Chapter One Hundred and Thirteen - And Also a Dragon

Chapter One Hundred and Thirteen - And Also a Dragon

Chapter One Hundred and Thirteen - And Also a Dragon

Rhawrexdee did an admirable job avoiding all the roofs and overhangs and buildings in the street as he stomped along next to Amaryllis. He only tore off the more intrusive clothes lines and such, but eight buildings out of ten were still mostly intact when he was done moving past.

So, princess Amaryllis, Rhawrexdee said. I translated as soon as he paused, of course. I had the impression that our new dragon-y friend was actually a little nervous as he spoke. Hows that virginity of yours keeping?

I choked. You cant ask that! I said.

And why can I not? I am a dragon. I can ask what I want.

I huffed. But thats private.

Its hardly private at all. Anyone with a proper dragons nose could tell. Its as clear as her princessness, he said.

I crossed my arms. Well its still rude, and I think shed zap you for asking. There are some subjects that should be eased into, or outright avoided, I think. Stuff like politics, and religion, and the economy and, and sex stuff.

Rhawrexdee looked at me. That doesnt sound right at all. The characters in my books talk about all sorts of things like that.

Ah, Booksie butted in. She was walking on his other side. But how often do the relationships come to a head because of those things in those stories? Did you ever read the collected plays of Violet-Blue Morningsong?

Of course I have, Rhawrexdee said. It would be difficult not to, theyre exceptionally popular.

Booksie nodded. How many of those love stories end in tragedy because of politics or such?

Hrm, Rhawrexdee said. I suppose you might have a point. Very well then. Perhaps I shall try instead to pick Amaryllis up by wooing her with other things. That is the point of this part of the date, yes?

Yup. This is the walk around and chat part, I confirmed.

Very well then. Ask the princess if she prefers a negative or positive charge with her magical attacks.

I didnt see the point to the question, but I also didnt know that much about magic, so I repeated what he said back to Amaryllis.

I dont see why it would matter, Amaryllis said with a growing frown. I think most magic-made electrical discharges are negative by default. I never saw a reason to change any of that. It also helps turn the subject of a strike into a ground of sorts.

I translated that as quickly as I could.

Rhawrexdee listened attentively, then showed his teeth in a weird sort of smile. Tell her that Im a positive dragon, then remind her that opposites attract.

I had a lot of questions, but I did as he asked only to see the confusion I felt mirror itself on Amaryllis' features. Was that a pun? she asked.

I think so, I said. Um. Mister Rhawrexdee, Amaryllis is wondering if that was a pun.

Oh, it was only the beginning of them, yes. I have prepared a small hoard of them to properly woo the Thundere.

Ah, I see, I said.

Tell her that I have my ion her next, he said. Oh, and that I think she is electrifying.

While Broccoli translates all that, Booksie said. Would you mind if I asked you about that... custom. Is it a dragon thing?

Of course. It is how my father convinced my mother to be with him. She riddled him full of lightning from on high, and he told her that they had a spark. She admired his electrifying personality, and soon they formed a circuit. It was very romantic.

Booksie took a step closer to Rhawrexdee. Interesting. We learn so little about dragon culture. I didnt think that word play was so important to you.

While some of us--like myself, of course--appreciate the literary arts, more barbaric dragons will do their own thing. Its quite disappointing. I dont think there have been many dragon authors in the past. A shame, Im certain wed be far better than most.

Booksie giggled and skipped a few steps. She seemed to be genuinely enjoying herself. We should talk more on it later. Maybe I can write while you dictate a story?

That... Rhawrexdee looked the other way. That sounds possible, yes.

Oh, no one reads those books, Booksie said. They were best-sellers that no one with an ounce of dignity would admit to reading. Especially the fifth book in the series.

Theres a fifth book? Rhawrexdee asked. Truly?

Oh yes. I think I saw a copy at the local book store.

That is where we will go next, he declared.

Certainly, Booksie said. Out of curiosity, what were your favourite novels as a child?

Rhawrexdee hummed. I suppose the Tales of Knight Princess Dragonia.

Really? Booksie asked.

Do not judge me, I am a dragon, I am above your petty judgements, Rhawrexdee said.

Booksie waved her hands in the air in denial. No no, I wasnt judging. Its just that I had the entire set as a little bun. I loved them! I wanted to be just like the princesss librarian squire when I grew up.

Really? I enjoyed that character. Though it is the main character that inspired my early love for princesses. As is only proper in a young dragon.

Of course.

I looked over to Amaryllis. I think we knew each other well enough to communicate just how weird we felt, even without words. Booksie was enjoying herself though, smiling ear to ear as she talked to a very attentive Rhawrexdee about the difference in each edition of their favourite book series.

Fascinating. I will have to raid a capital one day to obtain a new set of the books.

Booksie shook her head. Nonsense. I... ah, I had a copy of the earlier edition in my store. I suppose it was left behind when I came here.

Their conversation was cut short when the trembling waiter came to take our orders. I had to repeat mine a few times since he was more focused on the dragon tearing a wider and wider hole in the entrance to pay attention.

Amaryllis ordered some pastry and Rhawrexdee ordered meat. All of the stores meat.

So, do you have any suggestions for reading material? Rhawrexdee asked.

I owned a bookstore, recommending books was my job, Booksie said.

Hrm. Perhaps it is you I should kidnap, not the princess.

Booksie grinned. I doubt Im worth the effort, but thank you. As for recommendations, that would depend entirely on what sort of reading material youre looking for. I think you have a penchant for more classical romance.

I suppose, though I wouldnt mind branching out a little, the dragon said casually.

Oh, there are a lot of other genres with romance in them, they just dont feature it as prominently. Ah, I wish I still had my store, I had so many books you would enjoy.

Perhaps when my date is over we can visit your shop.

Booksies smile grew a little fixed, and she looked down and away. Maybe, she said.

I reached out and patted her hand. Well get your shop back, I said.

Rhawrexdees eyes narrowed. What happened to her hoard? he asked.

Ah, its nothing to concern yourself over, mister dragon, Booksie said.

Well, if you say so, I suppose, he said.

The waiter chose that moment to walk into the room, carrying a large platter covered in still-smoking meat that he eased onto Rhawrexdees end of the table before scurrying off. There had to be enough meat there to feed a family of four for a month.

The books were right, the portions in places like these are awful, Rhawrexdee said.