Three Spheres

Chapter 59 - Decadence

The day dawns partly cloudy and a cold breeze shakes the flowering bushes. The square is less busy than the day before. The climate is mild and calming. Around the complex of buildings, carved stone streets generate an ideal circuit for a morning run, as Johan imagined. "Waking up early is bad, but at least it's cooler...", he concludes as soon as he finishes the several laps he forgot to count.

At that time, most of the guests are ready for another full day of meetings. None of the lectures, however, are of his interest. Virtually all of them are about problems, bureaucracies, rules or subjects too complex for him to understand. As he walks towards the dorms, he sighs. Everything is calm, peaceful, and extremely boring. He craves action, frustrated by the secret desire to set out on another absurd adventure with...

A powerful roar interrupts his thoughts. Curious, he advances towards the inner courtyard of the North building. There, he is surprised by the imposing figure of a Dragon that dodges the Rangers that try to get closer. Its growls sound like outraged offenses. In front of him, Godeve shakes her head, saying:

_ I understand...

"Huh, she talks to the Dragon", Johan thinks, "Funny". The two seem to discuss something relevant and, little by little, the woman manages to get the creature to agree with certain conditions. The Paragon looks relieved and asks the Rangers to fetch the gifts. Johan approaches one of them and asks what is happening there, to which the lad replies:

_ Did you get to see the opening? The main power of Mrs. Busia is that she has contracts with several Dragons from all over the world. They're her familiars, except that they live in their natural habitats. Then, they only come if Mrs. Busia calls out to them. Even so, Dragons aren't completely rational Fabulares, so, from time to time, she needs to renegotiate with them so they don't go rampage destroying things. This Dragon, for example, is the "king" of a huge nest here in Flavi.

Johan responds with a "Hmm" and takes a few steps forward, merely curious. The Ranger tries to stop him, but it's no use. He only stops when Godeve exclaims:

_ Young man, no! Don't come any closer...!

The Dragon perceives the presence of the uninvited visitor and snorts. It lowers its head close to the ground and approaches the boy, slowly. Godeve holds out her hands, ready to erect a barrier. Johan analyzes the coarse details of the creature. A few centimeters away, the Dragon stops. It sniffs around and makes a guttural growl. Godeve approaches:

_ I beg your pardon, sir. He's a naive boy. Please let him g-...

_ Good morning. _ Johan says, putting his hand on the rough snout.

The Dragon releases a white mist from its nostrils, while Johan runs his fingers through the scales. At the angle of the gigantic jaw, he scratches strongly and the creature "purrs".

_ You like it here...? _ He says.

Suddenly, the Dragon walks away, pompous. Godeve remains gaping. Johan looks at her, while the Rangers mutter among themselves.

_ I love the Dragons. They're like natural disasters, without any malice. _ Godeve says, smiling _ Their beauty is in this pure and unkind force that for being so great, is difficult to use in anything but destruction. _ She pauses _ They're aloof, cautious, and proud. They don't usually like people... but they are essential allies.

_ We're alike... I guess. _ Johan replies, holding the brooch to his chest.

"How ridiculous!", Nayla thinks, as she leaves the room. Several people mutter among themselves about the discussions of moments before. "First, they changed the principle of transparency, as if issuing a monthly general statement is enough! Now they want to create a new class between Major and Marescallum and, to make matters worse, they denied all of our proposals for restructuring the ACU! What good was all our work if they were just going to say no anyways?!", she thinks to herself, gesturing alone.