Chapter 3
As the rotors came slowed to a stop Edelweiss looked out at the vast city. Jun opened the gull wing door and stepped out. Waiting to greet her were six people. Most of them had black hair like her, except for one small old man that looked like an owl with grey hair.
The girl in the center looked about the same age as Jun. She had short hair that looked sort of like a palm tree. She wore a purple and black T-shirt, jean shorts, black leggings, stripped socks, and black boots. She had a yellow backpack slung diagonally across her back with a violin case sticking out of it. She smiled excitedly when she saw Jun.
"Hey Jun," she said. "I'm Yi, nice to see you in person."
"Yeah, I'm super excited for this trip," said Jun. "It's nice to be back in civilization again for a bit." Yi then turned to introduce the other people.
"This is my mom and Nai Nai," she said. She pointed first to a taller woman, then to an older woman who was very short and very round. "And this is my good friend Jin and his cousin Peng." She first pointed out a tall boy that was wearing a purple plaid shirt and dark jeans, then to a shorter boy in a basketball jersey and braces on his teeth. "And this is Mr. Bernish who owns this building." She pointed to the old man.
"A pleasure to meet you," said Mr. Burnish.
"Thanks for letting us land here sir," said Jun.
"You're quite welcome," said Mr. Burnish. "That's quite an impressive helicopter you came in on. Very sleek and quiet."
"It's my friend's," said Jun, gesturing to Edelweiss. This drew everyone's attention to Edelweiss who was standing right next to the helicopter clutching her guitar case, and it didn't take them long to notice her scales and her eyes.
"Woah, what a face," said Jin.
"Are those fish scales?" Peng asked. "And cat eyes?" Mr. Burnish approached Edelweiss.
"How extraordinary," he muttered, reaching for Edelweiss's arm. Edelweiss backed up looking like she wanted to bolt, she unconsciously dropped her guitar case.
"Sorry, my friend isn't used to big cities," said Jun. "She's pretty anxious at the moment." Mr. Burnish backed off apologetically.
"Oh, that's understandable," said Yi. "It can be pretty overwhelming." She spotted the guitar case on the ground and picked it up. "don't worry Edelweiss, we're pretty used to strange creatures here." She handed out the guitar case. Edelweiss took it gratefully.
"Well, it must have been a long flight for both of you," said Yi's mother. "Let's head back to our dumpling shop and get you something to eat."
"You can keep that helicopter here for as long as you need, and I'll refuel it for you," said Mr. Burnish.
"Thanks," said Jun. She went with her new friends and headed for the building's elevator. Edelweiss followed as well, but kept her distance. She didn't say a word and just listened to Jun tell Yi and her friends all about life back at the fissure.
They walked through the city streets, Edelweiss walked slightly separate but kept them in her sight. She kept glancing around at the tall buildings, the neon lights, and all the people. Fortunately, the people were too busy looking at their phones to notice her. One thing was for sure, Edelweiss was the only dragon in the whole country.
As night came the group soon reached the dumpling shop that was at the base of a small apartment building. They went inside as Jun told about her friends and about her dragon. They all sat at a table while Yi's mother and Nai Nai headed for the kitchen. Jun pulled out her phone and showed her new friends a picture of Wu and Wei.
"So you have your own dragons, that's so cool," said Peng. "I wish we could fly on a dragon."
"We've seen quite a few mythical creatures but never any dragons," said Jin.
"They are said to be the most powerful creatures in the world," said Yi. "They supposedly live in the oceans and rivers."
"Does your friend ride a dragon too?" Peng asked, pointing at Edelweiss who was sitting at a different table next to the window and watching the people outside.
"Yeah she does," said Jun. "Edelweiss lived with them her whole life and can actually talk to them."
"That would explain why she's nervous around people," said Yi. "Sounds like she hasn't had much contact with them."
"Yeah," Jun agreed. At that moment Yi's mother and Nai Nai came out with trays of hot dumplings and cups of tea, and placed them on the table. Yi's mother then spotted Edelweiss at her table, still looking out the window. She brought over a plate of dumplings. Edelweiss glanced over at her as she placed the dumplings on the table.
"You doing any better?" She asked.
"A little bit," said Edelweiss. "What's your name?"
"I'm Mai, are you hungry?" Mai asked. She pushed the plate dumplings towards Edelweiss. "They're some of the best in the city." Edelweiss glanced at the dumplings and sniffed them. She could smell meat inside. She took one and bit into it. The familiar meaty flavor helped her relax a bit.
