Coda

Vail Colorado:

The Red grumbled loudly as he unlocked his old joints. He shifted into a human form and grumbled some more. "I have to be getting old." He thought to himself.

He settled himself in a comfortable lounger and pulled the phone from the cradle and dialed a number that he had memorized.

"Goldy? … Yeah it's Red. What's going on?... What? How long ago?... The Gathering? Has it been called already? …. Good. Where?... Mare Island? Where the hell is that?... California?... Last time I was there the conquistadores were slaughtering the natives in the name of their god. …. Sounds like we are going to have to get caught up on old times. …. So tell me who is it that caused this. … Mistinarperadnacles Hai Draco? How did that child get herself into this mess? Oh, never mind, tell me at the Gathering. Call her Father and tell him to meet me there. I will have some words with him about his lax education."

He hung up the phone then rose out of the chair and drifted over to the huge window looking out over his mountain. He made a nice sum of money leasing the land to one of his shell corporations then leasing it further to several resort concerns. It seemed that humans like sliding on the snow with sticks stuck to their feet. He shook his head as he looked at the view. "Who knew that you could make riches from fun." He mused silently.

He summoned his valet. "George! Where are you!"

"Here Sir, What may I do for you?"

"Prep the lear, and go purchase me some cattle, I'm hungry after that nap."

"The cattle should arrive within the hour Sir, and may I tell the pilot where to file his flight plan to?"

"San Francisco, and have a car waiting for me, also make reservations at the Hilton provided that nit-wit Paris isn't in town."

"Very good Sir, The arraignments will be ready before your meal is done."

The Valet backed out of the room. "That's a good servant. I wonder how his parents are doing?" Generations of the same family had served the old dragon faithfully keeping his affairs secret and guarded. They also ran the financial empire that he had amassed in his long life. Warren Buffet had nothing on that family for financial wizardry.

Hong Kong:

The beautiful dragon lady hung up her phone and looked around the room she inhabited. "That Red, I have missed his company. I wonder if he will be staying at the Hilton?"

She uncoiled from her wicker chair and stood before a tall mirror and examined her form. The gold colored sheath she wore hugged her slender body and she approved of the reflection. Her gold flecked eyes slid over to the prepared meal her retainers had set for her.

"Come" she commanded. A young woman stepped out from behind the doorway. "Yes Mistress?"

"Make the arraignments for my trip to San Francisco. I'll be staying at the Hilton, make sure that I'm on the same floor as Red. He may be the chairman but I'm his elder. Besides it will irritate him."

"Yes Mistress. Your meal is ready Mistress, would you like anything else before I make the arraignments?"

"Yes, find me the number of Mist's Father, I need to have a chat with him."

Paris:

The tall svelte looking man placed the phone on the hook and shook his head. "Our daughter is causing a huge uproar in our world." He said to the formidable woman next to him. Her eyes blazed a cobalt blue and the air near her fairly crackled with energy. "It seems that I and by that I mean WE are to go to San Francisco to talk to Red. I'm not looking forward to this you know."

She looked at him with an amused look on her face. "Well, what did you expect? He is going to use this to take a dig at you for winning my heart. I know that he hasn't forgiven you for that." She almost giggled.

He stepped up to her taking her in his arms drawing her into a kiss. "She may have my color but she has your air of honor."

"When do we have to be there?" she asked after they broke their embrace.

"Chinese New Year, The year of the Dragon. Seems rather appropriate don't you think?"

She laughed.

A/N: I didn't plan the years out exactly so I hope I'm close.