Sisters no matter what
When we get close to the gate again, I turn to the sister and say, “Hey sister, I just wanted to say thank you for everything. We probably won’t ever meet again but I’m still glad I met you.”
She gives me a hug, “Thank you Rose, that is very touching. Please take this with you on your journey. It is an amulet in the shape of our holy symbol. May Holly watch over you wherever you go.”
I put the amulet around my neck, it looks like a green Holly tree full of red berries, and wave the sister goodbye as I leave and the gates close behind me. Scarlet and Rayla are both waiting for me.
“Hey Thoma, how did it go? Did you get an answer?”
“Yes but I think it’s a little too low. Here, you can read it yourself.”
“Crouch down a bit Rayla, I want to see as well.” Scarlet says.
After a bit of time, Rayla whispers, “This is…It’s hard to believe.”
“Right!? Five to seven is way too low!”
“That’s not what I meant. Being a progenitor to a new race…That’s of xxxpolitical importance right?”
“Eh, who cares. As long as she will still be a Dragon it’s fine if she’s a little different. The most important thing is that we have some confirmation now on her age. Now you don’t have to feel bad anymore, Rose.”
“I guess…”
“Do you think you can handle some more big news today, Rose?”
“Is it bad news?”
“Nope.”
“Then sure.”
“Remember the blood work I went to pick up?”
“Yeah?”
“It was actually a test to see if we’re blood related or not.”
“Really?”
“Yep! I haven’t opened it yet, so let’s open it together!”
“Will you…Will you still be my sister if it says we aren’t blood related?”
Raising an eyebrows, she puts her hand on her hip, “Huh? Of course. What a stupid question, I did this test for you not for me.”
“For me? Why for me?”
“Well, you were saying things like ‘we’re not really related’ and that our parents are ‘my parents not your parents’. So I thought if it turns out we’re blood related it will put your mind at ease. If we aren’t though, it just means I have to keep convincing you that it doesn’t matter until you believe me!”
“So, it really doesn’t matter to you?”
“Of course not, if you want me to prove if I’ll burn the results. That way we won’t know and it won’t matter.”
“You’d really do that?”
“Of course!”
I can see her neck glow and swell as she puts the sealed papers to her mouth.
“So? What will it be?”
“...”
“Let’s open it.”
Scarlet's neck then slowly goes back to normal as she answers, “Alright!”
Ripping the sealed envelope open in one fell swoop she hands me the results, “Go ahead, read it out loud.”
“Miss Scarlet,
We are pleased to announce to you that the results came back positive. Despite the polymorphed sample being inconclusive we were able to tell from the draconic blood sample that both of you are sisters by blood. The sniff The guild will update this information sob accordingly…”
“Daaw, there is no need to cry Rose! Come here.” Scarlet says while embracing me in a hug.
“I…I don't sob I don’t even know why I’m crying. It shouldn’t matter but I’m…I’m still so relieved!”
“Pfft, it’s only natural for you to feel relieved…You were so worried about it you even had nightmares over it.”
Noticing Rayla trying to give us some space I instead pull her in as well and give both of them a hug, “I’m so glad I have both of you!”
Rubbing her cheeks again mine, ane answers, “I’m also glad to have you oki. I love you so much.”
“I love you too, ane!”
“I also love you Rose.”
“I know…I’m sorry I can’t say it back yet.”
“That’s fine. I love you regardless, Rose.”
We stay like this for a bit longer until Scarlet asks, “How about we celebrate this day with a nice family dinner tonight? It’s on me.”
“Sure, that sounds great!”
“Then let's go to a bathhouse this afternoon. Rayla, make sure to bring your formal clothing to have it cleaned.”
“Why? Are you inviting me too?”
“Of course, we might not be related but you’re my little sister's big sister, that makes us family. I’m well aware that you two are a package deal so it’s best we get to live as one family as soon as possible. Otherwise it will force Rose to choose one day and that will hurt her.”
“I guess you’re right on that…So what? Should I call you sister now?”
“No, that's a bit much, I get that. How about we start off as cousins?”
“Pfft, sure cuz.”
“Cuz?”
“It’s what we call our cousins in my tribe. It’s quicker than saying the full word.”
“Hmm…I can’t say that I like it.”
“You’ll get used to it.” Rayla says with a smirk.
“Using my own words against me, huh? Nice, we might make a Dragon out of you after all, prima.”
“Prima?”
“It means cousin in our language.”
Rayla's ears and tails droop down, “Sigh I guess I have to learn two languages now…You guys speak the spirit language right?”
“A distant dialect of it, yes. It’s not the same. If I were to speak to a spirit it would probably understand what I’m trying to say but we couldn’t hold a conversation.”
“Would you like to try? Sally is right here.”
I pick up Sally and ask them, “Can you nod if you understand what big sis is saying?”
Sally nods.
“Okay they’re ready.”
“Ready? Hello, I’m Scarlet, I am xxx xxx of the Blaze xxx. I’m xxx to xxx you.”
“Did you get that Sally?”
Sally cogs her head.
“Yeah me neither. It’s pretty hard to understand you like this big sis, neither me nor Sally really understood you all that much.”
“Sorry, I don’t xxx.”
Seeing our miscommunication, Rayla whispers something into Scarlet's ear.
“I didn’t really understand what you were saying, Rose.”
“Yeah me neither. Neither of us understood much from what you said. Your intonations are completely off.”
“Ah, that’s because our language isn’t tonal. But hearing you speak the real Spirit Language so fluently is amazing, Rose!”
“Pfft, it’s no big deal. I didn’t learn it, I just know it. I also can’t freely swap languages until someone talks to me in uni again. It’s a mostly useless skill really but I’m still glad it allows me to talk with the spirits.”
“Even if it’s ‘just’ talent it’s still amazing. You’re extremely talented in so many ways, Rose!”
“Really? Do you…Do you think I could learn how to breathe fire too?”
“Kikikiki Sure! Anything is possible with you. I’ll teach you how to do it when we get back on the road. But just a warning, don’t feel discouraged if you can’t do it. Not to brag but I produced my first flame at a hundred and six and that’s already pretty early for a dragon.”