"Thank you," she said quietly after she'd swallowed. "Food does help."
"So you've never been to a big city before?" Mai asked. Edelweiss shook her head as she bit off more of the dumpling.
"No," she said swallowing. "People are too unpredictable and I know many of them don't like things that are different." She finished the dumpling and picked up another.
"Where are you from exactly if I may ask?" Mai said.
"The wild," said Edelweiss mystically. "I have no official nationality, I come from the wild." Mai then looked down at the scales on Edelweiss's arms.
"They were talking about dragons, and that you live with them," Mai said.
"Yes," Edelweiss said. "I know you guys over here greatly admire dragons."
"We do," Mai agreed. "In fact we're coming up on our Chinese New Year, and we'll be celebrating the year of the dragon." Edelweiss's eyes went wide with interest.
"I've heard of that," she said. "It sounds like a lot of fun." Then she yawned and stretched her arms and back.
"I guess we should find you a place to sleep," said Mai. "Unfortunately our apartment is quite small, and we only really have room for one guest."
"That's all right," said Edelweiss. "Is there a balcony or a roof top patio of some kind? I don't mind sleeping outside."
"There is plenty of space on the roof," said Mai. "But, how are you with animals?"
"Animals?" Edelweiss repeated, interested. "Would these animals be these creatures Yi supposedly helps?"
"Yes," Mai confirmed.
"Then I have no problems," said Edelweiss. "I've been around dragons my whole life, I can handle anything. I'm not entirely human myself." She held up her arm, her white scales reflected the light. She ate the last dumpling in two bites. "Thanks for the dumplings."
"You're welcome," said Mai. "We're going to try some new recipes in preparation for the Chinese New Year."
"Cool," said Edelweiss. She yawned again.
"Yi can show you to the roof, she spends a lot of time up there herself," said Mai.
"Not necessary," said Edelweiss. "I can find my way, thank you." She then exited the restaurant.
She snuck around the building to the back ally way where there as bamboo scaffolding leading up to the roof. Edelweiss climbed up the scaffolding in record time and reached the roof. It had no lights of its own, but illuminated by the lights from other buildings. Edelweiss could see a sort of hideout made of wood, blankets, and tarps. There also seemed to be a large shed that was shut tight for the night. Edelweiss moved like a ghost to the edge of the roof. She found several crates and placed them together. Then she found several cushions and placed them on top of the crates, along with a blanket and pillows. It wasn't the bed she had back at her cabin, but it would do. She sat on her makeshift bed and watched the people below. Like many of her dragon friends; she felt more at ease being up high. It helped her feel safe, and free. She was just considering shifting into her dragon form, when she heard shuffling from the closed shed. Edelweiss tensed up and looked at the shed. Suddenly she heard bear like groans coming from the shed, as though something was sleeping inside. Edelweiss quietly got off the crates and approached the shed. She opened the shed a tiny crack and looked inside. Behind the door was what looked like a small lab with computer screens and consoles. On the other end was a large glass tank, inside of which was the sleeping creature. Edelweiss couldn't see details since the creature was curled in a ball, and it was rather dark in the shed. Edelweiss closed the shed and went back to her space. She could still hear the creature snoring loudly, but she was used to it after living with dragons for so long. She curled up under the blankets and fell asleep.
Inside the apartment; Yi, Mai, and Nai Nai were showing Jun to where she could stay. Yi was now telling Jun about Everest the Yeti. Jun was completely enthralled.
"A real Yeti, that's amazing," she said. "I've always known Yetis existed but no one will listen to me. Even Edelweiss, who's been to Mt. Everest many times, and she's had no interest in looking for a Yeti." Then she glanced around, now just realizing Edelweiss hadn't entered the apartment. "Hey, where is Edelweiss? I hope she didn't run away."
"No, she wanted to sleep on the roof since we don't have room of her in here," Mai explained. "I hope she won't mind having a Yeti up there."
"She sleeps with dragons," said Jun. "I'm sure she'll be fine."
"And Everest is super friendly," said Yi. "Edelweiss will love him, hopefully as much as she loves her dragons. And tomorrow you can meet him too, he loves new friends. Then we can show you all the other creatures we've helped."
"I can't wait," said Jun. She then yawned, the jet lag finally getting to her. Mai set up a blanket and pillow on the large sofa for Jun, then everyone turned in for the night.