I love this story so much @~@ I'm probably going to add more, but for now, I have a feeling my two star crossed lovers won't be returning to their rightful places, heh. Think of this as part one of this prompt, maybe? They had met twice before, when they were children, and in the form of beasts. He was a dragon, all muscle, crimson, and authority. She was a unicorn, sleek, silver, and ethereal. He was the Prince of Dragons, and she was the Princess of Unicorns. He was blessed by the Sun, and she was blessed by the Moon. He harnessed the power of fire and flight, while she governed water and earth. They were said to be saviors of their kingdoms because none other could produce and manipulate magic as well as they could.
They met during dusk when the sun and the moon shared the sky. They found each other at the borders of their kingdoms, in the golden wheat of the Glory Plains, and they were intrigued by each other. They were the complete opposites, but when they came together, strange magic was cast between them as they frolicked like any innocent children would do during play. Gold and silver light trailed after their steps; the gold following his talons whilst the silver sparked from her hooves. And they became friends. They kept in contact through mirrors, letters, and even mere whispers when their magic was strong enough. Their bond grew over time from acquaintances to the best of friends, and eventually to something even more. But, neither one would admit it to the other. The second time they finally met in a physical form, each had mastered human form. A celebration of the Solar Eclipse was in order, and both Kingdoms came together to recognize the event with their blessed heirs. An alliance was made where the Dragons swore protection to the Unicorn Kingdom, whose King had passed on from illness and whose Queen could not cope. The Prince of Dragons dressed in the finest gold robes that made his warm skin glow. His hair, as golden as the sun, was light and pointed in every direction like he had just awoken from a deep slumber. It gave him the illusion of a fiery crown, and the Princess of Unicorns found it charming. She wore a silk dress that shimmered like a quiet stream. It was long and trailed behind her as if she was a goddess of water and sound. With each step, her dress rippled like quiet waves. Her mane was silver due to magic and never age; thin, long, and not a hair out of place. Their eyes had met, red against blue, and at that moment they were thinking the same thing. They had spent most of their childhood and teenage years whispering to each other their deepest thoughts and secrets. No two beings knew each other more than these two blessed heirs. The forbidden thought crossed their minds… What would they look like naked and tangled with one another now that they shared a human form; their wildest and most secret dreams now possible? But it was a fantasy neither could admit nor achieve. They were the heirs to their own kingdoms and it was their honored responsibility to wed those worthy and chosen to be their mates. Their second meeting, on the Solar Eclipse, was far…far…too short. Selena, the Princess of Unicorns, couldn’t bear the pain she felt when they had parted, and she did what she thought was responsible. She ended all contact with the Prince of Dragons. Now that she was of age, she could not be thinking of another man, one she could never even hope to attain, while her mother offered her appropriate suitors monthly. Phoebus, the Prince of Dragons, couldn’t be more hurt. His love for Selena went far deeper than she could’ve realized. He tried any possible way to reach her through magic and through mortal means, but she would not answer. The very reality that Selena was no longer in his reach, even as friends crushed him deeply and he fell into despair. The only future contact he received from her kingdom was an invitation to her engagement party. Phoebus, unable to accept the fact that Selena had moved on and had found a suitor, accepted immediately. He had to see it for himself, to be able to move on and let the silver unicorn go… ~*~ “You look simply stunning!” Selena turned to her mother, offering a small smile. “But, mother…” she said quietly and touched the gown she wore. “Is it appropriate that I wear white? It’s… it’s too much-” “Nonsense!” Her mother took her hands, “don’t be so modest dear…tonight is your night, this is your party, and you deserve to look your best!” She exclaimed. Selena watched the pride blossom in her mother’s green eyes. “Shouldn’t I look my best, wearing only white, on my wedding day?” The Princess of Unicorns turned from her mother to stand before the giant mirror. Her mother stood beside her, equal in height, but separated by age. Her mother’s face was wrinkled from worry ever since the death of her husband. Her hair was long, to the floor, and braided neatly to keep out of her way. Selena looked at herself and saw a grown Princess; tall, slender, with a broad forehead, a small mouth, bright blue eyes, and silver hair that she cut so short she looked like a pixie. It was the only thing she