Chapter 2: The queen's Roses

The days passed slowly in front of me, drifting from day to day, hour to hour and dream to dream. I would complete tasks during the day to help Shana and I was happy. I would wander into the forest aimlessly with Wink and would have pretend adventures. I felt like a kid. Free. Happy. Even though I missed my Family, they weren't likely to miss me. My brother would, he was only two years younger, my sister wouldn't. My parents would have figured I ran away, but even so, they worked so hard and long that I doubt they even noticed.

Even so, I had fun. I would usually take baths with Shana and Wink, but sometimes I had time alone. People around Seles had come to know me as Rose. It was cool to have a name other than "Hey you!" or "Hey Psycho!" and the such. I came to love Shana and Wink as family. They were nice and pleasant to me. But my adventure started about a fortnight after I had awakened.

I was bathing late that night. Alone, thank goodness, and I simply relaxed. My muscles had toned over my time here. Dart and Zeek were expected everyday. After all The hero contest lasted for about a week and the trek here lasted about two or three, depending on your strive to get where your going. I floated around in the pool a bit before getting out. The moons floated above the world Endiness. And glowed. There were only two now tat the other had went bye bye. I sighed and ducked under the water before getting out. It was then that I remembered I had forgotten my clothing. I started to curse profusely, and I gathered my dirtied laundry around me and ran for it. Every one was asleep, right? So who would see me? I dashed to the house and ran into the bedroom I was staying at. I shut the door and dropped the clothes. I rummaged through the drawers when I heard Shana speaking to someone. I could smell dinner through the door, and I doubted that she even knew I was home.

Again, there was that word. Home. I smiled and hugged the clean shirt. I was in Endiness, Booyah! I smiled to myself as I got out some leggings. I had laid them on the bed when the door flew open and a guy, that looked remarkable like Dart yet had Shana's brown eyes. He wore a red tunic and black leggings. His hair fell freely around his face. At first we stared at each other. And then it occurred to me. Hey doofus your standing there NAKED! My face turned red before I screamed. He slammed the door shut. I hurriedly dressed myself. The leggings were loose and the shirt was loose on my shoulders. My hair was getting dry as I threw open the door.

Dart was standing there along with the mortified young man I had seen. Shana was telling them about me. My face felt hot. I swore steam was coming out of my ears. Dart looked at me as Shana finished her story. He took a step back.

"You look exactly like Rose . . ." He whispered. I was taken aback. Sure with the black hair and eyes, just a little bit, but I mean come on! Her boobs had to have been a total D-cup and she was a lot prettier than I was. NOT TO MENTION ASIAN! I was American.((sadly I am . . . I have nothing unique.))

"Y-you're kidding right? She was way cooler than I am! I could never live up to her expectations!" I blurted out. They all stared at me. Wink came down stairs from her bedroom.

"Hey Papa, you're home! Oh hi Zeek the dweeb . . . So what's for dinner?" Wink asked.

"How do you know about Rose?" Dart asked.

I stuttered for a few minutes. "Well, uh . . . . You see Where I come form, Rose is like a media queen!! Yeah!! We like all you Dragoons because your cool and stuff and not to mention I heard Sony was taking a bid on hell, so that ups your stakes a little bit more!" I blurted out. Once again they just stared.

"You know I'm a Dragoon?" Dart said.

"Yeah! Like the fire or something . . . . And I'm sure you guys will be busting out with new cards like Pokemon or Yugi-oh . . . ." I said.

"Dad, you're a Dragoon? One of the ancient warriors who controlled dragons?!" Zeek said. For once I fully focused on Zeek. He was really hot. . . duh, he was Dart's son.

Shana leaned over to me and whispered to me while the two men were fighting.

"What were you talking about, dear?" She asked.

"Oh, nothing. He seemed so scary that I just . . . . yeah." I replied, my mortification almost complete. Yeah, I have my own mortification level gauge.

90% mortified.

"Dad, why didn't you tell me? I needed to know how great you were! I'm the son of the man who basically saved the world! Yet this girl I found naked in my room"--95%--"knows!"

"Look, I didn't want you to hate me! I've murdered many people. Not to mention, I don't really want to hear about you seeing this young woman stark naked in your room, like I was supposed to control that!"--98%--"If I were your son, would you tell me about all the things you had to sacrifice?! I don't want you to bear the weight that I had to!"

Shana stepped in,"Stop it both of you! She didn't know you were here, and not to mention she was using your room!"--99%

Wink just stood by me looking at the three adults like they were idiots."Geeze, I don't get it Rose, why are they going ballistic over seeing you naked? Aren't we all humans and have the same things?"

100% mortification complete.

I held my red face in my hands as the entire room was still. I think everyone's gauge was full. There was an excruciatingly long pause before My nervous system gave way to hiccups. Yes. Hiccups. Shana went over to me and felt my forehead.

"Oh no. your face is so red. And your running a slight fever. Poor girl, she's got the hiccups." Shana said.

"I'm hic sorry. Do you hic need help with Dinner?" I asked, my face hidden with my hair.

