Dancer
Being in mama’s arms feels so calming. It feels like all my worries slowly fade when I’m with her.
“Hey mama?”
“Yes, dear?”
“Did you know that right before my imprint I was in my uncursed form for a bit?”
“Yes, I heard about it.”
“You know, my tongue was really long then, I could even touch the top of my forehead, can you do that too?”
“You ween wike thwis?”
“Ahahaha, yes. It looks really goofy. I wish I had been allowed to see myself back then too.”
“Oh? Were you not allowed to look at yourself?”
“No…John said it might be dangerous because of the curse on my mind…”
“I see. I wasn’t able to see you myself but I did hear you were very pretty. Scarlet even gave you a nickname.”
“A nickname? What nickname?”
“Libella. It’s a mix of the words for dragonfly and pretty girl.”
“Heh, I like that. It’s a lot cuter than Charcoal.”
“Charcoal? Is that a nickname people gave you?”
“Yep. The adventurers in Berk called me that ever since I almost got burned to death.”
“What!?”
“Yeah, haha. It was my first mission. We were supposed to kill a hurt ruby gnome but I was too careless and got caught in its flametornado. Apparently my entire body was so burned they thought I was already dead when Rayla brought me back. But thanks to the Landmaid’s water healing I was able to survive.”
“Rose…How many times have you nearly escaped death for you to talk so casually about it?”
“I’m not sure. Probably at least five times but I didn’t count. The worst one of them still gives me nightmares sometimes though…”
“If you feel comfortable with sharing…What was the worst one?”
“It was when we were crossing the Skar mountains. I’m not sure if he’s still there but during that time there was a cannibal bandit leader in those mountains called Rookie Killer Rayden. We got caught by him after they shot a volley of arrows at us and destroyed our wagon. When I saw them running down the snowy mountains I knew I was going to die. They were all dressed in the skins of previous victims of theirs and they had this crazed look on their faces. It was like the armies of hell themselves were descending on us…”
“How…How did you survive?”
“I told Rayden an inside joke for Beastfolk.”
“A joke?”
“Yeah. He said the only reason he kills was because it brightens his day, so I offered to tell him a joke and he thought it was so funny he let us go. But without our wagon and still days away from the NU we still nearly froze to death. It was only thanks to Sally that we survived.”
“Who is Sally?”
“They’re a spirit I’ve contracted. They’re always with me.”
“Even now?”
“Yeah, they’re here right now!”
“I see, would it be possible for me to meet them?”
“I’m not sure, let me ask. Could you show yourself to mama, Sally?”
Sally nods then points at me and puts their paws over their eyes.”
“You want me to close my eyes?”
Sally nods.
“Is it because you’re shy?”
Sally nods emphatically.
“Okay, don’t worry I won’t peek. Just poke me when you’re done.”
Sally nods again and I close my eyes.
—-----------------------------------------------------
After Rose closes her eyes the queen looks ahead as a giant ball of fire, with at least a ten meter radius, appears in front of her, slowly shaping itself into a crazed looking burning Salamander the size of Scarlet’s draconic form. Their flames are a deep blue just like Rose’s firebreath and on their forehead burns Ifrit’s symbol.
In the following conversation Rose only hears the Queen’s part of the conversation due to Sally communicating telepathically.
“You must be Sally. Thank you for looking out for my daughter.”
“I cherish her. She is my home and my territory.”
“I see. I’m glad you have such a bond, though if I may ask…From my knowledge, Salamandra's are only mid ranking fire spirits, yet you seem like you’re more than that.”
“Feeding of Dancer’s mana makes me big and strong and she gave me a name. Her Highness is also fond of her and promoted me to be her guard.”
“Is there a reason you call her Dancer?”
“Yes, Dancer is Rose’s title in the spirit world. She has been touched by three Spirit Kings. She is known to the world now.”
“I see…If you are her guard how come she’s still getting into life threatening situations?”
“My orders are to watch over her and only intervene when death is certain. I am not allowed to step in sooner.”
“And why is that?”
“Her Highness Ifrit likes her toys doing interesting things. She only intervenes when the toy is about to break irreparably.”
“So her Highness is watching over her?”
“Dancer is more Spirit than she is Dragon or Elf. But not more than both Dragon and Elf. As such she is kin to us. The Kings watch over all their kin.”
“I understand, thank you Sally. I’m glad we were able to converse. Send my regards to her Highness.”
Sally nods then goes invisible again to the eyes of the Queen.
—------------------------------------------------------------
Feeling Sally poke my cheek I ask, “Are you two done? Can I look again?”
Feeling another poke I assume it’s a yes and open my eyes.
“Do you like Sally, mama? They’re really cute, right?”
“I would not necessarily say cute but they are certainly friendly. But could we continue in Uni? I am more confident in that language than I am in Spirit.”
“Oh! Yes of course, sorry I don’t switch languages on purpose. If you speak to me in Uni I automatically switch back.”
“Is that so? How fascinating.”
“That’s really cool that you speak Spirit though, mama! Scarlet didn’t speak any.”
“That’s because Scarlet doesn’t have much talent when it comes to the spirit side of our ancestry, you however seem very gifted in it. I’m so glad you two all have your own unique talents.”
Hearing a loud knock on the door Melina’s voice interrupts, “Your Majesty, the bath is ready.”
“I see, please come in.”