Music filled the air as the murmurs and cries of various dragons rang out. Jarek took it all in as he watched numerous dragons mill about Dragontown Kumandra. He had seen events such as this back in Talon. He recalled the times he had gone to these sorts of festivals as a boy. Such sights sounds and food. The latter was his favorite, particularly the sweets. He recalled how he had once bet his sister how many sweet buns he could stuff in his mouth, then proceeded to devour said buns. Good times, all under his parent's watchful eyes. Just thinking of them made him miss them.
Now here he was in a dragon festival, with his newfound friends.
"What did I tell you, Skippy?" Sisu announced happily.
"I have to say, you were right Sisu," Jarek responded.
"Oh, you are going to have the time of your life!" Sisu excitedly cheered.
Jarek could tell just by looking at the ongoing festival, that it was true.
"Well we should get started, I can show you around and-" Sisu's voice trailed off as her head looked backward.
Jarek watched as the dragoness's face fell, her mouth dropping agape and her eyes growing wide.
"Oh no," She muttered.
"What?" Jarek asked.
In the sky, dancing upon the moisture in the air were several dragons. Jarek knew they were dragons for only dragons would be able to move so seamlessly through the air. The rest of Sisu's siblings gathered, all staring up just like their sister, but their emotions were not ones of dread.
Concern, but not dread. Though Jarek knew in his heart that concern was for Sisu.
Pengu granted his middle sibling a look, one that Sisu returned. Though Jarek wasn't a mind reader, he had known the Datu siblings long enough to know what they were trying to convey.
"Hold it together Sisu," Was what Pengu was saying.
The dragons landed, all in various colors and horn shapes, each one giving off an air of command, but the one that caught the most attention was the dragon that landed last. When she did, Jarek couldn't believe it. There standing before him was a golden dragon. A pair of blue eyes stared out at her head, and atop her head was a pair of horns, much akin to an elk's, and situated between them was a silver tiara.
"Greetings all! Worry not for your lady has returned!" The dragoness declared, her voice smooth as silk, and carrying a melodious tone to it.
Jarek found his breath caught in his throat, but Sisu's reaction is what got his attention. Sisu stood there with a clear scowl on her face.
The dragoness scanned the area and caught a glimpse of each of the Datu siblings.
"Pengu! Amba! Oh, it's been so long! Pranee Jagan! Oh goodness, it's so wonderful to see you again!" Then her eyes fell upon Sisu, "And Sisu, how is my favorite cousin?"
Sisu's scowl softened and formed into a half-smile, "Hello Reela."
Jarek found his breath leave him. This was Reela? The same Reela Sisu had often talked about? Or rather complained about.
As if sensing the tension Sisu was radiating, Pengu was the first to speak, "Hello cousin Reela, I take it you had a safe journey?"
"Oh yes! Somewhat arduous but nothing too strenuous," Reela replied, putting a claw to her head as if the emphasize how tiring the journey was.
Jagan suddenly burst in between them, "Hey Reela! This is for you!" Jagan said, presenting a flower in his mouth.
Reela gazed upon the flower, her eyes full of awe, "Oh my! Thank you! Oh cousin this is such a lovely gift!"
Behind them, Jarek heard a glimpse of muttering. Looking aside he could see Sisu muttering something. Though she was more than likely intending to have it under her breath, Jarek was able to catch snippets, and it was clear Sisu was mocking her cousin.
Shocked as he was about this display from Sisu, his thoughts turned to Reela, and soon found her eyes gazing upon him.
"Well...and who is this appetizing specimen?" Reela asked.
Jarek immediately felt his face turn bright red as those alluring blue eyes locked upon him.
"Um...h-h-hi, I'm Jarek," Jarek muttered.
Reela's eyes lit up in surprise, "Oh, so you're Jarek? I've heard the tale of you," Reela said.
She slowly sauntered up to him, Jarek carefully watching each step. Her footsteps were in perfect accord as if carefully planned. Jarek simply watched those blue eyes grow closer until they were staring directly at him. The minute Reela's face met his, he felt a sweet scent wafting from her breath. Jarek couldn't quite place it, but he knew there was a familiar tinge to it.
"My, my, aren't you a specimen," Reela noted.
Jarek felt himself growing hot, so much he could swear he was giving off steam.
"Yes!" Suddenly Jarek felt a shove as Sisu barged her way in-between them, "Jarek is my student! I've been teaching him how to be a dragon!"
"My goodness cousin! You've certainly moved up in the world! Going from a savior to a teacher! Quite a leap!" Reela expressed.
Sisu held her head up with considerate pride, a pride that Jarek had never seen before, "Yes I have moved up and I have to say Jarek here has proven to be a good example of a dragon!"
Jarek wasn't sure if he counted as the best example of a dragon, especially considering he wasn't born a dragon. What was stranger still was how Sisu was acting. If Jarek didn't know any better, she was bragging which was something that seemed very out of character for the normally humble Sisu. Furthermore, he watched her body carefully, noticing a distinct increase in her breathing. Her chest heaved up and down, each breath filled to the brim with rage. That made it all the more disturbing. He wasn't sure Sisu wasn't capable of getting angry.