could do to feel in control, even if it upset her mother and many of her suitors. Her mother caught Selena staring at her hair, and she began to flutter over it. “I really wish you hadn’t cut it so short dear,” the Queen of the Unicorns chided. “What possessed you to do so?” She questioned, and it was a question she had asked multiple times. Selena felt the tears coming. She swallowed back the wave of emotions she suddenly felt and looked to the floor. “Oh sweetie, it doesn’t look so bad! Here, we’ll just add more flowers to it,” her mother began to clip a tulip here, and tie a ribbon there, while Selena looked to the floor and held the tears back. She’d never admit that she cut her hair short to match the wild bedhead she saw on the Dragon Prince. “There, all done.” Her mother gripped Selena’s shoulders proudly. The Princess of Unicorns looked to her reflection and the short hair her mother had tamed. It was a reflection of her future, how her life would always and forever be prim, proper, and controlled. It almost broke her heart, but she smiled at her mother who was so happy for her. “Thank you, mother.” “Now, you come out when you’re ready,” her mother hugged her tightly. Their reflection in the mirror only reminded Selena just how white her dress was against the silver of her mothers. Soon, they’d be hugging on her wedding day… “But don’t make your guests wait!” Her mother let her go, kissed her on the cheek, and headed out the door. The Princess of Unicorns stood alone in her chamber. The white marble walls around her felt as if they were closing in, the only sound was the quiet mumbles of her personal fountain of water and the guests she kept waiting downstairs. She knew her fiancé, a Unicorn Stallion from a distant land north of here would be waiting for her downstairs. She wondered if the Dragon Prince would be as well… or would he ignore her invitation after she had, in turn, ignored him? She couldn’t think about that now…she had an entrance to make. Her kingdom, her family, her friends, her fiancé…her very species was waiting for her. This was her party, but it felt more like a prison walk. She swallowed thickly, checked her makeup, and headed for the door. She left her room, and her past, regrettably behind. She raised her head and walked the passage towards the grand hall where her guests awaited her appearance. Before she turned the corner, she was stopped by one of her guards. “Are you ready for your announcement, My Lady?” He asked professionally. She stared at him, as if she had the option to say no, return to her room, and go back to her past where she immaturely thought about a fantasy she could never have, with a Dragon Prince who may or may not share the same feelings. “Of course, thank you, Sir…” his name escaped her. His skin was tan compared to the others of their kind, and it caught her attention. “Sir Lightfoot,” he bowed his head. “Sunfire Lightfoot,” he finished. The name intrigued her. “Sunfire…” “Yes My’ Lady,” he cleared his throat. “I’m from the Sun herds near the Dragon’s Kingdom.” And then she understood. He was from one of the bachelor bands, a small herd of stallions that dedicated their lives to protecting the kingdom at all costs. Each was assigned a corner of their country to protect. Sometimes, when the stallions began to bicker over growing numbers, some were transferred to the palace. “May I ask, Sir Lightfoot…” she spoke softly, hesitantly. He tilted his head, curious to her question. “What… what is your opinion of the Dragons and their Kingdom, those who your family protects us from?” She asked. “Well,” he gave a smile. “They’re a lively bunch, all fire, and bite they are. We’ve had our battles in the past, but they’re overall noble, strong, and interesting to be around.” He even sounded proud to be an associate of the dragons. “The alliance was one of the best things we could’ve done for the Kingdom.” “Thank you, Sir Lightfoot.” She said, holding back a smile. Then a bit more stiffly, “you will announce me now.” The guard suddenly stood straighter and cleared his throat. “Yes My’ Lady…” he left her side quickly, walking around the corner and appearing at the top of the stairs. He called for the guest’s attention, and the silence that followed was enough to make the Princess of Unicorns want to flee. But she couldn’t. As the guard called out her name, she found herself automatically rounding the corner and appearing from behind the blue curtains. The crowd cheered as she walked down each step, plastering on a smile for her audience dressed in the nations colors; white, blue, and silver. They all looked so happy for her, and for the future of their kingdom. She couldn’t ruin that with the thought of dragons…. And yet, as she descended the middle of the steps, she saw them. Dotted throughout her citizens, she saw those dressed in robes of scarlet and gold. Their skin dark and tan, their eyes flashing red, and their hair both brunette and blond all around the room. They were like torches, spreading warmth in a pasty gray world. And they were all smiling at her, many clapping... They had come for her in celebration