The night was still when they finally left the hospital. Rosette was still very upset, but after a whole day of crying, she felt exhausted and clung to Ryu’s arm as they walked out to her car with her father tagging behind. He gazed at the two walking together and a warm smile came across his face as he pictured them as a couple. After a touching chat with his wife, he knew that he loved her back, even if they both wouldn’t admit their feelings.
Rosette finally let go of him as she rounded the car and unlocked the door. Both her and Dave got in, but Ryu stood frozen to the door with his gaze fixed on a spot in the bushes. Rosette slowly opened the door and got out.
“What’s wrong, Ryu?” she asked.
“Rosette, get back in the car.” He said.
“What is it?” she asked, “Is it a wild animal?”
“Can you not smell it?” he asked, “its scent is so strong!”
“I don’t have a nose like you, Ryu.” She said, “I can’t smell anything.” Suddenly the bushes began to shake as something definitely began to move. In a flash, Rosette jumped back in the car, and rolled the window down. To her surprise, Ryu started walking towards the bushes.
“What are you doing?” she loudly whispered.
“I’m going to see what it is.” He said casually.
“What if it attacks you?” she whimpered. Ryu smiled.
“I doubt if something that small can hurt me.
“Ryu? Are you okay?” she asked.
“Yes.” He said from the darkness.
“What happened? What is it?” she asked, “Did it hurt you?”
“No, it’s well….” He stood up so that the top of his head poked through the top of the hedge, then she heard something scramble behind him, “Could you call my sisters?”
“What’s wrong?” she asked. Ryu slowly stepped out of the bushes and she couldn’t see anything wrong, at first, but he slowly turned around and she gasped. Attached to his back was a small green dragon, and it was shaking from either the cold or fear, Rosette wasn’t sure. Still to find yet another dragon here in Toronto
“I-Is that another dragon?” she stammered. Ryu nodded but the small dragon buried its face in Ryu’s back.
“I think it’s cold and scared.” He said, “We have to help it.”
“Um, okay.” She said shaking her head. Let’s get it home.”
The trip home was kind of comical to Rosette. Even though she was depressed from the visit with her mother, she couldn’t help but giggle at Ryu in the back seat. He had to lie on his stomach in the back seat, because the little green dragon wouldn’t let go. Ryu was uncomfortable, she could tell, but there was nothing she could do. The silence in the car was getting to Ryu and he had to say something.
“Um, Rosette?” he asked.
“Yes?”
“What color is it?”
“What?”
“The dragon on my back.” He said, “What color is it?”
“Oh, it’s green.” She said.
“That explains a lot.” He said.
“How so?”
“I’m pretty sure it’s a plant dragon. Probably a forest dragon. It explains why it’s cold, and the smell.”
“Why is it cold? I thought you guys didn’t get cold?” she asked.
“We are cold blooded, but because of its element, she is sensitive.”
“Because plants hate the cold?”
“Yes. And it smells like roses.” He said. Rosette didn’t notice it before this, mostly because she still felt stuffed up from a mild cold, but the faint scent of Roses drifted from the back seat. Her father didn’t say a word the whole trip and shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
“I don’t like this.” He said.
“What?”
“No offence, Ryu, but what’s with all the dragons?” he asked, “Why are there so many in one place?”
“That is a good question.” Rosette said, “You don’t have any more relatives that you’re not telling me about, right?”
“No.” he said, “I have no idea who this is.” The dragon on his back started to purr and it made a quiet screech as it rested on his back.
“What was that?” Rosette asked.
“She said I was warm.” He said.
“It’s a girl?”
“Apparently.” He muttered.
When they arrived at their apartment, his sisters were already waiting for them. Rosette hadn’t told them exactly what was wrong, just that they had to come over as soon as they got home. When they saw her father for the first time, they glanced at each other for a moment then started to panic as he held the door open and Ryu passed by, with a green dragon attached to his back. Once inside, they were torn between finding out what exactly he knew about them, and finding out about their new visitor. They decided to divide and conquer, with Crystal
The conversation between Crystal and Dave was shorter than expected. They sat across form each other at the table and Dave swallowed a lump in his throat.
“What do you know about us?” she asked.
“You’re Ryu’s sisters, right?”
“And?”
“You’re dragons?”
“So now that you know, what are you doing to do?” she asked.
“Nothing.” He said.
“Why not?”
“If it’s okay with my daughter, it’s okay with me.
“We will give you a chance.” She said, “Keep this to yourself.”
“Alright then.” He said, “Can I get you a cup of tea?” Crystal
“Why, yes please!” she giggled.
In the living room, the scene was much more comical. First, Ryu tried holding onto the couch as Sparcy tried to pull the dragon off, but she just ended up ripping his cloak a bit, and stretching his shirt. She suggested that he take off his shirt, but it was no use. Finally they resorted to their final idea.
Ryu took a seat on the couch and Sparcy sat behind him. She leaned down and began speaking to the frightened dragon in a language Rosette couldn’t understand. The Dragon stared up into her eyes and started making similar noises.
