Always Be Appreciative of Opposable Thumbs

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Who Wouldn't Want to Be Friends with a Dragon?

 When Jyoji finally found Sera, she was attempting to bribe a child into letting her use his patched-up cloak.

"Come on, what do you want with that smelly old thing?" she said. "Wouldn't you rather have this nice, shiny rock?"

The little boy raised an eyebrow at the rock in her hand. "It's not that shiny. Besides, you just picked it up off the ground."

"So?"

"So I could pick another one up exactly the same as that one and keep my cloak as well."

"Listen, kid, either you give me the cloak and take the rock or I throw the rock at you and take the cloak. One way or the other, I'm getting the cloak and you're getting the rock."

She went to grab his arm, but he kicked her before she could reach him. She dropped the rock and clutched her bruised ankle.

"You're a weirdo," he said, grabbing the rock and running off.

Sera cursed and looked about, likely searching for another victim. But when her eyes fell on Jyoji, she released her ankle and straightened up.

"Why did you want his cloak?" Jyoji asked as he approached. "It wouldn't have even fit you."

"I was looking for anything to hide my face."

"Why?"

Turning away, she kicked at the dirt path. "So I could slip off without anyone recognizing me."

"But we're the only ones who know you here."

"Yeah, I know."

Now standing right behind her, Jyoji furrowed his brow at her back. "Why didn't you tell us?"

Sera heaved a sigh. "I did. Well, not by choice. Willow and Hugo knew."

"Really? When did they find out?"
"Before we met you."

He paused. "So why did you lie to me?"

"Honestly?" She turned to face him, and he was disheartened to see she was avoiding his eyes. "Because I was using you. I wanted your mule to pull our cart, so I lied about the dragon to keep you around."

A frown tugged at his mouth. "And Hugo and Willow lied to me?"

"Well, only because I lied to you first."

"Yes, well, I expect you to lie to me. But them? I must say, I'm a little hurt."

Sera eyed him suspiciously. "Seriously? You're upset with them and not me?"

"Not upset, exactly. Just a tad miffed."

There was a long silence during which neither of them was willing to meet the other's gaze. Jyoji's fingers fidgeted as he tried to breach the next subject delicately, but his enthusiasm would not be quelled.

"So you're my dragon?" he asked.

Sera grimaced. "I'm afraid so." Her eyes flickered to him. "You're not gonna start spouting love sonnets, are you?"

He reeled back in disgust. "What? Ew, no, gross."

She raised an eyebrow. "I feel like I should be offended by that."

"No, I just . . . well . . . no, it's exactly like I said. Ew."

Surprisingly, Sera laughed. "The feeling is mutual, Jojo."

He let out a relieved breath. "I mean, as a dragon, you're magnificent. But as a person, you irritate me half to death."

"And your sappy singing makes me want to retch."