as if she were their own Princess of Dragons, but why? And then her breath hitched. In the back of the crowd, standing near the exit like he might flee any second, was the Prince of Dragons. She felt her throat tighten and her heart flutter like a bird caught in her chest. She stopped, right in the middle of the staircase, unaware of her distressed look. She had hoped he would not come, and yet deep down hoped even more that maybe she’d catch one last glimpse of him. He looked the same as before, broad chested and strong; though his eyes were sad and dark, his clapping not as enthusiastic as the rest of her audience. He didn’t look her up and down like most and instead, his blood red eyes seemed to pierce her very soul... or to the left of her? “Are you alright, dear?” Selena jumped, her body still tense as she gave out a shaky laugh. Her fiancé, still a stranger to her, stood beside her and placed a hand on the small of her back. “Yes, I’m just so shocked by how many are here…” she admitted. “Well, they’re celebrating us, so you shouldn’t keep them waiting.” He said a bit firmly with a smile that was less than sincere. She bit her bottom lip for a moment and nodded. “Yes, of course.” She was escorted down the steps by her fiancé, who was tall, lean, and had straight black hair and piercing blue eyes. He was from the north, an icy kingdom that was hard and relentless. She had learned over the course of the nobles stay, that Nicholas Snowden was a dominant man who got things done. He was the most appropriate suitor to become their next King. He was strong, level headed, determined, confident, a business man, a noble from a unicorn bloodline that had yet to be crossed within their own kingdom… or so her mother praised... It wasn’t spoken out loud, but the underlying tone of the situation said that they did not need to love each other; they just needed to agree with each other. It was for the good of the kingdom. Her mother constantly told her that someday in the future there was a good possibility that the two would naturally fall in love. It was the way of most royal marriages, including Selena’s own parents. However, Selena’s father had died many years ago and the kingdom had been ruled by Selena and her mother alone. The Queen had struggled for a time, and if it had not been for the Dragon and Unicorn alliance during the Solar Eclipse Ceremony, Selena wondered just how many other kingdoms would’ve attacked their Unicorn Kingdom, the center figure head of their very species. ~*~ The night seemed to drag on and on. Selena, who was distracted by the mere knowledge that Phoebus was around, kept looking over her shoulder and around the room in search of the Dragon Prince, only half listening to those she was in conversation with. This, of course, annoyed her fiancé Nicholas, who would be forced to talk with the many who approached the couple in congratulation. Noble Snowden was more interested in speaking with other nobles of Selena’s court, ready to meet those who he’d soon be king over. “This is an opportunity to meet with those who have control over the many political and business assemblies that your mother has turned away from,” he whispered into Selena’s ear. “Let me speak with them while you accept the compliments,” he ordered. And so the Noble from the north sent her to the middle of the ballroom to dance. It was a welcomed distraction. Many wanted to dance with the Princess of Unicorns, and Selena was forced to pay close attention to whoever was her dancing partner. She clasped hands with men and women of all ages, twirling here, swaying there, and following the correct foot maneuvers that the Unicorns were famous for. No dragon danced with her, except one. She broke away from her mother, who laughed and grabbed hands with the next partner in line. In turn, Selena spun to the right and grasped the hands of the Dragon Prince. She gasped, almost losing her footing, as Phoebus spun her around. “Don’t look too shocked, Princess of Unicorns.” He tried to smile, but his lips didn’t reach his eyes. “Phoe-” “Don’t.” He said firmly and they pushed their hands together, their bodies turning opposite ways to follow the dance. “I’m here because you invited me….” He said simply. “I’m sorry, Prince of Dragons…” she said softly, and being unable to say his name hurt. They faced each other, one stepping back while the other stepped forward. “I didn’t mean to-” “Yes, you did.” He pulled her arm, watching her twirl away, and then return so her back was to his chest. “You didn’t have to cut me off,” he whispered in her ear, before letting her spin away from him. Their hands never released as she bowed before him, and he bow before her. “I had no choice,” she felt the words choke out as they faced each other once more. This time, Phoebus stepped back and Selena stepped forward. “I couldn’t communicate with you anymore…” she felt her tongue getting thick, her heart racing. “I can tell why ” the Dragon Prince turned to look away from her. Selena followed his glance to Noble Snowden. “He seems pretty controlling,” Phoebus muttered. Selena looked to the blond