“She says she’s scared and lonely.” Sparcy said, “She doesn’t want to let go. She likes him because he’s warm.”
“Aww, that’s cute.” Rosette swooned. Again they conversed in Dragonish.
“She can’t find her mother.” She said, “They were separated months ago”
“You mean there’s another Dragon out there?” Rosette gasped.
“I guess so. But that would mean it’s a full grown dragon too.” She said, “This child is only twenty years old.”
“She’s not much younger than me.” Rosette said.
“To a dragon, that’s like being two or three years old, Rosette.”
“Oh, sorry.”
“Anyway, there’s no way we can find her mother.” She said, “We can’t go around asking people if they lost a dragon child, nor can we ask around if they know any dragon mothers.”
“Isn’t there a way to tell if someone was a dragon?” Rosette asked.
“If there was we would have used it to find Ryu.” She said, “I’m sorry Ryu, but it looks like you have to take care of it until you find her.”
“What?!” he exclaimed, “Why me?”
“Because it’s attached to you!” she said, “I think it likes you!”
“Yay, me!” He muttered.
The next day, Ryu spent most of his time sitting in the huge lobby of the main student building. As Rosette attended her classes, he sat as close to her rooms as he could, so as not to become sick. He found his condition getting worse lately. It started to get worse ever since he had told her his true name, and now he realized that the distance he had to keep close to her was becoming shorter and shorter. To make matters worse on him, he had to lean forward the entire day, because the little green dragon was still attached to his back, underneath his cloak.
People would stare at the large mound on his back as he went by, but shrugged it off, thinking it to be his back pack. But the moment he dreaded finally came, when he spotted June Tanger across the lobby, with her two friends in tow. To make matters even worse, Rebecca entered the lobby from the other end, and both were quickly closing in on his position.
They first met up together in the middle of the lobby, exchanged a few words, June’s friends giggled, and then like it was choreographed, all four of them looked in his direction at the same time and began drifting over.
“Well, well.” Rebecca said, “I heard you met my younger sister! Hope you two got along well.”
“Of course.” Ryu said, “But I can’t say we’ve met under pleasant circumstances.”
“June? What did you do?” she asked.
“I had another one of my episodes.” She said, “I was pretty mean to him, but I did apologize.”
“I’m sorry for my sister.” Rebecca said, eyeing the mound on his back, “What’s that?”
“Again with the questions.” Ryu sighed, “I fail to see why you two are so interested in me.”
“I just asked what you had on your back.” She said, “Sheesh, It’s not like I wanted to steal it.”
“Is it your back pack?” June asked. The two girls standing behind her seemed to relax and were smiling at him, making him feel shy.
“Um, yea.” He muttered.
“Can I see it?” June asked.
“No.” Ryu said, “You can’t.”
“It’s pink isn’t it?” Rebecca said.
“No.” he said, “It’s Rosette’s.”
“I don’t think she would mind us looking at it.” June said.
“Yes she would.” He said, “It’s a school project.”
“What kind of project?” Rebecca asked.
“Um, art class?” he said. The girls seemed to understand and had actually accepted the explanation, until the mound on his back made a loud chirp and shifted on his back to get comfortable, making the girls drop their jaws.
“What kind of art project makes a noise like that?” Rebecca gasped.
“And I swear I saw it move!” June exclaimed. Ryu stood up, brushing them off.
“I have to go.” He said.
“You’re avoiding this, Ryu!” Rebecca yelled, “What do you have in there?”
“I have to go.” He repeated, but Rebecca stood firm.
“Where is it you could possibly have to go so suddenly?” she asked.
“Bathroom.” Ryu said.
“Oh. Well, I guess it’s possible.” He muttered, “But we’re going to be waiting here until you get back. You have to tell us everything!”
“Really? And what if I don’t come back?” he asked.
“You’re hiding something. That’s I’m sure of!” she said, “I’m going to find out what.”
“You must be pretty bored to want to find out something as stupid as that.” He muttered.
“If it’s so stupid, then why are you defending it?” she asked, “Why not just tell us so we would leave you alone?”
“You wouldn’t leave me alone anyway.” He muttered, “More so if you did know.” He left the girls with those words and headed into the bathroom. He made sure was the stall was empty before entering, and he pulled down his hood.
Rosette came out of class a little early and was worried more than usual. She was always worried about Ryu lately. He was having a hard time of it with a streak of bad luck, but with a new dragon in the picture, things were getting too big and she was worried that she wouldn’t be able to handle it. Things felt worse when she noticed him missing from the spot where she had left him, which was now occupied by the Tanger sisters and the two girls who always followed June.
“Where is Ryu?” she asked. The girls looked up from their conversation.
“He’s gone to the bathroom.” June said, “Hey, would you mind if we looked at your art project?”
“Art project? Which one?”
“The book bag that Ryu was wearing.” Rebecca said, “He was hiding it and being awfully protective of it.”
“Book bag?” Rosette was confused to what she was talking about, but then it hit her, “Oh that? I told him to hide it under his cloak so that I could get it home with out anyone seeing it.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s not finished.” She said. She didn’t like lying, but these were special circumstances.
