It seemed much later when I started waking up. I wasn't even sure when I had drifted off to sleep. Though, it was probably beneficial for my mood that I had taken a nap.

Tuskon was already under the covers fast asleep with the lights dimmed low. I was happy to see my egg in the sand tray staying warm. My mood turned slightly south as I realized that whatever had just happened was not a dream.

I silently stood up in a quick stretch and lightly stepped across the bed to the night stand. Laying down, I nuzzle the last connection I had to Dan.

I listened to the light breathing of my caretaker. His reaction to hearing me talk wasn't what I had expected. I still didn't know what to think of all that was going on. Now that he knew, I might as well be straight forward and ask him instead of guessing.

However, Tuskon didn't seem like he was going to wake up anytime soon. If I was going to ask him anything, I'd have to wait til "morning". Though, how they were able to tell the time of day out in space was beyond me.

* * *

I tried sleeping some more, but it didn't last. My mind was too distracted to stay in a rested state for any longer.

I simply basked under the lamp as I waited for Tuskon to rise from slumber. I wasn't nearly as patient as I knew my caretaker could be. How I was able to stay so patient was a huge mystery to me. I have never been so patient in my life.

Tuskon woke how he normally did. With a deep breath, his mind was aroused from sleep and he was instantly awake. The only time I haven't seen him like this was the morning after the over glorified baby shower. There was no explaining these aliens and their weird physiology.

He sat up, giving me full view of his chest, "Good morning."

I'd usually humor him with a whistle, though there wasn't any point in doing that now. I tapped into his mind and replied, "Morning."

Tuskon got out of bed and pulled on a clean pair of clothes, "How about some breakfast."

I sat up and stretched before looking at him, "Sure."

Blowing a low flame, I turned the egg in the sand before flying to Tuskon's padded shoulder. He held an apple slice just close enough for me to take it without any effort.

I accepted the offering and leaned out over his shoulder to get a better look into the dish he was holding. This container reminded me of the fridge thing in their kitchen, and probably acted similarly. Despite it being at least three days old, it didn't taste any different than the ones I'd had fresh back on Earth.

With my eyesight as good as new, I surveyed the dish of assorted fruit before whining, "No strawberries?"

Tuskon laughed at my distraught mind voice before pulling out another fruit dish, "I stored the strawberries separately."

My tail swished behind me as I eyed the container longingly. Putting the assorted fruits up, he quickly brought out my favorite food item. Right as it was within my reach, I grabbed it in my hands to enjoy it at my own pace.

Despite going at a slower speed, Tuskon was patient as I savored my breakfast. Even though I was enjoying the large amount of strawberries, I had to stop before my stomach decided it wanted to burst.

I shook out my scales, letting them ring the familiar chime as I lounged over his shoulder lazily, "You didn't lose the scrubbing oil did you?"

Tuskon packed up the dishes before looking curiously at me, "Based on your reaction, I'd assume you liked the oiling?"

I sent a line of amusement with my mind voice, "There is nothing that can compare to whatever that oil is."

The Kymari raised an eyebrow, "It's that good?"

I didn't say anything as I just hummed my agreement.

Tuskon sat in the reading chair as he took out the scrubbing pad and oil. I waited on his shoulder until he held up his fist, showing he was ready for me. I accepted the lift to his lap before relaxing with the soothing massage.

My eyelids were feeling extremely heavy by the time Tuskon started talking in a calm low voice, "Would you mind if I asked you a question?"

I didn't feel like being sarcastic as I hummed my response, "Sure."

Tuskon steadied his breathing as he continued buffing my scales, "Have you always been able to talk?"

I kept my eyes shut as I let my mind follow the pad as it flowed over my right wing, "It depends on what you mean."

He finished my right wing and moved on to the other one, "Well, is it a side effect of the procedure?"

I opened my eyes and couldn't stop the laughter as it traveled through the mindlink, "Ha ha hah, no it's not. I've always had the capability to talk with you, I just chose not to."

I stretched out my wing so he could reach under the small folds, "Why not?"

My amusement sunk as I mused through my thoughts. The scientists were clearly the first reason with the white aliens coming awfully close. The fear of us being killed due to our intelligence was very strong. Even though I knew that wouldn't happen with the Kymari, the instinct engraved into my mind wouldn't simply leave.

I closed my eyes once again as I let my voice ring softly onto his thoughts, "That's a question for another day."

Tuskon dropped the subject and finished the oiling in silence. I didn't mind as I was feeling drowsy once again.

I was set under the heat before sleep completely overtook me. Blinking away the darkness, I watched as Tuskon set everything neatly away.