dragon she had slowly begun to fall in love with, and realized what she had to do. She had, to be honest. “It wasn’t Nicholas,” she said quickly. Selena watched the Prince's upper lip twitch at the name. They pressed their palms together, facing to the left, then each other, and finally to the right. “I was the one that decided to end our friendship, but I had to…” she felt Phoebus let go of her hands, and she gripped them tighter, desperate that he stay to listen. They followed the dance, unable to break away from those all around them in the swirling rhythm, and so she spun back into his chest. This time, he didn’t catch her. She knew he was hurt. She had to tell him why she ended their friendship so suddenly. When they were close, she spoke quickly. “I was too afraid to admit that I had fallen in love with you,” she followed the beat, spinning away from the Dragon Prince, and then facing him so she could bow, and he in turn bow to her. She watched Phoebus, noting the strange look that crossed his face. Was he disgusted that she, a unicorn, had fallen in love with him, a dragon? Was he trying to process how ending their friendship was the best thing for her? Selena truly believed that she had done the responsible thing. She had chosen her kingdom and her people over her own happiness; over a love, they could’ve shared. The music stopped and the crowed clapped merrily. The Prince of Dragons and the Princess of Unicorns stood before each other, unsure of what to say and both unwilling to say goodbye. Phoebus took Selena’s hand, opening his mouth to speak, but he was cut off abruptly. “Phoebus Fyr’tale, the Prince of Dragons,” the noble from the north appeared, wrapping his arm around his fiancé's waist. Phoebus dropped her hand instantly as if he’d been burned. “Am I right?” Nicholas asked. “Yes,” the Dragon Prince plastered a smile on his face that only Selena knew was fake. Damn Nicholas and his obnoxious timing. She desperately wanted to know what Phoebus had to say to her… The Prince of Dragons shook hands with the black-haired stallion of a man. “Congratulations, I apologize I haven’t approached you two as a couple yet,” Phoebus put his hands behind his back and stood a bit taller. “Thank you,” Nicholas bowed his head. “It is an honor that the Prince of Dragons has accepted our invitation, it saves me the trip.” Phoebus looked to Selena with a questioning brow, “Oh?” Selena, looking confused, turned to her fiancé. “A trip…?” She asked lightly. “I had no idea that you would be interested in visiting the Dragon Kingdoms.” She gave a worried glance to Phoebus, who kept calm and collected. “What would bring you to my castle in the southern mountains?” The Prince of Dragons questioned. His face was emotionless, to say the least. “Well, it is my understanding,” began the northern noble. “That the Dragon and Unicorn kingdoms have had an alliance these past few years, due to the lack of a proper King to defend our fragile Unicorn dominion.” Nicholas acknowledged. “Noble Snowden,” Selena pulled at her fiancé’s wrist, worried at the sudden topic. “Of course,” Phoebus confirmed. Selena’s blue eyes glanced at her longtime friend. Did he notice how his chest puffed at the words? “That alliance is still in effect today, and is renewed every Solar Eclipse.” The Dragon Prince’s eyes were zeroed in on Nicholas. Selena felt like the two males would clash horns if they were any other place but here. “Yes, of course…” the northern noble nodded. “However, now that I am here, and fair Selena and I will soon be wed,” Phoebus’ nose twitched as if holding back a snarl. “I will be King, and able to defend my country.” “What are you saying?” Phoebus frowned slightly. “I mean no offense when I say that the alliance between the Dragon Kingdom and my own does not have to be renewed this coming Solar Eclipse.” “Nicholas!” Selena shouted, grabbing the attention of many surrounding them. “Shush dear,” Noble Snowden patted Selena’s hand. “Big plans for someone who isn’t King yet,” Phoebus said darkly. “And to dismiss us so effortlessly.” His face, though contained, was red hot as if he’d been embarrassed. Nicholas was unable to respond to the Dragon Prince, because Selena pulled away from him violently, standing her ground angrily. “Nicholas Snowden, you are not yet King and you have no right to undermine me, my mother, or what we have worked so hard for this kingdom.” She barred her teeth, her fists clutched and her back ridged. Phoebus actually smiled in response to the Princess and her sudden outburst, and then quickly hid the expression. “Seems like the Princess of Unicorn’s enjoys our fire,” he bowed his head to her. The crowd around the trio began to talk in hushed tones, drawing further attention to the Prince, Princess, and Noble. “We shall discuss this another time,” Phoebus said simply and took a step back. “My dragons and I will depart from this event, while it seems our presence it met with…” he looked around the room, “mixed response.” He turned to Selena, his face saddened slightly. “Good evening, Princess of Unicorns.” And as a clan, the dragons politely excused