Malia and Charles rounded the corner of the street and faced a herd of smiling, joyous faces, people dancing, twirling batons, playing horned instruments, and celebrating. Multi-colored confetti burst into the air and rained down below. The procession stretched on endlessly, and as it moved, the traveling partygoers grabbed people off the street to join their growing celebration.

Malia laughed and pulled Charles into the mass of beautiful Aeonians, their skin tones spanning the ...