Chapter Ten: Leaving The Nest

Trouble was clearly brewing with Artemis. She was hungry. Hungry for something more than turnips. A hunger turnips could not satiate.

Agate was worried about how to deal with it. She visited Annie's farm to ask for her help. When Annie answered the door, Agate was quick to the point.

"Hey, Annie? Do you mind selling me some of your sheep? My sister's really hungry," Agate said.

"I won't give my sheep away knowing they're going to be eaten! But... what has Artemis been eating up until now?" Annie questioned.

"I've been trying to raise her as a vegetarian, but she doesn't like it. So I thought I'd get her something else as a treat," Agate said.

"Well, I... I don't want to give up my sheep... But I don't want Artemis to go hungry..." Annie murmured, torn between the two options.

"Never mind, Annie. I'll buy them from somewhere else. I only asked you because I don't know how long Artemis will wait before attacking the safari animals," Agate said.

"Do you really have enough money to buy that much food for her?" Annie asked.

"I'm a dragon. I have a gold hoard," Agate replied.

"Oh. So that's a thing. All right then. If Artemis returns to a vegetarian diet, I'll sell you some of my crops!" Annie said.

"Thanks! See you around," Agate said and left.

Now and again, Agate, Mistel, Annie and Raeger would all gather at the safari, since they were the only ones who knew about Artemis.

Raeger had already made it clear he preferred fully grown dragons but he was eager to spend time with the small Artemis.

On this particular day, Raeger was attempting to show his prowess at befriending magical creatures by holding Artemis in his arms. Artemis definitely seemed to approve of him; stretching up and licking his face.

Although her tongue was rough and quite horrible against his face, everyone else in the room was impressed by Raeger's charm. Raeger himself was impressed until Artemis became too friendly and her tongue went into his left nostril.

He exclaimed and dropped Artemis in surprise.

Artemis had never fallen before and when she hit the ground, she was so surprised by the impact that she started crying out, more in shock than pain.

Agate and Mistel leapt to attention, maternal/paternal instincts kicking in. They both tried to pick Artemis up and comfort her but ended up struggling over her.

Raeger was too busy feeling violated to do anything. Annie watched Agate and Mistel for awhile and then turned to Raeger, asking him if she could do anything to help.

"Get me out of here," Raeger requested.

And so went most of their gatherings with Artemis.

There didn't seem to be any consequences to anyone's actions until one day when Iris approached Agate while she was getting ready to leave for the safari. Agate wondered why Iris looked so worried.

"What's the matter?" Agate asked quickly.

"It's my brother... He's been acting so strangely," Iris sighed.

"What do you mean?" Agate asked.

"You must know. He's been going to the safari so often lately. It's so unlike him. Out of nowhere, he suddenly became obsessed with going there," Iris explained.

"I haven't noticed anything unusual though," Agate said.

"Maybe it's because he's my brother. But he's become so distant. As though he's lost in another world. He's never been like this before. I can only think of one reason... He's fallen in love, hasn't he?!" Iris stated.

Agate said nothing. She thought about Mistel and Artemis... In a way, it was love.

Iris presumed from Agate's silence that she was unaware of her entire meaning. "Didn't you know?" Iris asked.

"Um... Know what?" Agate asked, confused.

"I thought... if he's visiting the safari so frequently, wouldn't that mean he's fallen in love with you?" Iris said.

Agate laughed, a little nervously, and shook her head. "That's not the case. Trust me," she added.

"Oh... If you're so sure, then what has caused his sudden change in attitude? Why is he visiting the safari so often?" Iris questioned worriedly.

"Iris? I think it would be better if you didn't pry so much. Do you really have to interfere with Mistel's life?" Agate said.

"But... but..." Iris murmured.

Before Iris could come up with a reply, Mistel entered the room. Iris saw him and at first, wasn't sure what to do.

Then she walked over to him, hugged him, and said, "I guess you had to leave the nest eventually!"

As Iris left the room, Mistel and Agate stared after her, completely baffled.

"What just happened?" Mistel asked.

Agate shrugged. She hadn't a clue.