10 Minute Tales

Jun 15 - RSPCD

He wandered through the street, the crate of vegetables firm in his arms. There was the usual chattering of the marketplace, jovial voices calling out, vying for his coin and attention. He shook his head with a smile as he wandered on his way.

"Enough, you damn witch!" a voice called out angrily, catching his attention. "I won't hear another word of it!"

"But sir, they're not all..."

"I said enough!" a dwarf stormed past, his unbridled fury matched in strength only by his magnificent beard. He seemed to be marching away from a table with a large box beneath it.

"Sir, I...!" a woman tried to bring him back to the table, but gave up with a dejected sigh. Curious, he approached.

"Uh, everything okay?" he asked her. She looked up, quickly rubbing her eyes.

"Yes!" she smiled, acting as though nothing had happened. "Thank you for asking!"

"What are you... doing here?" he asked her. She smiled a patient smile.

"I'm here representing the upcoming R.S.P.C.D., a society to help protect one of the smartest species of wild creatures available."

"Huh? If they're so smart, why do they need protecting?"

"Becuase we're hunting them without due control or justification."

"Okay, I'll bite. What's R.S.P.C.D. mean?"

"Thank you for your consideration!" the woman couldn't help but giggle softly. "It's the Regal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Dragons."

"... dragons?" he chuckled, incredulous. "You're looking after dragons?"

"I grant that it seems like an unusual business, but I assure you, it is necessary."

"We are talking about the giant, fire-breathing, death-dealing dragons, right?"

"Not entirely, sir." she brought out a leaflet and put it on the table. He looked at it. It showed a few creatures he hadn't seen before. "The Fiend class of dragon, the dragon you've described, does not need our protection, though we will still try to control the rampages that have given all dragons a bad name." she knelt down, fiddling with the large box. "Other species, such as the wildclaw and coatl, are at risk of endangerment or even extinction for fear of what the fiend classification has done to humans." she stood up and placed a creature on the table. It seemed to be a cross between a lizard, a fish and a butterfly, bearing large, fin-like wings and ears. It shook itself down and looked up at the woman, before glancing over at him. He was fascinated.

"Whoa... what's this?"

"This is one of the smaller breeds known as a fae dragon. They're very powerful little mages, but don't use typical gestures to communicate so they're misunderstood and adorable." she smiled, stroking under its chin with one hand and offering a dried grasshopper with the other. Its ears twitched angrily as it lunged its neck forth, snapping at the grasshopper and swallowing it in one quick motion. He blinked, a little confused.

"Okay...? Wait, is this really a dragon?"

"Exactly the problem!" she smiled, a little more triumphant. "We don't know enough about dragons to act with as much prejudice as we do! I'm sure you understand now!"

"I... yeah, this actually makes some kinda sense." he smiled, reaching a hand for the dragon. It looked up at him, making him hesitate, but it took a step closer. He took this as a good sign and gently rubbed behind the ear, like the woman had. Its ears flailed angrily at the touch, but it didn't move away.

"You're getting it!" she smiled. "Would you consider signing up, then?"

"Yeah, I'm in."