"Well that's quite a feat, but I do prattle on, we have a festival to attend!" Reela declared.
Jarek grinned as Reela backed up briefly.
"I couldn't agree more!" Jagan suddenly cheered, "I'd be happy to escort you Cousin Reela."
Jagan's presentation made Jarek chuckle. He couldn't believe it but here it was: Jagan, the hedonistic party boy was honestly in love. Granted it was his cousin, but still, he was in love.
A tiny crack of a smile formed upon the edges of his face. Frankly, he was happy for his friend, and he hoped something would amount to this.
"Oh my dear cousin Jagan, nothing would please me more than to traverse about the festival grounds with you, but alas I must decline," Reela replied somberly.
Jagan's face fell, "What? B-B-But why?"
The very sight of Jagan being disappointed made Jarek feel for the guy. He felt a pain in his chest and he knew it all too well as the sensation of heartbreak. He knew that first hand.
"Please do not take offense my dear, sweet, innocent cousin, I merely wish to know our guest, Sir Jarek, all the more," Reela answered.
Though Jagan's ears were hidden behind his mane, Jarek could tell they were falling. Pengu placed a claw upon his brother's shoulder in sympathy.
"So! Shall we get going Sir Jarek?" Reela said, instantly rushing to Jarek and gazing upon him with blinking eyes.
"Um…well," Jarek managed to spit out, the nervousness creeping back in.
"Fine! We'll go! But only if I come along!" Sisu declared.
"The more the merrier!" Reela chimed in, "Shall we get going?"
As Reela beamed up at Jarek, the black-furred dragon felt his face growing hot once more and behind Reela he could see Sisu glowering.
"Sure! Why not?" Jarek walked on ahead, but as he took a step, Sisu was the one to lead the charge, holding her tail up as she strutted.
Once more, Jarek couldn't help but find the display strange. Behind them, Jagan watched but he stated, "I'm not giving up on her."
Smiling, Pengu gave his younger brother a light slap on the shoulder, "Atta boy."
Jagan smiled back. When someone was in love, they didn't just give up. But if it wasn't meant to be, then it wasn't meant to be.
XXX
Jarek looked about at his surroundings. The sights, the sounds, they were all so similar to Talon. And he was here with two lady dragons. Despite the sounds around them, a thick silence hung between the trio. He felt an overwhelming feeling of tension radiating off of Sisu. Jarek gazed pensively at her.
"So Reela, what kind of magic can you do?" Jarek asked.
Reela's face lit up, "Why I'm so glad you've asked!" Reela glanced at the ground moving her claw as if she was searching for something, her face dimming. Then her face lit up once more as she spied something, picking it up. It was a rock.
Holding it perfectly between her claws, Reela gave an expression of concentration. Looking closely, Jarek could see several particles moving towards the rock, and then in a small puff of golden smoke, the rock was gold itself!"
"Ta-da!" Reela cheered.
As the dragoness planted the rock in Jarek's hands, the former human's jaw dropped, "Wait. You can turn things to gold!?"
Reela flashed a proud smile, "Indeed I can my dear, I can transmute anything to gold, so long as it isn't living of course."
Jarek observed the golden rock with awe and wonder, "I can't this is just...wow! I mean this is possible the greatest magic ever! If I had this I wouldn't have needed to scrounge for bits!"
The praise Jarek granted Reela only served to broaden her smile and swell her with even more pride than what she was feeling.
"Oh you are too kind," Reela granted with a somewhat haughty laugh.
Suddenly, a loud but brief growl sounded out. Both Jarek and Reela looked on ahead and found that it was in the same direction as Sisu. It dawned on Jarek it was Sisu. And it wasn't just a groan of dissatisfaction, but an animalistic growl.
"You know what? I'm hungry, I think I'm going to head to the food stands," Stated Sisu.
"But don't you want to check out" Jarek began to protest.
"I'm hungry!" Sisu interrupted, "You two go have fun, then you can make fog afterward!"
Jarek's face loosened and tightened, as if he was trying to decide on which emotion to feel, "Making fog?"
He didn't have time to question her as Sisu stomped off leaving him alone with Reela.
"Oh don't mind her, why don't we have fun together?" Reela suggested, blinking her eyelash-laden eyes.
Jarek only gulped and replied, "Uh huh."
He felt his face getting hot again. All the while Sisu stomped in the other direction. The dragoness continued along her path ignoring everything else.
"Stupid Reela! Come along charming him, taking him away!" Sisu's grumbles were heard only to her, but she was indeed angry.
Gazing up briefly was enough for something to catch her attention. She stomped over, sat herself down, and said, "I want a bowl, and keep it coming!"
The dragon in front of her merely said "Sure thing Miss."
At least Sisu could find some comfort, for the stand above signified it was a noodle stand.
She needed some comfort food right about now.
XXX
"So Sir Jarek, how are you enjoying being a dragon?" Reela asked, her body dangerously close to Jarek's.
