Bars, Fights and Tears
—-----------------------------------------------
A few hours later, Rayla and John leave the hotel after making themselves look presentable.
“Are you sure it’s a good idea for me to leave Thoma alone? He collapsed at the church after all…”
“Well, it’s not surprising. Today was one heck of a big day for all of us and especially him. He got confirmation that he’s actually a she and that he’s a real Dragon. He got his license suspended, labeled a minor and then enjoyed himself like a kid would for the first time in his life which I’m sure was quite confusing for him. And who knows what he saw at that church that made him pass out…”
“You’re right, I should go back…”
John grabs her by the arm, “Hold it. You’re his sister not his mom. If you don’t allow yourself to have fun because of him you will eventually start to resent him. This was an exhausting day for all of us, we deserve a bit of time away as well. Also, Scarlet and Sher Aka are there as well in case anything does happen.”
“Yeah…That’s another thing, is it really a good idea to leave those two alone?”
“They’ll have to talk things out eventually so now is as good a time as any. Especially since both of them care about Thoma Ahad. I doubt they’ll get physical again with him there.”
“I guess that’s true…I’m just worried.”
Straightening his shirt, he answers, “I’d be worried too if I were you, I mean what if the hot guys all come flocking to me instead of you? That might finally break that ego of yours.”
“Pfft, as if. If that were to happen it would just mean that we accidentally ran into a gay bar.”
“Well… At least you aren’t delusional enough to think you are the exception that can make them fall for you.”
“Please, I might be confident but I also know that what you're attracted to isn’t a choice. If it was, I'm sure no one would choose to be gay with how people treat you.”
Meanwhile in the hotel room, Sher Aka is sitting on a chair with her arms crossed staring at Scarlet, while Scarlet is sitting on the bed next to Rose staring back at Sher Aka.
“Is it really true? Was the great fire started because of the murder of a generation of Dragons?”
“Of course it’s true. Ask any dragon that survived the great war about the night of shards, they can attest to it.”
“Then why is this not common knowledge under the Elves as well?”
“How should I know? Your country probably just didn’t want you to know. The Elven kingdoms denied all involvement back then and to this day.”
“Then how come you’re so sure it was us?”
“We caught a few of the assassins. All of them were Elves. When they were interrogated using magic they all said they were the mountain king’s secret taskforce.”
“If they actually were a secret taskforce, wouldn’t they have some contingencies against being mind controlled into telling the truth?”
“They did, most of them killed themselves when they were caught.”
Sher Aka thinks for a bit, “Alright, let’s say that’s true, why did you attack the other Elven nations as well? You only had solid proof against one.”
“We did it because they declared war on us after we wiped out the Mountain Kingdom.”
“Are you surprised by that? Even if they did that, genociding an entire country full of innocent civilians is too much!”
Crossing her arms, Scarlet answers, “Was it merciful? No. But it was justified. I do not blame my grandfather for choosing the option that would give us retribution.”
“...”
“I do not agree with the methods. But provided this is all true… I would like to apologize,” Sher Aka says while standing up and walking to the bed.
“I have wrongfully hit you and called you a monster. Feel free to slap me back, it’s only fair.”
“Oh? Are you sure? I’ll make sure to inflict the same pain on you that you inflicted on me.”
“That’s only fair.”
Dramatically winding up, Scarlet smirks as she pretends to go full force only to give Sher Aka a pat on the cheek, “There you go, that should be about the same pain you caused me.”
“Are you mocking me?”
“A little, but it also didn’t hurt. A normal slap won’t do anything to me, I’m covered in scales after all. Don’t ever call me or my family monsters again though.”
“Understood.”
“Good,” Scarlet smirks while offering Sher Aka her hand for a handshake, “I respect people that can admit when they are wrong.”
Sher Aka without hesitation takes her hand, “Likewise.”
About an hour later, Rayla and John hide in a side alley.
“Where’d the fucking tail licker go?”
“Dunno, let’s check over there!”
“Does this sort of thing happen often when you try to find a date, John?”
“Eh…Since I don’t know the code around here, it’s about a 50/50 chance something like it will happen.”
“Code? What code?”
“The queer code. There are usually signs where you can tell what establishments are queer friendly. I just don’t have any idea what the signs for it are in this city.”
“Huh…So, where do we go now?”
“Somewhere in a two block radius from here. One block is too close but two blocks should be fine.”
A businessman in a suit then enters the alley, walking straight towards John with a business card in hand, “Hello there. Don’t worry, I’m also a friend of Darcy. I recommend this place, she tends to hang out there in the back.”
After handing over the business card he disappears as quickly as he appeared.
Looking at John, Rayla asks, “Who the hell is Darcy?”
He smiles, “It’s queer code. It means this is a safe bar.”
“This seems a little much though, do you really need all these codes?”
“Being a homosexual will net you seven years in prison in this country so it seems pretty adequate.”
“What!? They jail people for that here!?”
“Not just here, in Berk too. Though there it’s only for ‘Aggravated Homosexuality’ which means they caught you ‘in the act’, if you know what I mean.”
“Wow…That’s really fucked up.”
“Right!? Uhum…I mean come on, let’s go. I’m sure we’ll find you a guy that swings both ways there as well.”
“That’s a thing?”
“Oh yeah. Trust me, at least one in ten people do.”
“That many!?”
“Yep but because they have a choice they don’t have to take the risk, so most of them just live like straight people most of their lives.”
“You learn something new everyday…”
Back in the hotel room Sher Aka is reading a new book she bought while Scarlet is taking a nap. But the serene silence doesn’t last long as what sounds like the whimpering of a small dog breaks the silence and wakes up Scarlet.
“What’s that sound?” Sher Aka asks.
“It’s Rose. I think she might be having a nightmare. Shh…It’s okay…”
—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When I wake up, I feel immense dread. I’m shaking, my teeth are chattering and I can’t stop myself from making weird sounds.
“Did you have a bad dream, Rose?”
“S-Scarlet?”
“Yes?”
Seeing Scarlet next to me I give her a tight hug, “I’m sorry! Please don’t leave me!”
Scarlet reciprocates the hug and carefully pets my back, “I will never leave you Rose.”
Tears flow down my face as I continue to whimper, “Please don’t leave me…Please…I’m sorry…”
“Shhhh…I’m here and I won’t leave you.”
Scarlet continues to console me for another ten minutes or so before I fall asleep again.