His face hadn't changed, yet I could tell he was hiding something, "We'll reach the planet's atmosphere within the hour. I'll be right back."

I sat there as my eyes followed his large form to the door, "What's behind the mask?"

He stopped and looked back at me confused, "I'm not wearing a mask?"

I was sure he could hear the unconvinced laughter behind my mind voice, "I've hidden behind that mask my whole life. There's no way I wouldn't recognise it, even if it was on a strangers face."

Tuskon lowered his hand from the door panel, "I was trying not to make you nervous."

This time I laughed freely, "I'm always nervous, Tuskon. Everything makes me nervous."

Lifting his hand to his head, he let out a breath, "I'm sorry. I just- don't know how to act around you any more."

I looked deep into his eyes as I spoke, "I'm still me, Tuskon. The only one who's acting differently is you."

He closed his eyes tight before his voice turned unsure and afraid, "Do you expect me to keep treating you like an animal?"

My mind was still as I continued looking into his soul, "Yes, I do. That's what I am."

Tuskon tried to interrupt, "But-"

"We aren't like the Kymari. If we are left alone in peace because we are just animals, so be it."

My caretaker still had questions on his mind, "If you wanted to be left alone, why did you come to me on that path?"

I took a few seconds to collect my thoughts, "Just because we are animals, doesn't mean we are simple creatures." I paused, "No, forget I said that. That sounds way too smart to be coming from me."

Tuskon walked over and sat on the edge of the bed as he waited. I let silence cover us in a comfortable blanket as I sorted through my jumbled thoughts.

The color of his face had slightly changed back to his more natural hue when I started speaking again, "Dan wanted to help hunt sicora. I wanted to stay with Dan. It's as simple as that. As to why we chose you, I don't know. You were so kind and calm, we were just drawn to you. Looking at you now, I can see a huge change in character. It's as if you're an entirely different person."

Tuskon's voice was lighter, "I guess it wasn't that great a mask if it wasn't able to fool you."

I wanted to laugh and compare him to the horrible gambler my mother was, but I held my tongue, "Go eat. I can feel your mind swimming with questions, but we have time for that later."

Tuskon smiled and silently left the room. Truth was, I couldn't tell what was going on inside his head, I just wanted to sound more mysterious, or something. I also wanted him to leave sooner since talking that much in a short amount of time had tired me mentally. After all, turning into a dragonet had not erased the introvert inside of me.

I let out a shaky breath and looked over at the still form laying in the sand. Three weeks was quite a long time to watch an egg and keep it warm.

My thoughts spun back to my lost egg. It hadn't even been a day since I lost half of my brood and revealed myself, yet I could feel something inside of me changing. This warm ball of feeling seemed to sit right next to the overwhelming ball of depression inside of me.

It was small, extremely so, yet it hadn't been overrun by the terrible feeling of sorrow that plagued me for so long. It was a tiny and miserable seed, but deep down, I wished it would someday outgrow the weed that had its roots imbedded into my soul. I wasn't sure if it was even possible. My father would probably compare it to a mustard seed, and I'd laugh and agree with him just to end his lecture early.

It surprised me that I was still able to remember so much about my old life. Of course I couldn't remember a lot of other things like the street I was moving onto or what my parent's house looked like, but the odd details still remained.

I turned over the small protected life as I waited for Tuskon to return. The tiny seed like feeling inside of me had slowly vanished and I was no longer able to pin it down. The weed was still there and easy to spot, but I let it be as there was nothing I could do with roots that deep.

My conversation with Tuskon had stirred me. After our talk, I was sure he had more questions bubbling to the surface just waiting to pop. I could only wait in anticipation as to what he might try to ask me next. My nerves felt tight like they always did right before a big test or important interview.

I waited for a while before Tuskon came back. I had expected him to start asking questions right away yet he acted as if nothing had actually happen.

The silence slightly bothered me so I decided to ask a question to break the tension, "What was that object you bought right before I had my eyes fixed?"

Tuskon looked like he hadn't expected me to speak first, "It's a tracker and chip. I was going to implant it under your skin in the case that something happened."

The thought of it piercing my skin terrified me but I kept it out of my mind voice, "Are you still going to?"

Tuskon smiled, "I want to keep you safe, but I'll only do it if you're willing."

I shut my eyes as discomfort filled my voice, "It's going to hurt, isn't it?"

He shrugged, "I'm not sure. I've never had one."

My eyes were slits as I stared at him, "If I bite you, it's your own fault for being too slow."

I watched as he chuckled lightly before he continued his packing. He must have thought long and hard while he was eating to be so calm now. There was no way I could change so boldly.

Though, despite everything, I was glad things could stay the same between us.