themselves and followed their Prince out of the grand hall. When the dragons departed and the remaining unicorns began to speak and dance once more, Nicholas gripped Selena’s wrist tightly. “Don’t you ever embar-” “No,” Selena yanked her arm from his grasp. “Don’t you ever embarrass me at my own party, in my own castle, in my country, to one of our greatest allies ever again.” She hissed, turned, and promptly marched towards the steps. Her mother stopped her before she even reached them. “Selena,” she said firmly. “What you did was not lady-like and I demand you apologize,” she whispered harshly. The Princess of Unicorns turned on her mother. “Did you know about his plans? To separate from the Dragons?” She asked out loud, unafraid if her subjects heard. Her mother’s eyes shifted to the crowd listening before she answered her daughter. “Yes, we spoke of it,” her mother admitted. “I could not handle the kingdom on my own after your father’s death, and the alliance with the Dragons was a welcomed relief,” she folded her hands. “But, it’s time for our kingdom to become independent once more.” Selena shook her head, “you should’ve told me. You and I have always run this country together, and now that I am old enough to become Queen, you get a stallion involved and you go behind my back-” “This country needs a king,” her mother interrupted firmly. “It was not meant to be run by a woman alone.” She stood straighter. “I did what is best for you and our kingdom. I will not always be here to help you-” “You’ve stopped helping me ever since you started shoving suitor down my throat,” Selena hissed. Some of the guests near them covered their mouths to hide their gasps. “How dare you!” The Queen of Unicorns looked appalled as her daughter defiantly climbed the stairs quickly and rushed to her room. Selena slammed the door, locking it before she began tearing at the white dress she wore. She couldn’t do this; she couldn’t simply marry a man that would tell her how to run her own kingdom. Someone to tell her to be quiet, to look pretty, that everything was under his control, and her only responsibility was to eventually make babies. She knew, with such certainty, that her fate was sealed. She gasped for breath, unable to hold the tears back as she cried with her dress half torn from her body. She only had a few minutes to herself before a soft knock came to the door. “Leave me be!” She shouted, unafraid of who was on the other side. She waited for her mother to chastise her, or her fiancé to demand the door be opened, but neither voices came. Instead, she heard the guard from before. “Princess Selena…” he said softly. She could barely hear him and approached the door. “I have a letter for you, from the Dragon Kingdom.” He explained, and the Unicorn Princess felt her heart jump. “Slide it under the door…” she struggled to say and watched as the small envelope bumped her feet. She felt her heart thunder in her ears and her hands shake as she picked up the small letter. Was Phoebus mad? Did he want to say that the separation was understandable? That it was a good thing? That their friendship ending because of her irrational feelings was the proper response? She tore the envelope open, revealing a blank piece of parchment that was thick to the touch. At the top of the paper, a little needle was stuck. She knew the routine, as it was one she had practiced with before. The letter would only reveal the message to her and had to have proof that it was her by blood. She promptly pricked her finger on the small needle and let her blood drop onto the middle of the letter. It took a moment, but the red liquid swirled and began to form into the hidden text. She read carefully, knowing that once the letter was finished, it would begin to disappear. It read… To the Princess of Unicorns, I had dreamed for nights on end to hear those words, that you loved me. I had fallen in love with you long ago and because of our friendship, I begged and pleaded with my father to help your country. Whether you know it or not, the Dragon and Unicorn alliance was formed by our secret friendship. It only seems fit to discontinue it along with our feelings. I only have one request… Meet me tonight for a final goodbye. Do you remember where we first met? We were young children then, a hatchling and a foal frolicking without a care in the world in the Glory Plains. Meet me there, among the golden wheat. It may be a childish request, but I wish to frolic with you one final time before we officially break all our ties. I’ll be waiting for you, so until then… Prince of Dragons. Selena watched the letters disappear with blurry, tear filled eyes. He had never been so formal in a personal letter to her before. She knew he was hurting, and it was her fault. She covered her mouth, trying to hold back the sobs that shook her. She hated herself. She knew that breaking contact with Phoebus was the right thing to do, that finding a proper suitor was the right thing to do, and maybe even giving her country the opportunity to become independent once more was the right thing to do… But now that she knew Phoebus