Dragon's Pride

Adjusting

DIPPER:
We had met our great uncle and truthfully, he seemed sketchy. He wasn't a bad guy but I still didn't fully trust him. He really loved to torment me and because I made an oath not to use my "dragon abilities" in-front of people here, I had to put up with it. Mable loved him since he was practically the male, older, and grumpier version of herself. By that meaning, she thought with her heart rather than her head. I could tell he was the same. We unpacked our room and I put all of the journals I kept in a bag behind a picture frame. There was already a hidden compartment back there so it was convenient for me for now. I knew that we'd be staying here long term, so I decided to build a study area for me. I love Mable but whenever she has sleepovers it can be a little much for me and I needed a me space. Mable already knew about this idea since I told her on the bus and she was surpassingly okay with the idea. After we finished unpacking our things, we went downstairs and our grunkle told us we'd be working at the shack. "You gonna wear that kid?" He asked condescendingly. I knew what he was thinking and nodded. "Whatever." He shrugged. Not the reaction I was expecting but okay then.

One of the benefits the outfit had was that it never smelled bad no matter how dirty it would get and when it would get dirty, I'd just wash it off like a piece of my body. The only "removable" piece of the outfit was the hood. I could take the hood off and on but not separate it. I was sweeping the shack as the final tourists came through and then I saw a red headed girl at the register. "Hey, I'm Wendy." She said to Mabel after she introduced herself. she then pointed to me and I nodded a hello. She seemed cool and elegant somehow I learned later she was from a family of lumberjacks and was a real tomboy. After the Shack closed, I told Mable I was going out to explore the forest she nodded and told me she was going to try and find a date. I rolled my eyes then left. I walked through the dense forest and found many strange plants and animals until I came up to a clearing. It was surrounded by blue luminescent mushrooms that gave off a sweet smell. Form one glance I could tell it was a barrier. I decided to pull out the current journal I was working on and recorded the findings about the blue illumishrooms as I called them. I sat on a stump outside the circle then when I was finished writing, I poked the barrier and found that I was able to phase through it.

I popped my head through and saw a huge village in one giant willow tree. Everyone and everything was tiny accept the massive willow tree. There were little houses and buildings on the ground surrounding the tree too. Everything was connected by bridges, branches, and rope pulleys. I was fascinated and watched as the little winged creatures flew around until one noticed me since it was flying high up (by their standards) and it shrieked. "Dragon!!!!" It said in a strange language. I was curious as to how I was able to understand it but then put a finger to my lips and went ssshhh! The winged people gathered to observe me and I whispered to not scare them. "Sorry for intruding. I'll leave." I said politely and then one of them told me to wait. "Wait! Sorry sir dragon, we just don't understand why such a superior being is watching us." One of them said in the strange language. "Sir dragon?" I giggled lightly at the nickname. It wasn't the worst I've been called. "You have the aura of a powerful dragon but also....something else." The little guy said with his eyes narrowed. "I'm a little confused, but I think it's the clothes I'm wearing you're sensing." I said and they shook their head no. "No, it's definitely coming from you. Are you perhaps a dragon pup?" He asked. "Pup?" I said. "A pup is a young dragon that has not grown out of its baby skin." Another one explained.

"Wait is this outfit "baby" skin?" I asked trying to piece together what I was understanding. They nodded. "Does that mean this outfit will come off?" I asked hopeful and the others giggled. "Yeah but your body will change to match the outfit you're wearing. The outfit is like a cocoon until you reach the prime age for transformation. For magic creatures raised by humans it ranges from 13-16." The guy explained once more. "This has been very informational. Mind if I come talk to you all again?" I asked. They talked amongst themselves and nodded. "You are a good pup and we'd love to have you. Do you by change have a way to alter your size?" He asked and I shook my head no. "It would be convenient for us if you were smaller as I'm sure it would be for you, go to the cave behind the falls at the lake and there are some crystals that can change your size." I nodded and thanked them for the information. The lake wasn't far from the shack and now I knew of a great place to make my hideout. The sun was setting so I decided to check out the place tomorrow since it was a weekend and Stan didn't like to work on them. I got back to the shack and Mable said she had a date on Sunday. I asked her how she managed to get a date after one day and she looked at me coyly. "With my Mable charm!" She said.

I cleared my day for Sunday to make sure my sister wasn't in over her head. We turned to each other in our respective beds then said goodnight. Morning came so I snuck out the window and climbed down the gutter going on my morning run. I mapped most of the town yesterday so I had a good idea as to where I was going and if push came to shove, I could always fly. I finished my run with no problems and the sun was starting to get into the "day" position so I made my way back to the shack. When I got inside Stan greeted me and asked where I went. "Out." I said and walked passed him. I never really wanted to talk to him since if he figured out what I was he'd probably look at me the same way our parents did. Which reminded me, "I have to tell Mable about what the little winged people said." I thought then decided to do that after I went to the cave.