Rodimus pushed his hair back from his face and looked up at the stars. Nearby Rainbow Dash slept peacefully in spite of the odd position she'd ended up in, on her back one leg in the air... He chuckled softly. She didn't do anything by halves, everything even sleep was all in. He was restless however. The sounds of the Solstice Celebration were still going, but the music had turned toward softer tunes at this late hour. Roddy and Dash weren't the only ones who'd sought a spot to rest for the evening.

Finally knowing sleep wasn't going to come to him for some time, he decided to go back and wander the Celebration grounds again. There were still a few drifting, a couple food stalls still serving some snacks and beverages, the dance floor was mostly pairs now some choosing the more traditional formal motions, others just swaying together. He sighed envying them just a bit... Rodimus had never lacked in receiving admiration, and even now a few ulaya eyed him speculatively as he passed. Thankfully they seemed to notice his mood, that he wanted to be alone with his thoughts....

He grabbed a stick of grilled meat and vegetables and sat to one side watching the others while allowing old memories to wash over him. Once a upon a time he'd been a young kit like so many others with parents and siblings. It'd been a very traditional family. The parents teaching children how to care for themselves in the wide world; hunting, gathering, interactions with other ulaya. After they'd reached adulthood he and his siblings were kindly but firmly pushed out of the "nest" and into the world, parents having done their job in preparing them for it.

From then Rodimus had lived in the moment, his childhood memories mostly forgotten turning up from time to time with a bit of a haze over them. Coming to the Festival had brought so many good memories up out of the fog. He remembered this, the crowds, the sights, the food, games and especially the music. His mother's voice had been so beautiful she'd occasionally been pressured to lead some of the carols and had soon been hauling the kits up with her. Roddy grinned as he remember how much he'd enjoyed being up on the stage, being the center of attention as his voice rose with those of his mom and siblings.

Although the tunes were the same, there currently wasn't any formal singing accompanying it. A few in the audience sang along with the music. Finished with his food Rodimus was tempted to join them, but there were mostly females and he didn't want that kind of attention right then... at least not from any of them. Besides he hadn't really tested his full voice in song for years, he wasn't ready. He needed the crowd of day and that slight anonymity. He'd been tempted a few times, but Dash was always there and after her embarrassed dismissal of singing on their first day Roddy couldn't bring himself to do it. Still he sang a bit to himself as he continued to wander.

He took note of some of the games, currently closed, that might interest Dash when they returned in the morning. There was one that mixed targets with a race, whoever got the most balls through the target in the set time won. That would be fun for both of them.

He noticed as he walked that a lot of the remaining ulaya seemed to be heading in the same direction. He looked up and spotted the shrine. Ahhh yes, the wishing well! He remembered lining up and dancing on eager paws until it was his turn to toss a token into the water and offer his wish to the gods. He patted his jacket pocket, yep he still had some coins from when they exchanged items with one of the vendors.

Wondering over, he didn't know exactly what he wanted to wish for. As he joined the line he heard some whispered conversations. "Yes, I saw them myself, a pair of draco'ula!" "They were huge!" "He was really nice to me, gave me some advice." "She was kinda scary. I thought she was going to get me with that tail for a minute when..." "It was awesome."

Now that he would have liked to see. He'd met a draco in passing once and wondered if the male could have been Raphael, the philosopher healer. His mountain wasn't too far from here. The draco had seemed lonely, Roddy hoped the mystery male had been him. If any deserved a good mate it was he who did so much to help others despite their fears of him.

The line wasn't too long at the late hour and it wasn't long before Rodimus found himself in front the Shrine... still slightly at a loss for a wish. Still he tossed in a coin and began instead with his thanks...

"Thank you for leading us here today, for memories returned and the new ones I'm making with a beautiful, energetic, unique, and wonderful friend. Thank you to leading me to her and giving me the strength to rescue her."

Ahh now there was a wish, but could he actually give it voice? Did he have to? He closed his eyes I wish for the time to see where the road we're on will take us. I hope to have her in my life for a long time as a friend and dare I wish more than a friend. Her laughter and energy are contagious, she's brought me a joy I haven't felt in a long time..... Even in his heart he couldn't find more words to express what he wanted to say, the impressions that crazy Rainbow-girl had made on him in their short time together.... He took a deep breath and looked up at the stars. His heart again filled with gratitude as he rang the gong to complete the ceremony.

More at peace with his memories and a bit more sure of how he was feeling about them and the events of the here and now, Rodimus made his way back to the quiet nest where he'd left Dash sleeping. She'd moved again... on her belly now with one paw up over her head. He curled up beside her, though he longed to cuddle around her, knowing full well being this close risked a kick in the head the next time she moved... and finally drifted off to sleep his dreams full of laughter as he chased rainbows through the clouds...