"No, but come with me into the kitchen. Boys you go and wash up. Wink go set the table." Shana said. You just had to admire a woman that could take hold of a family after the room being completely mortified.

After we ate, Wink was put to bed and the four older people sat by the fire. Dart studied me mercilessly while Zeek tried not to stare at me. I was kind of mortified by this as well, I mean jeeze. My boobs were getting a little bit bigger, but he saw EVERYTHING!!! at the mere thought, I felt my hiccups returning. Great . . . I let my head fall into my hands. Zeek was gorgeous. Did I mention that? Dammit . . .

"So you are called Rose, as well? What a coincidence." Zeek said. I looked up for a moment.

"Well, you certainly don't act like her, I'll tel you that!" Shana said.

"I'm not her, I don't want to lie to you Miss Shana." I said, putting my hands into my lap to keep them from shaking.

"We found this by your body." Dart said, throwing a dark stone with an even darker vertical slit in the middle. It started to glow like a black light but when I picked it up, it shone with resilience. It was like a huge Rave in a tiny little stone. I didn't have to exactly shield my eyes like Shana and Zeek did. Dart stared directly at me. Uh oh.

"You're a dragoon. Rose's dragoon. The Dragoon of darkness. And your name just so happens to be Rose. It's fate." he said.

"Ahah!!! But you are free to severe the chains of which fate binds you!" I said, standing up and pointing at Dart with a very anime way. What the hell did I just say?

Just then there were shouts coming from outside. All four of us stood up.

"Hey, what's that burning smell?" I asked. Shana looked out the window and then screamed. A large metal fist punched through and grabbed her throat.

"Ello, love, 'ow are you this fine evenin'?" said an extremely large man. His torso was hanging through the window. Oh yeah when I said Large, I meant tall. And broad shouldered. He lifted Shana off her feet and then threw her across the room.

"Them's dragoons are in here, Captain!" he yelled, going through the wall.

"Zeek, get our sister up and leave and take your mother. I'll handle him." Dart said.

"But Dad!" Zeek protested. Just then the upstairs door flew open and Wink was being held up by another man—or thing.

"Lemme go, you stupid BASTARD!" Wink yelled, and kicked and punched at him.

I felt anger and grabbed Zeek's sword out of its sheath. What?! They were both just standing there with shocked faces. I needed a weapon for cryin' out loud! I Ran up the stairs and to the orc looking thing.

"Let the kid go. Fight me like you should. The man smiled and placed the kid on the stairs. As she disappeared into a room next to Zeek's. I hefted the bastard sword to where it should have been, but damn it was heavy! The orc ran at me with a flail and started to yell. I stepped to the side and swung the sword with all my might. It shattered the orc's teeth, leaving him wailing and crying. He fell over the steps and rolled around. Being the radical dumbass that I was, I jumped on top and rammed the weapon straight through his skull, even though he had grabbed my shirt and ripped the shoulder off. I gasped and jumped back. I felt his claws dig into my skin. Wink was out and handed her brother a sword as Dart fought off people. Shana regained consciousness. The family worked together, I admired that.

I watched them for a second too late. A larger more dominate orc came in. He smiled. And then looked directly at me. He grinned and disappeared. I searched frantically for him. How could an orc— a friggin' orc move that fast?! He tapped me on the shoulder and I turned around.

"Ello poppet" he said. I blinked for a minute. Uh did anyone catch the Pirates of the Caribbean or was it just me? He lifted me up against the wall and grinned pervertedly.

"Y' know she doesn't look all that bad, though her breasts could use so enhancement."

Just for that I kicked him in his nose with the balls of my feet. That was about the only time I was proud of my B-cup. The orc got pissed, obviously and threw me over his shoulder. I yelled at him and cursed and bit and kicked and tore, but proved to no avail. Zeek saw me and started to attack the ring leader. The sword was rammed through the orc's flesh and into his stomach. That's when I remembered from the Dragon Lance novels that . . . . orcs can go into a near death rage. Oh shit.

The orc yelled as black blood was splurted out. I was thrown down as several other orcs filtered through the house. Dart was nearly out of his energy when he pulled out his Dragon stone.

"Zeek! Get Wink and your mother and get out! Your father and I can handel it . . . I hope." I yelled. I took the Dark Dragon stone from my pocket and it glowed. The orc in rage yelled and gasped. Zeek had barely gotten to his mother when a normal human grabbed her and escape in the blink of an eye. He stared about, cursing. Wink started to cry and Zeek hefted her onto his shoulder before taking his weapon back and leaving. Hey, this was a man who listened to women. I think I really liked the guy.

I smiled at the orc crashing the house as most of them closed in on me.

"Get the Dragoon of Darkness." Said an orc. I smiled and placed the stone on my chest and grabed it with my fist.

"Catch me if you can!" I said. Time seemed to stop as I felt darkness consume me. I felt desire. Deep desire for someone but my heart became dark and my eyes grew dark and my lips turned red. Blood red and I felt cool heavy armor cover my body. Wings on my back thrust out as I lifted a sword that was like a spike from a torture chamber. I had only one thing to say.

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