Episode One Hundred and Eighty-Eight: Playdate

“Today, you swear…?” asked Indigo with her snout tickling my ear.

“Yes, she said she’d be back today. Which is good, since you slept all night without waking.” 

Without Lady Twilight’s reassurance, I might have worries. Indigo hadn’t twitched at all on the couch, wrapped in the warm blanket, only snored occasionally. The Cat and I ate dinner together near her, and nothing.

Even through a movie, she didn’t stir at all.

It took until breakfast for her to wake up, then she ate almost a dozen scrambled eggs. 

Now, we sat behind the counter waiting for this customer to leave.

The very nice slug creature bought several scrolls and headed to the door. The visit had taken a few hours, just because they crawled so slowly. 

Finally, the bells rang behind them as the door closed.

“Betty, can you…” I started asking, when the floor suddenly cleaned itself and the archway to the living room appeared on the right-most wall.

The center table sank into the floor and a deep green carpet took its place. Oak leaves adorned the edges, and a massive tree adorned the center, all in a soft black color.

“That’s a gorgeous rug.” I didn’t keep the awe out of my voice as I leaned over the counter to get a better look.

So pretty, and it reminded me of the Cat’s crest.

Indigo’s claws dug in to keep her on my shoulder.

“What is she like?” This time her voice remained soft, and if she hadn’t been right there, I’d have missed it.

“I don’t know, she was sleeping like you were. All curled up and cute.”

“She’s a little dragon like you, though a bit younger,” added the Cat. He padded closer and rubbed his body along my arm. 

The soft fur brought a smile to my face. 

I scratched behind his ears, and he purred. 

These were the days.

Sunlight filled the space from the skylights above, and everything gleamed. Motes of dust drifted in the air, highlighted by the sun, but I knew Betty left those for ambiance since the shop sparkled.

A dark shadow opened the door and Lady Twilight strode in, carrying a basket of all things. Her purple robes flowed around her reaching to the floor, and her bright eyes landed on us.

The lid on the basket inched up and a snoot pushed out. Pale eyes peeked from inside before the lid flew back and the little blue silver dragon launched herself in the air.

Indigo leaped off my shoulder, pushing me lightly back with the force.

Both dragonettes flew in a fast circle high above our heads.

I pulled my hair back into a ponytail now that Indigo had stopped hiding beneath it. Though, given how big she’d grown, it hid her less and less.

“Ah, to be that young,” said Lady Twilight. 

“Were you ever that young?” asked the Cat. His tail flickered in the air.

She snorted in the most unladylike fashion. “Of course I once was that age, trying to find my place in the world.” She paused for a moment before tilting her head slightly. “Though, I will admit, it was a while ago.”

I glared at the Cat, but he ignored me, padding closer to the edge of the counter.

“Who is this dragonet?” He sat down and waited for an answer. “Sable will want to know a name.”

“It’s Aurora, and she can’t keep it to herself.” Lady Twilight let out a sigh, and her head snapped up as the two dragons chirped at one another. “Hide and Seek wouldn’t be fair if you used your abilities, Indigo. Wait until Aurora learns some of her own magic.”

“Magic practice?” came from above.

“Yes, and I hope that the Lord can lend his expertise to our lesson.”

The Cat’s head tilted as he studied the dragon. “Expertise?”

I pressed my lips together to keep from saying anything, more excited to see this play out.

“Well, the girls need to learn how to use Glamour, and who better to give pointers than one such as yourself?” Laughter sparkled behind her eyes as she motioned to the living room, and before the Cat could reply she continued. “Did you want us to move to the other room?”

I nodded, and stood. “Yeah, there is plenty of room in there, and not a ton that can go wrong.”

Indigo led the charge into the living room, frantically chirping to the smaller dragon behind her. The differences between the two stood out. Indigo flew smoothly, faster, and with tighter corners. Plus, her scales glowed.

I picked the Cat up as I passed by the counter.

“I didn’t agree to help,” he grumbled. Yet, he nudged me under my chin. “But she has a point.”

“You are the best one here for the job,” I added, trying to not squeeze him too much. “Wouldn’t it be nice, not worrying about Indigo with normal people in the shop?”

The Cat usually chased her down if someone might spot her. Not to mention the incident with Molly.

Betty had rearranged the living room. The couches now faced a large open space where the dining room table had been.  Identical coffee tables sat in front of each couch. 

I sat down on the couch to watch this magic session. Usually I did my own thing, but I didn’t want to leave.

The Cat freed himself from my arms, and leaped to the coffee table.

The two dragons chased themselves in the air while Lady Twilight monitored them.

“Ladies, come on down.”

Instantly, both of them dove near the Cat. Indigo made her landing, gracefully folding her wings as she set down. Aurora stumbled a little, but the coffee table rippled and the wood softened to help her.

Her eyes widened as she climbed to her feet, poking the now solid table.

“That’s Betty,” I whispered to the small dragon. “She wanted to make sure you didn’t get hurt.”

At my voice, she jerked her head in my direction and stepped back.

“That’s Sable, she’s my aunt, and the bestest.” Indigo nudged her with a few chirps. “No scared.”

I swallowed and leaned back, looking out the windows into the dark forest until I steadied. Somehow, I’d turned into a bucket of warm goo without anything changing.

Lady Twilight sat on the floor with ease, sticking close to the table. The couch on the other corner wiggled, but she held up a hand. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m fine here.”

Both dragons stood at attention facing Lady Twilight. The Cat sat closer to me and behind the two dragons. All of a sudden, it felt like I wasn’t really on the couch, but sitting in a lecture hall back in college.

My journal appeared on the couch next to me and I patted the back of the couch. I sent my thanks to Betty, and readied myself to take notes.

If magic was involved, I suddenly became a much better student. Not that I’d slacked in school, I just cared more about this. Just a little.