landed between them. Looking up, Bauble saw the amused expression of Est. "It's Carnival," Bauble said by way of explanation as Est quietly laughed and nudged Bauble and Leaf Fall into the line.

"Everyone who's ready, come over here. We'll line up to go from here. Est and Zephie, you two bring up the end of the line." The strong voice of Stratus somehow cut through the constant jabbering of the pack members as they frantically tried to put on their costumes. There were quite a few mishaps and Bauble's cheeks soon hurt from laughing so hard. Her costume was one shared with Leaf Fall and Bone. As the youngest of the pack (at least of the members participating), they needed something special.

The eternally-sleepy Bone yawned, his jaw almost coming unhinged. Bauble jumped onto his tail playfully. "Wake up! Don't fall asleep when we're walking!"
"I won't!" Bone grouched, yanking his tail away. "Just don't step on me! Why'd they have to pair me up with two girls," he grumbled under his breath, hiding beneath the head.

The three youngsters were in a large costume in the shape of a large, colorful Lozephar. Bone had the job of being the head while Leaf Fall and Bauble each had a wing. Once fully in the costume, the three wandered over to where Stratus was waiting. He instructed them to their place in the lineup, near the middle of the group. By the time everyone else was ready, the sun was already blazing high in the sky. Bauble could barely contain her excitement as Stratus once more called attention to himself. It was time to go!

The line started to move and right away, Nerox and Ifrix were getting tangled up as a large pile of paws and wings blocked the path. Bauble fell over laughing, certain she'd remember that sight all her life. The second attempt went a little better, with only Helium, Felena and Libelle tripping over their elaborate masks and costumes. Poor Libelle looked like she wanted to crawl into a ditch when Stratus looked their way and Felena started complaining about mud the instant her wide hide hit the ground. Helium laughed in a way that told everyone she'd tripped the group up on purpose. Est was there, though, to help untangle the three and to talk to Helium.

Finally, they were able to set out. Stratus led the group, sporting a large, gaudy costume of a Puco, the wings sticking way out on the sides. Together, the pack paraded down a path toward the Elder's cave. Their little show attracted many, many other Nerox. Leaf Fall and Bauble made sure to get as much attention as they could, imitating the call of a Lozephar and jumping in time to mimic the wings flapping. Bone still grumbled from the head but Bauble didn't pay attention. She soaked up the cheers and laughter of the crowd, knowing that their parade was the best ever.

Up ahead, Bauble saw Prism and Sargoth, watching the group. "Mama! Papa! Loooooook!" she called, making an effort to be as Lozephar-like as possible. Prism smiled and nodded her head and Bauble knew her parents were proud of her. More familiar faces up ahead. Bauble spotted Tarian Golden Eye and saw Leaf Fall strut a little taller. The Ifrix pup suddenly had a more intent expression on her face and to Bauble's surprise, suddenly a small gust of wind blew beneath their costume, making it look like the Lozephar really was flying! "Ah! Keep doing that!" Bauble urged and Leaf Fall did her best to keep the wind blowing.

Then, on the left, right before the Elder's cave, Bauble saw a new face but one she'd heard about. "Granny! Granny, over her!" she called to the older female, waving the wing. "Okay, Leaf Fall, let's make this good!" Bauble lunged forward, taking hold of Bone's tail in her teeth, making him jump and the head bob. Right away, Leaf Fall used her magic to send in the wind again. Leaf Fall and Bauble leaped into the air, putting on a rather convincing show. "That's for you, Granny!" Bauble called as they moved on. Now there was only the Elder left to impress.

The parade ended at the Elder's cave. The Elder came out to see the spectacle, and though Leaf Fall was getting very tired, the three tried the same tactic. A stronger breeze blew through them and Bauble looked behind herself to see Helium concentrating on using her air magic to help. The entire group performed their best for the Elder. Bauble knew they'd made everyone's day better with their parade, even if Felena had complained the whole time about the mud and even if Bone had been cranky. It was good that it was over, though. Leaf Fall fell asleep almost immediately, having used up too much power, and the adults looked pretty fatigued as well. Amethyst came up to bring Leaf Fall to Tarian and Bauble ran back to where Sargoth and Prism were waiting.

"Did I make a good Lozephar?" Bauble asked, her eyes shining.

"Of course you did, my daughter," Prism replied, smiling and nuzzling her pup. "I thought you were real at first."

"Oh, Mama! Don't be silly!" Bauble laughed, burrowing her face into her father's fur. "I bet we made the Elder really happy," she said contentedly. "I bet he liked our parade a lot!"

Bauble didn't need to be a mind-reader to know that. They had brought smiles to all sorts that day. They had made this Carnival one to remember.