This is everyone’s fault and the previous poster’s fault. I couldn’t resist.
Perhaps, in the aftermath of the loving takeover of Vermillion Life and Casualty by a centuries old dragoness, things could have been worse. As far as Luke was concerned, all his major limbs were still intact and the monsterous entity that was currently sunning itself-er, herself-on nearby sun racks hadn’t reportedly eaten anyone yet.
At least that’s what he assumed. Turn over rates aside, Carpal Tunnel could be just as dangerous as a giant mouth full of carnivorous teeth for a paperweight warrior like him. But it honestly seemed like the dragon meant no harm.
Maybe she had been a little…suffocating at first, her giant, leathery wings spread wide behind her as she stood on her hind legs, easily staring into the 3rd story windows. She had proclaimed to all that been present inside as her newly adopted offspring, her great, booming voice softened by the telepathy she used to contact them all at once. Yeah, telepathy. It sounds cool but it’s still scary as fuck when you’re trying to get business done on the porcelain throne and a mysterious voice abruptly enters your head.
A week of terse talks and compromises had ultimately allowed everyone to leave, with the promise that everyone would return to “Mum” to check in every so often. Maybe some more than others.
Like right then, for example. Lucy the intern did not need to go find Mum every morning to say hi, update her on the schedules for the company that day-because all had learned very early on Mum will make her opinions known about insurance rates and no, there’s no employee in the whole space-time continuem who wouldn’t use that excuse to derail an otherwise boring meeting. She did not need to offer Mum coffee (did dragons even drink it?) or throw a couple of muffins into her gullet when there was extra to go around. Goodness, she didn’t have to do anything!
Yet there she was, walking over to Mum with purpose, the ancient reptile cracking open an eyelid to watch the girl’s fast approach. Luke was only nearby because damn him for being a good citizen that actually respects the Do Not Smoke sign but needs his fix: smoking by Mum at the sun racks was the best option then, as she never complained. Maybe because she breathes fire, who knows. But Lucy strode over to them, only losing the rigidity in her stance when she was a foot away.
Mum was up in an instant.
“Lucy, what is wrong?” Asked the old dragoness. Lucy only shook her head, her soft brown curls sticking to her tear-streaked face.
“I need a hug,” she whispered, so quickly that Luke barely understood her. But Mum did, she always understood.
Without a word she lifted her scaly head, gently nosing her beak against her “daughter’s” torso, the air she exhaled from her nostrils loosening more stray curls from Lucy’s scrunchie. The intern wasted no time in wrapping her thin arms around the proffered snout, burying her face against Mum to muffled the broken hiccups and sobs.
It was all a rather strange display for Luke who had already dropped his burnt out cigarette on the asphalt when he had seen the tears rolling down Lucy’s face. But there was no time to wonder why as the old, authorative voice entered his mind.
“Luke, be a dear and run down to the markets, get something sweet like chocolates for your sister. She is sad and suffering and we must ease her pain.” Luke gawked.
“Wha- wait, what?” He shook his head. “That’s too much, Ma, can’t I get her a candy bar from the vending machine?”
The golden, serpentine eye that narrowed at him instantly caused rocks to form in his bowels. “Nothing is too much for my children!” She replied. “You deserve the best. Now don’t be cruel, son, do as I ask.”
He still had objections. “My shift is nearly over, Ma. I have to go back in soon.”
She only snorted back, “I will talk to Richard, he will understand.” That was true, if only because the assistant supervisor was too focused on getting work done that he’d rather not waste time arguing with a sentient old dragon.
But Luke still pushed back. “I don’t have much money though Ma, it’s still two days before payday-“ The loud thud of something heavy and big answered him. He looked down at his feet where the object had come to rest.
Opiess, Destroyer Of Kingdoms and Office Bordem, had given him a gold ingot.
“That ought to cover expenses,” she sniffed, focusing her attention back on Lucy. “Take that and go on, use the change to get whatever else you think is necessary. Come on Luke, don’t drag your feet.”
The paperweight warrior sighed.