loved her, her stomach cramped and she fell to the floor. She loved Phoebus, she knew she did with all her heart, and Selena had only wanted to do what was best and right for everyone else, as it was her responsibility as a Princess… but now she wanted nothing more than to keep the alliance between their kingdoms, to keep sending each other letters, and to let their love burn brightly. She hated her mother and her fiancé, but it was an irrational response. She couldn’t blame her mother for wanting a King to rule the country, and she couldn’t blame Nicholas Snowden from wanting to have as much control as possible, be it for greed, or maybe even in his own selfish way, simply to take all the weight off of Selena and her mother. She was confident that she’d be able to keep Snowden in line if he ever got out of hand. She, of course, was the blessed heir, daughter or the Moon, and the only unicorn with powers unimaginable. He wouldn't be able to control her like a normal Princess... But, Phoebus was right… they had to at least have one final goodbye, and then more than likely, Selena would then have to apologize to her mother, her fiancé, and her country for her irrational outburst… and then break the Solar Eclipse alliance with Phoebus’ kingdom. She dried her tears, stood tall, and returned to the door where she cracked it open slightly. “Sir Lightfoot,” she said gently. “Yes My’ Lady,” he didn’t turn to face her, and instead, he stood at attention and kept his gaze down the hall. “Please make sure no one comes into my room, I’m feeling awfully sick from the event, and I need to take some sleeping potions to help me feel well again,” she went to close the door, but Sir Lightfoot grabbed the handle without looking. “My’ Lady, you’re…” he whispered, “You’re not planning on taking your life, are you?” He asked in an embarrassed and hushed manor. Though he sounded genuinely concerned for her safety, Selena also knew that he’d be hanged if her dead body was found. “Of course not, Sir Lightfoot.” She said firmly and pulled the handle. Selena leaned up against the door and sighed deeply. A final goodbye… a final frolic among the golden wheat of the Glory Plains… but this time, under the stars… she wouldn’t miss it for the world… She took her final letter and headed for her dresser. She opened her top drawer and lifted the bottom up and out. Underneath the thin wood was letter after letter, all stacked up and placed neatly. She put this last one with the others before lowering the false bottom and closing the drawer. She would have to wait until the ceremony was over, and as the guests were leaving, she too would slip away. It was the perfect cover… and then in the dead of the night, she’d strip and run free as a unicorn should be.
0 Comments
“Do you think he’s single?” He asked quietly.
Nova looked up from her laptop, silver eyes resting gently on her best friend. Marshall wasn’t looking at her, instead his dark purple eyes flexed like a cat as he focused on whomever he spoke of. Nova frowned when she watched him hide behind his coffee cup, biting the plastic lid gently. She didn’t need to look at whoever Marshall was talking about, “does it matter?” She asked quietly, knowing it was a bit harsh, but she was getting exhausted with his constant search for the perfect guy- for him, not her, and that that she was looking or anything…but there was one big problem with Marshall’s goal… “Is he Draco?” she asked. Instantly she regretted saying the words out loud because Marshall’s usually bright eyes lowered as he tapped his cup on his lips in defeat. He didn’t need to answer because they both knew that whomever Marshall spoke of was indeed human, not Draco, like Marshall himself. Their silence was filled by the sounds of the bookstore; the rustle of pages, the ding of the cashier’s opening drawer, the quiet mumbles of the customers, and the slurps, coughs, and grunts of those sitting at the café tables around them. Nova studied the man before her, seeing what others could not. Normal humans would simply see a young man with sandy blond hair, shaved tight against his whole head except for the top, where three inch locks seemed to poof forward like cotton candy. His eyes, to a human, were light blue and pulled slightly at the edges so they had an almond appearance. Of course, Nova was human too, but she knew all about Dracos, which made her at least a little bit different from the rest of humanity. As of late, Marshall seemed to be letting Nova see through part of his disguise. What Nova saw was not sandy blond, but hair that was bright teal, and his light human blue eyes were actually completely black except for the iris which was purple with a pink boarder against his slit pupils. A lot of Dracos were seemingly letting their guards down lately, revealing their colorful appearance in the most public of places all around town. If they didn’t stop, they’d start bringing too much attention to themselves. That was something Nova had to talk to her father about. She made a note of it in her booklet, then itched under her forearm. The action caught Marshall’s attention. "Bug