The Last Dragon's Son: A Modern World

Chapter 1: Arrival

                                                                                     3 hours passed

After scaling down the cliff side using my mother's wings we made the long trek through the woods filled with bright greenery and animals such as squirrels, little mice, and birds to get to the town from the road that went through said woods. Upon arriving at the town mother was immediately recognized as she made frequent trips to get ingredients for our meals although I was given questioning looks from the townspeople as I had never shown up with her before. I felt uneasy and out of place here from all the looks I was getting from those around us so I took a few more steps closer to mother in order to quell the rising anxiety of seeing all these new people, however it only worked slightly. After more walking, and focusing on my mother's hair to distract myself from all these people, we arrived at a coffee shop to take a break, my mother noticing my anxiety and discomfort of all this new people and scenery. Once entering the shop my mother pointed to a booth near the left corner of the coffee shop and softly said "Wait for me there alright?" To which I nodded lightly. Without further delay I went and sat down a little hurriedly and looked over at my mother, watching as she orders a coffee with two sugars and one cream and for me she ordered a cup of water before coming to sit next to me. Once she had sat down next to me she placed her hand on mine to calm me down as i didn't realize i was clenching it so tightly shut from all the over stimulation i was receiving. In a soft tone once more my mother spoke in my ear, "It's alright to be frightened or scared right now. I understand as this is your first time seeing the outside world and other people besides me." After hearing this my hand slowly opens and I calm down quite a bit, but still slightly filled with anxiety. After about 2 minutes a female waiter appearing to be in her fifties approached us with our drinks and she sits across from us looking at my mother and with a sly grin, cheeky tone, and a slight southern accent asks, "Who's this good looking guy you've found Belle?" Taken aback by what was just said, a flood of embarrassment courses through me for some reason and I stutter flusteredly "W-wh-wha-what? N-no it's not like that at all!" With light chuckles from mother she calmly says, "Oh Maryland this isn't my partner he's my son." Clearly shocked, the woman named Maryland's expression falls from a joking manner and she sits in disbelief for a few moments before finding her words again. "O-oh is that so I hadn't guessed you'd be a mother..." and with another chuckle my mother says, "I may look rather young but honestly I'm in my late thirties bound for my forties soon enough." Confused by what mother just said I was about to say something but remembered that she's a dragon appearing to be human so i kept my mouth shut and said nothing as this woman that my mother seemed to know didn't know who or what she really was, so I played along with what she said from that point further. After another few moments Maryland asks "So...um what about his father? Is he still around?" I looked at my mother a little worried to see her face put on a false emotion of sadness or grief before speaking while looking downward at her drink "He unfortunately died shortly before Orien was born so we've lived by ourselves..." Maryland responded with a small gasp of sadness, "Oh I'm so sorry I shouldn't have asked... forget I said anythi-" but before Maryland could finish her sentence mother interrupted and said "It's alright you didn't know. I suppose it is my fault for not really opening up about my personal life. Well who would've liked to hear something so depressing really?" After saying those words a small smile appeared on her face and she perked up more into the usual attitude she had when we first arrived at the town. As an onlooker to this conversation it felt like I was light air until Maryland turned to me saying, "I hope this hasn't been too hard for you now deary." Looking towards her I shook my head with a somber smile and said "No it's alright I never knew him but I always had my wonderful mother there for me so I don't really mind all that much. Though I wish I could've at least met him before he passed..." Maryland then let out a sound of sympathy and began to stand up from the booth we were sitting in, "Well I best get back to work don't need to be caught off guard for other customers now. You two have a wonderful rest of your day." I nodded and responded with, "Thank you and you as well it was a pleasure to meet you." Maryland smiles and says, "Oh such great manners you really raised him Belle." Mother then laughed softly and replied with, "I've just tried as best as I could on my own." Mother then looked at me and placed her hand on my head while smiling warmly as Maryland began walking away and when she was out of ear shot mother whispered to me, "You did very well for your first interaction with another person even if you had to lie about your life." accepting the praise I say "Thank you mother." I felt warm and fuzzy from this and couldn't keep myself from smiling the rest of the time we were there finishing our drinks.