Jarek could only gulp again and reply, "Oh...it's fine, different but fine."
"Well I for one think it's amazing you have been elevated to our status and you get to enjoy this lovely festival," Reela stated, "Oh what sights and sound to behold! It brings back fond memories of myself as a child...oh what's that!?"
Jarek's attention was turned towards a particular stand, one with a sign that said "Whack-A-Druun."
Curious, Jarek walked over, and before him was a stand with several holes.
"Step right up, come and take a whack! Feeling angry at the long years you spent as garden ornaments? Well here's your chance for some payback!" The dragon barker cried.
"What exactly is this?" Jarek said, spying a mallet at the side.
"It's Whack-A-Druun, my friend! Come on give it a whack!"
"Oh yes do give it a try Sir Jarek!" Reela urged.
Taking the mallet, Jarek stared at the open holes, curious as to how this contraption worked. Soon he received his answer.
A whirling sound came and soon something emerged. The suddenness of its appearance made Jarek jump back. It was a small figure, perfectly formed in the shape of the hole. It was purple with a somewhat comical and frightening visage. Jarek quickly deduced it was a Druun or at least an attempt at making an artificial one.
The "Druun" sank back into its hole, but a new one quickly emerged out of another one. Quick thinking, Jarek grabbed the mallet and brought it down upon the false Druun. A soft ping rang out and was quickly followed by the arrival of the false Druun.
"Oh Sir Jarek! You're doing it!" Reela cheered.
Jarek felt a flash of pride and continued to whack the Druun. The more he did it, the more he soon found himself enjoying this.
"I think I may have found my calling," Jarek complimented himself.
All the while Reela cheered. Before long the game ended, but that was only the first stop within Dragon Fest.
As soon as the game ended, Jarek felt like a little victory meal was in order, but he didn't have a taste for sweets, no, he figured some noodles were in order. He had always felt noodles were a good treat for victory. Sweets were just that, dessert treats.
That and Reela insisted on noodles. Something about this dragoness had a way of driving another creature to do what she wanted.
"Just a quick little snack and off to the rest!" Reela stated.
Jarek didn't have a problem. After all, the night was still young and there was plenty to see and eat. Jarek had secretly hoped to find some sweet stands and pig out, but something about Reela deterred that.
"Oh my, that place looks splendid!" Reela announced.
Ahead lay a noodle stand, but what was noticeable is that it had one patron, one blue patron to be precise. Slumped over was a long blue dragon, and situated around the dragons were several bowls. The dragon was bobbing their head slightly and a loud slurping noise gave out. The dragon then let out a loud belch.
Reela recoiled, "Goodness such terrible manners!"
"Another!" The dragon cried out in a hoarse voice.
The dragon managing the stall nervously replied, "I think you've had enough ma'am."
"I'LL TELL YOU WHEN I'VE HAD ENOUGH!"
Amid the exclamation, the dragon slammed their, or her claw upon the table causing the bowls to shake, and at that moment Jarek recognized the voice.
"Sisu?"
The dragon turned her head and sure enough, the visage of Sisu stared back at them, but it wasn't the Sisu Jarek and Sisu knew. Her face held in a drunken crooked smile, her tongue lolling out out a sauce-stained visage. But what drew attention was her belly. Her former slim frame had plumped up around and outward, and judging from the numerous bowls behind her, it was easy to see why.
"Heeeeeyyyy Skippy! Howz it hangin?" Sisu said giving a loud hiccup as she lumbered forward.
The minute the dragoness did, her steps faltered and she nearly tripped. Jarek nearly reached for her, but the dragoness quickly caught herself, getting back up.
"What happened to you?" Jarek asked.
"Jus have URP a little snacky poo!" Sisu answered.
"Cousin Sisu! Look at yourself! Have you no shame!?" Reela admonished, "Why you should be ashamed of yourself! Why if you had an acute attack of indigestion it would serve you right!"
Sisu glared at Reela, another soft burp escaping her lips, "You! Weeelll look at Miss Pretty Pants. You think you're so clever with your fancy looks, fancy pipe, and your fancy little upbringing, well you know what sister? I BEAT YOU! I ate aaaaaallllll these noodles, so finally, I one-upped you!"
A look of pure perplexion etched upon Reela's face.
"And you know what? It felt good!" Sisu hiccuped right in Reela's face and the sheer smell of the spices hit her causing the golden dragon to wrinkle her nose.
Sisu's face lolled over towards Jarek and a sloppy grin crossed her face, "And there you are you handshome specimen!"
Jarek found his face was getting hot a lot tonight, "Sisu, maybe you should go lie down?" Jarek quickly suggested.
Raising her claw, Sisu replied, "Ya know what? I shink I'll go do jush that!" Sisu wobbled as she walked ahead, but as Jarek watched the food-drunk dragon slink off, he found himself darting to her side.
"Sir Jarek!" Reela called.
"I'll be back! I just have to make sure she gets home!" Jarek cried back.
After all, Jarek wouldn't be such a good student if he left his teacher alone after her little binge.
A/N: Aww Sisu is jealous isn't she?