bite?" He asked with a raised brow, then finally took a sip of his coffee. "I don’t know," she replied, now itching her shoulder. "It's a bit late for bugs isn’t it?" Marshall turned to look out the window of the book store. The trees were decorated with red, gold, brown, yellow, and hints of rebellious green leaves littering the streets. "Probably just dry skin," Nova mumbled, scratching her belly. She returned to her notebook, looking for the sections of notes she left off on. "Or your clothes," Marshall gestured with his coffee cup to Nova’s thick wool sweater and old dusty denim pants. She waved a hand and returned to her paper work, (homework really), from her father to distract her now that she had just recently graduated college three months ago. "Sixteen Dracos landed on earth for a new start this month," she said absent-mindedly, checking off the family names and highlighting their contact numbers. She’d have to call them and schedule appointments to meet in person. Marshall hummed in response, then put his coffee cup down. "Any of them got...a relatable reason...why they came to earth for a new start?" He tried to ask casually, but Nova had already double checked for him moments earlier, knowing he’d ask sooner or later. "No," she watched her friend deflated, folding his arms on the table and resting his head on them. "They all came with their families, there were no single Dracos, at least none of age.” Marshall simply pulled at a loose string on his long-sleeved plaid shirt. Nova frowned, “I guess there was a big enough feud in the community for them to leave the moon," she tried to mumble away the silence so Marshall wouldn't get lost in his depressing and lonely thoughts. She itched behind her knees. "I’m sorry Marshall," Nova reached for his forearm and squeezed in support. "There just isn’t any other...gay..." she hushed the word, "Dracos registered on Earthe...at least not yet." Marshal snorted, but rested his hand on her own on his arm, rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand in a response to her comfort. Nova wasn’t homophobic. Gay humans were, for the most part, welcome and active here on Earthe. But Marshall was a Draco, a shape shifting dragon-looking alien from the dark side of the moon. Forbidden to mate with humans, no matter how gay and welcoming they were, Draco and human hybrids were an idea crushed at the first thought. It was one of the many laws Nova’s family enforced, as did all her ancestors from decades before her. Now that Nova had graduated college, it was her responsibility and job to keep track of all Dracos on the their side of the planet and their family, friendly, and employee ties with the humans they’d interact with during their stay. She didn’t want the first Draco she reported to her uncle, the leader of their family, to be her best friend Marshall; a young gay male that wouldn’t reveal the species secret just because of the simple fact that his human partner wouldn’t spawn a hybrid child. But rules were rules, if Marshall was allowed to mate with a human, why couldn’t others? How could they really keep track who was actually gay and who was keeping up an act to get around the human population and threatening the species secret? It was a tough situation for Marshall, one that they’ve talked about in the past numerous times before. Obviously, her best friend forgot that. “I’m going to go talk to him,” he suddenly decided, sitting up and getting ready to leave the table. Nova gripped his sleeve, yanking him hard. “Not looking like that you’re not!” She hissed. Marshall, clearly confused, leaned back towards Nova. “Like what…?” He looked at himself, wondering why he wasn’t fit to approach another being. Nova rolled her eyes before scratching her wrist and clearing her throat. "You’re illusion,” she started matter of fact. “What about it?” “Can I even ask why your illusion is down?" Marshalls eyes widened as he looked up at her, "what?" "For the past few days now," she gestured with her free hand towards his head. "I can see you have teal hair and purple eyes, why are you letting your illusion down?" Marshalls skin literally crawled in response, as if he was double checking his illusion. "And it's not just you,” she continued, “it's a few other Dracos I’ve seen on the street," Nova frowned. "Are you guys trying to make a statement or something?" Marshall looked confused, his teal brows pulling together. "Nova there’s nothing wrong with my illusion..." She itched the inside of her elbow, and Marshalls eyes darted to the motion. In an instant, the Draco grabbed his friends wrist. "Marshall!" He yanked up her sleeve, revealing clear scales growing from beneath Nova’s skin. They gasped, frozen at the table and staring at what couldn't be possible. "Dude," a teen passing by stopped at their table, "nice work. Bet your sculpting is just as dope." The kid left and Marshall quickly pulled Nova’s sleeve down to hide what was obviously seen by all.
|
Welcome to my Blog Hey, I'm Maryah Stevens, a 25 year old, self-published, college graduate, married, 1st time mom! Phew! Archives
January 2018
|