The day did not dawn bright and beautiful. In fact, the dawn was noticeably absent.

 

Of course, that was entirely due to the setting chosen by the Council of Intergalactic Unity: the planet Azurion Lumina, which existed in a perpetual state of twilight.

 

The historic wedding of Valmari, an Ambergleam Moth, to Rilldup, a Zephoric Drifter, was the event of the season. Never before had such a union existed, and many in the united galaxies had their doubts it would prove successful.

 

After all, Ambergleam Moths had been shiftbreeders for thousands of years, hermaphrodites who fertilized their own eggs. There was no need for them to take a mate.

 

And Zephoric Drifters… well, no one really knew much about them. They were an odd bunch, looking like a cross between a manatee and an octopus, with homely faces and a dozen long, fleshy, tentacles. Their giant, balloon-like bodies rode the gaseous waves of the atmosphere, enabling them to hover twenty feet above the surface.

 

Although their size was impressive, they were gentle creatures — though it should be noted that their electrified defense system would occasionally be triggered by an accidental bump, leading to the unintentional scorching of a careless friend.

 

The two were an odd couple indeed, as they perched on the rise looking down at the guests gathered in Cratera Argonite, a natural amphitheater.

 

Rilldup’s grey, speckled skin, covered with thousands of unsightly nutrient-seeking warts, only served to emphasize the showy elegance of Valmari.

 

Valmari’s wings spanned an impressive five feet and shimmered with bioluminescent patterns, changing colors with her moods. The fine downy hairs covering her body echoed her wings’ hues with a two-second delay… which could be confusing in moments of high emotion.

 

The ceremony was to be performed by Elder Cragamor, a Shard Beast, but as the couple alternately perched, hovered, and bobbed on the rise, the murmurs began.

 

“Where is Cragamor? Does anyone see him?”

 

This was a legitimate question, as Shard Beasts resemble rock formations for both defensive and predatory reasons. They move so stealthily that they’re often mistaken for cliffs and rocky outcroppings, until… bam! They’re right on top of you. Quite literally.

 

Valmari’s wings pulsed an anxious orange as the minutes passed, and Rilldup drifted slowly upward as his temperature began to rise.

 

The tentacle clasped by Valmari’s thin, segmented foreleg was soon pulled taut, like a balloon on a string… that is, a thick, bumpy string covered with warts.

 

“Oh, dear,” murmured Foosimi, a soft-hearted creature who resembled a blob of slime. “I believe the delay is making Rilldup nervous.”

 

“Is he nervous or is he trying to escape?”

 

The comment came from a Green Tivaloid. Known as comedians in their galaxy, they’re reputed to have short lifespans, perhaps not coincidentally.

 

His remark earned a dirty look from all ten eyes of a nearby Polyoptica, who was obviously a friend of the bride.

 

Suddenly, a lone Filamentar’s arms waved wildly above his bisected head, all sixteen of his wiry appendages pointing in different directions.

 

“Look!” he exclaimed unhelpfully. “There’s Cragamor now!”

 

Those standing closest to the Filamentar looked east, west, north, south, up, and down, before finally seeing the Shard Beast.

 

Elder Cragamor was now within yards of the happy couple. Rilldup slowly descended until he hovered at Valmari’s side. Her pleasure was evident, and her wings’ colors cycled between fuchsia and cerulean.

 

Right on cue, the ethereal music of the melodiflora vines commenced, echoing off the cliffs. The multi-colored, bell-shaped blossoms shook with minute vibrations, emitting an enchanting sound, reminiscent of windchimes and violins.

 

The music swelled and then quieted to a whisper as Cragamor rumbled his initial pronouncements.

 

Shard Beasts do not use a verbal language in a way that can be translated, but his meaning was clear. Valmari and Rilldup turned to face each other, exchanging their vows.

 

AmberGleam Moths communicate in a high-frequency pitch, rendering much of Valmari’s vows outside of the guests’ range of hearing. Nonetheless, they did admire the way her wings and body began to glow golden, then green, then pink, as she professed her undying affection.

 

Rilldup’s voice surprised several guests who were unfamiliar with Zephoric Drifters. His immense size was at odds with his squeaking tones, more suited to a mouse. His reciprocating vow of peeps and snuffles, punctuated by earnest squeals, caused some of the guests to snicker.

 

The crowd collectively held their breath as Cragamor rumbled once more, giving his blessing and pronouncing Valmari and Rilldup officially wed.

 

A cacophony of high-pitched whistles, guttural grunts, and strange roars echoed through Cratera Argonite as the guests cheered their approval.

 

Rilldup and Valmari leaned in toward each other for their first kiss as joined beings.

 

The climbing beaconbloom plants, native to Azurion Lumina, unfortunately chose that moment to shine their crystal-stamen spotlights on the couple, startling Rilldup, who was already understandably nervous.

 

Just as his lips touched Valmari’s, his electric defense system sparked, sending an unpleasant jolt shooting between them.

 

Frightened, Valmari immediately glowed an ominous red, recoiling and beating her wings furiously. Their colors pulsed in shades of black and scarlet, while the last vestiges of “pleased pink” faded from her body. A wickedly sharp stinger popped out from the top of her head; the AmberGleam Moth’s auto-response to threats.

 

Possessed by primal instinct, Valmari charged her new husband, driving the stinger deep into his rubbery flesh, releasing fatal toxins.

 

Rilldup shrieked in pain, trying frantically to rise away from the threat, but his punctured body could not hold air. He collapsed into a giant heap on the ground.

 

Apparently mortified by her reflexive murder of her own spouse, Valmari hastily took flight, leaving the shocked guests staring after her as she disappeared into the beautiful twilight sky.

 

The climbing beaconblooms’ spotlights followed her as far as they could, before swiveling to shine down on Rilldup’s colossal, crumpled form.

 

The Green Tivaloid broke the silence, his voice booming over the speechless crowd.

 

“So… who wants cake?”