Day 4 - Fortune. Fantasy. Masquerade.
Hello, hello, hello! So, I never posted the last four days of #kbtbbweek2020 and this is because I had to send my laptop away for two weeks to be repaired. And then I was distracted by my uni work so I never ended up finishing these!
But I have now! Here’s the first story released for 2021, I hope you all have a wonderful and safe year.
When I was a child, I found a baby dragon starving by the side of my house. My father and I took her in and nursed her back to health. She told us that she is no baby and had been living for nearly fifty years. Her name is Alexia, and she has this rare condition which prevented her from growing into a full size dragon. Alexia is 50 inches in length and most of that is her tail. She is a silver Cryoback Dragon and my best friend.
My father ran a dragon sanctuary in the countryside. We take in wild dragons, old dragons, injured dragons and even healthy ones. I spent my entire childhood and the beginning of my adult life with the dragons. I played on their tails and cuddled with some of them at night, watching the stars.
Then, my father died, and I inherited his property. I became the Lady of the Dragon House.
‘Lady Vivian! Sir Eisuke and his friends are returning tonight! Here is the letter he sent.’ My handmaiden and friend, Chisato, hands me the document and I see my husband’s handwriting.
I am on my way back. Prepare a feast.
Ever the one to be short and curt, but I feel pride and affection in his words.
‘Chisato! Have the maids begin cooking!’ I run from the rooftop down to the gardens where Alexia likes to bathe in the sun.
‘Alexia! Eisuke is coming home from the war!’ I shout out and all the other dragons perk up.
‘I hope the dragons he took with him will be returning.’
I skip down the large stone steps to a big blue dragon laying lazily on the ground. He watches me as I run to him.
‘Yes, I did. But do not forget your duties.’ He says and nuzzles his big nose against my face.
‘I know, I know. Oh, I can’t wait! It has been months since he left.’
‘That tough purple man will be fine. He is far too stubborn.’
‘Hm, that reminds me of another who is far too stubborn.’ I laugh and he snorts at me. Cobalt is a retired military Saptillar dragon, with cobalt blue scales as beautiful as a glittering sky. He lost his captain and his crew and first came to the sanctuary because of the trauma. He isolated himself so much and Eisuke told me not to bother, but with time I was able to get through to him. Now he is as protective as he is wonderful.
‘Vivvy! If we’ll be having a celebration, you should get Eisuke a gift.’ Alexia chimes from the chairs behind me.
‘Maybe, but I’m sure he’ll be tired. I can only hope that he isn’t injured or badly wounded.’ I say, concerned.
‘He is the captain of the Ichinomiya Secret Force. When he comes back, he’ll gloating about how he saved us.’ Cobalt retorts.
‘Ha, I’m sure the others will do that for Eisuke. Oh! I need to start preparing their rooms. They’ll be back tonight so you all should prepare for a ton of food coming your way!’ I say, and the dragons start roaring in delight.
‘My lady! Come quick! I can see Kenzaki’s form in the sky! That must be them!’ Sakiko shouts out and a large horn is blown to signal the returning soldiers.
I fix the hem of my dress and run down the outside stairs just in time to see Eisuke’s dragon, Kenzaki, touch down safely on the ground. All eight dragons and all eight men with their crews have returned home.
‘Eisuke!’ I shout out as his feet land on the ground. His dark purple officer suit is completely untouched, as clean and unwrinkled as if I had just ironed them. When his beautiful eyes land on mine, he smirks at me.
‘Well, aren’t you going to greet me?’ He says in his usually confident voice and I breakdown into tears. My feet run to Eisuke and my arms wrap around his torso as tight as I can. I sob into his chest as he returns the hug.
‘You’re such a cry baby aren’t you, love?’ He whispers but I feel his affection laced within those harsh words.
‘Only because you made me worry.’
‘I told you, didn’t I? That I would come back to you. Victorious.’
Eisuke pulls my face away from his chest and his chilled lips press onto mine. I hear cheering and laughter surround us, but I let my husband be the focus of my heart.
After the festivities, we hear the government announce the end of the war. Eisuke and I take a stroll out by the edge of the sanctuary.
‘Let’s sit for a while Eisuke. You must be tired.’
We sit on the fountain edge and Eisuke takes my hand into his lap.
‘How have you been, Vivian?’
‘Well, ever since you left, I was praying for your return. For months, I tried to supress my worry and anxiety and continued my duties here. I looked after the dragons, fed them, looked after the staff, servants and maids, and do you know, I started teaching the children of the maids as well?’ I say and ask.
‘I know. You said in your letter. I hope you’re not teaching them how to be silly and strange like you.’ Eisuke teases, pinching my cheek.
‘No! Of course not. I’m teaching them English, History, Mathematics and manners.’
‘Oh? Very serious subjects. Maybe I should join you and begin teaching as well.’
‘Strategy. Business. How to look after a dragon. Useful subjects. ‘
‘Are my subjects not useful?’ I pout and he chuckles at me, poking my puffed out cheeks.
‘They’re useful. But don’t forget who you should be giving all your time to.’
‘Well, now that you’re back, we can do that! The both of us can start teaching: you with practical subjects and me with desk work subjects. Oh, and the others can probably help out too! Ota can teach art, Soryu can teach defence and how to tame a dragon, Baba can teach cooking and Kishi… um..’
‘He can teach the kids how to have a proper night’s sleep. Or how to turn a garbage bin into a bed.’
We look at each other for a moment before bursting out laughing. After a few minutes, we listen to the rushing water behind us.
‘Eisuke, I’m glad you’re home.’
