Dragonchild

Parental Visit

Today was the day! I opened my eyes and sat at the side of my bed, it was late summer yet it had been days since the last blue skies. I got out of my bed and looked outside, a slight drizzle and there was a nip in the air, as I went to get dressed, I ran my hand over my scales, they felt rougher than when I first got them. I wore wider clothes to accommodate my scales, clothes that were fitted tighter would often rip because of the edges.

After getting dressed I walked to my table, there laid two rings which I made from nails that were botched, as I did not remember the sizes of my parents' fingers, I ran a leather strap through them so that they could wear it as a necklace.
I grabbed the rings and did my hair in the mirror, it seemed like I was getting my first stubble, which was fair as I had turned eighteen not too long ago.

I heard a door slam, it was Ulric who also was dressed rather nicely.
"Good morning, Tiber, are you ready for today?" Ulric seemed to be in a jolly mood.
"Morning, I suppose so," I replied whilst doing the finishing touches.
"Been a while since we have seen our folks, has it not?" Ulric continued.
"Yeah, it quite has, wonder if they will still recognize me," I responded half-jokingly.
Ulric gave a soft punch on the shoulder,
"Sure they will, you have not changed THAT much, you're a bit taller and can do cool magic stuff." He laughed, "See you at breakfast mister Everett." Ulric walked out of the barn, leaving behind a distinct mint-like smell...

I could not help but feel a bit worried for Leslie, she wasn't exactly thrilled for this day, so I walked up to her door and gave it a knock.
"Leslie? Are you awake?" There came a sound from the room that could only be described as someone talking into their pillow. "Can I come in?" I asked putting my ear to the door, to which I heard another mumble, this one sounding more approving than the previous. "Alright, I am coming in."

Leslie had redecorated her room since we got here, I entered her room and was met by the overwhelming smell of herbs and other plants that she was growing, she had moved her desk to the left side of the room, to where my wall was. On this table laid a lot of scattered papers, empty ink vials, and candles that had spilled onto the table. Leslie had bookmarked some books on potions, curses, ancient magic, and history books regarding lost civilizations.

Her curtains were closed and Leslie was lying on her bed, with indeed her face buried in her pillow, she was wearing a sleeveless shirt so her tattoos were visible and her black hair was spread across the pillow.

I stepped into the room and closed the door behind me, I took a glance around, seemed someone had been up late last night. "Sleeping in today?" I joked but Leslie gave no response, seems like she wasn't in the joking mood today. I sat down at the end of her bed by her feet. "Hey, what is going on?"

Leslie turned to her back and sat straight up, she looked tired as if she had not slept all night, but it was her hair covering her face that I could not make out any other details.
"I just want today to be over..." She was staring at her twiddling thumbs.

"Already?" I asked in response, as I was looking quite forward to today. "Can I ask you why?"

Leslie buried her face into her hands and dimmed her voice.
"Well, I just..." she sighed "I just know my mother is not going to show up, she wouldn't... Going to see how everyone is going to be happy seeing their parents just sucks you know, I wish I just could have something too." Leslie sniffed.

"Ah right...I get that... I could introduce you to my parents if you wanted to?" I hoped to make things better. But, to no avail, Leslie looked as distraught as before.
"What is the point? They'll only see me as everyone else...a witch, you know that is what I am..."It was rare to hear Leslie lash out like this, though when confronted with who her mother is... and evidently; she is, she tends to do so.
"Well, if it is of any help, remember that we got along fine in the beginning? My parents probably will not differ as much." Leslie shrugged her shoulders. "Do you want me to leave you alone?" I asked her.