Short and Sweet

Dragons

Running was something that I had become accustomed to. Some would say it was because I'm a coward but they would be wrong. While mostly fear seemed to keep me going, I know that I wasn't running because I was a coward. I wasn't afraid of the consequences that others would thrust onto me, I was afraid of what my parents would think about my failure. I was supposed to inherit the spring, yet now I can only command the southern winds. I'm sure my brother will inherit what I once would have and if I ever decide to return I'll most likely receive my mother's abilities rather than my fathers.

It's been ages since I've seen my home in China. I sometimes miss it, yet the thought of going back overwhelms me with fear. Fear of what could happen, what the council would do to me if I was to ever return. For the past several years, I've been living within the States. It's been difficult to adjust, especially due to some of the eastern dragons that I see every now and again. I would have thought that Nevada would be clear, though I'm almost not surprised.

Something feels like it's drawn me here, as if someone specifically wanted me to come. Los Vegas is teeming with life, humans and creatures alike can't seem to get enough of the place. As the later hours of the night approach, many different creatures let off their true forms. Those that can fly are drunkenly soaring through the sky, a sight that brings a smile to my face. It almost reminds me of the past, when we would go to lavish parties and watch as some of the other dragons would fly home drunk. A sight for sore eyes really, because despite our grace we looked like complete fools whenever we drank too much.

My eyes scan over the sky, watching as different creatures soar above me. Some of them I'm unfamiliar with but it's not long before I spot dragons like me. They have to be tourists but I wouldn't be surprised if they were drawn here like me. This city just feels to be radiating with something that's wanting me to stay.

As I walk into a casino, I feel the pull become stronger. Whoever wanted me in Vegas must be here. The further that I get into the casino, the less people there are. A few creatures are back here but it's almost devoid of humans. They start to stare at me, making me increasingly nervous.

"You're not from around here, are you?" A deeper voice questions.

I glance over the crowd before my eyes landing on a man with horns curved around his ears. He gets up from where he's sitting and walks over to me.

"Did I do something wrong?" I question, my voice coming off quieter than I expected.

A grin appears on his face as he puts his hand on my cheek. "Nothin at all sweetheart."

My eyes stare into his. Intent laces his brown irises, making me worry for what he has in mind. I should tell him off, get him and his friends, who are now creeping up onto us, to leave me alone.

"What's a babe like you doin in the back of this casino? Lookin for a good time?"

"Looking for a friend," I lie, my voice sounding more confident. Searching the auras around me, I can see another dragon in the room right next to us. It feels familiar, warm, it feels like the one that was calling me.

"A friend?" the creature, whos aura tells me is a minotaur, questions. His hand slides down my neck then down my back a little. He pulls me a little closer to him. "Well I'm sure we'd be able to—"

I cut him off as I grab one of his horns. Pulling him down to me, I smile ever so slightly. "I would appreciate it if you and your friends backed off."

"Awe, lighten up, babe—"

"Babe me one more time and I your horn won't be the only thing that I break." Releasing his horn, I push him back to the table that he stood up from. His friends start to nurse his wounded pride while I walk past them. Going into a separate room, I try to find that dragon that I had sensed earlier.