“Not even one peek?” June asked.
“It’s just a book bag.” Rebecca said.
“It’s not a book bag either.” Rosette said, “It’s a sculpture.”
“But Ryu said it was a book bag.” June said, confused.
“The sculpture was in the book bag.” Rosette said, covering it up, “He must have misunderstood.”
“Now I’m really curious!” June said, then stopped, distracted by something. She oddly looked around, “Sis, are you wearing perfume?”
“No, it’s not me.” Rebecca said. Now Rosette noticed it too. A strong smell of roses filled the air and several people around them began looking around for the source. Unnoticed by anyone, Ryu had returned and seemed to just appear, standing next to Rosette.
“What is that smell?” Rosette asked.
“Roses.” Ryu said, making her jump.
“Where were you?!” she exclaimed, “What happened to the ‘book bag’?” she obviously noted the bulging mound on his back was now missing.
“She’s right here.” He said under his breath. Rosette looked down to see a round face peeking out from behind his cloak. There, a little girl stood, clung to his leg, and she seemed terrified of everything.
“Who is that?” Rosette whispered, “Is that, the little green dragon?”
“Yes. She learns quickly.” Ryu said, “I think it’s because children have such a vivid imagination.”
“What are you two talking about?” Rebecca asked. Rosette was so surprised at the set of blue eyes staring at her that she totally forgot about the other girls standing there.
“N-Nothing at all.” She stammered, still she was worried about them noticing he was missing the ‘package’ and that the girl under his cloak would be seen. Her fears were correct as the girls began eyeing him over.
“What happened to the…” Rebecca began, but was cut off by a screech from her sister.
“Oh my God, she’s so cute!” she exclaimed, “Who is she?” It was then that the other girls noticed movement from under his cloak, and saw two blue eyes staring out from behind his back.
“A relative.” Ryu calmly said, “This is Flora.”
“What a pretty name….”June swooned, “She’s so cute!”
“What’s wrong with you guys?” Rosette asked. She could see their expressions change as if they were high on something, but kept staring at her round face.
“She makes me feel so carefree.” June said, “I just want to hug her!”
“She’s scared, June.” Rosette said, “Leave her alone.”
“Alright then…” she mumbled, “I have to go to class anyway….” And with that, the group drifted down the halls and out of sight, leaving Rosette baffled as to what just happened.
“What the hell was that?” She stammered. She could hear Ryu snicker under his hood.
“It’s her defense mechanism.” He said, “She’s a plant dragon after all.”
“What is it?”
“Pheromones.” He said, “She mixes it with her scent and it changes the behavior of others. It makes them less aggravated.”
“So why didn’t it work on me?” Rosette asked.
“It’s either because you’re bonded with me,” he said, “Or she’s not scared of you. Quite possibly the latter.” He gestured around him where a few nearby people were staring off into space with an odd smile on their faces, while others seemed perfectly fine.
“That’s a powerful weapon.” Rosette said.
“Yea, but she only should be using it when she’s scared.” He said, “I can feel her shaking even now.”
“Let’s go home.” Rosette said.
Ryu looked like an odd hunchback walking up the stairs. With Flora at his heels under his cloak, she stumbled only once, and caught herself because she was clinging to Ryu’s arm for support. They looked like an odd brother-sister combination, even though they didn’t look like they were related, and Rosette knew for a fact that they weren’t.
The night before she had a hard enough struggle to detach the small dragon from his back so that he could go to bed, but in the end, she ended up still attached to his back as he slept on his stomach. She hoped that tonight would be different.
She was eerily quiet. Rosette thought she was just shy, but after supper they sat in the living room to watch television, and she hadn’t said a word the whole evening, and she didn’t eat anything for supper.
“Is she alright?” Rosette finally asked. She was sitting next to Ryu as she hugged into him and stared at the TV. She seemed to be more relaxed than she was at the University, but she still seemed on edge.
“She’ll be fine.” He said, “She just needs time to adjust.”
“What about her mother?” Rosette asked, “She must be worried sick.” Ryu leaned down and whispered something to her in Dragonish, and Rosette could see tears form in her little eyes.
“She said she lost her mother a while ago.” He said, “Her name was Jessica Porter.”
“But that’s a human name!” Rosette said, “That can’t be her real name.” Again they conversed in a strange language.
“It’s not her real name, but that’s what her business card says.” Ryu said.
“Business card? What business card?”
“She said she saw her business card a while ago.” Ryu said, “It had a picture of a fan on it.”
“A fan?” Rosette thought about it, “Could she be a saleswoman?”
“I’m not sure.” He said. As they spoke, Rosette noticed that Flora was staring at her from under his cloak, with wide eyes and tears running down her face. There was a flash of green as she suddenly dashed out from under Ryu’s cloak and jumped up into Rosette’s arms. Her green hair draped over Rosette’s shoulders and she began to cry.
“I miss my mommy!” she cried. Rosette’s soft smile spread across her face as she patted her on her head.
“Don’t worry. We’ll find her.” She said. Rosette held her as a strong scent of roses filled the room.
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