Ghost stories (epilogue)
Story by fawkesish on SoFurry
At last, the finale epilogue of the Taalli tales.
This is a collection of short stories more than anything else to hopefully give some closure to the wounds I may have caused. Note that these do not happen back to back and many years pass between some of the stories.
A big thank-you to
for editing this one up for me.
PART OF THE TEAM
Taalli perched on the berm at the outskirts of the base, accompanied by Zulu squad. She observed Scarecrow pouring her bottle of whiskey into glasses, passing them around to the rest of her comrades. Her lip quivered when an extra glass was poured and placed near her ghostly black paw.
Riimack cleared his throat upon arriving and took a seat beside her. “It's good they all made it out," he remarked, noting Joker on a folding chair with bandages around his thigh and Kodiak bearing a deep scar on his neck.
Taalli sniffed and nodded. “So, what happens now?" she asked. “I died, but I'm what? A ghost?"
Riimack shrugged slightly. “I guess. I'm still pretty new at this," he confessed. “Maybe we have some unfinished business here?"
Taalli snorted and looked at her mate, his dark sun goggles covering his glossy eyes. “You could say that again. My whole life was one big unfinished mess."
“You and me both," Riimack said sadly. “But what can we do, right?"
“It's bullshit," she said flatly. “Like, I knew I was going to die eventually. I was sick-"
“I know," Riimack said, offering a weak smile. “It was hard to watch. But I was always there."
Taalli frowned. “So wait, I did see you?" she asked, looking back at Keenis when the silver drake nodded. “I thought I was going mad."
“Viina thought the same; she blamed blood loss," he said softly. “I was talking to her when you got to her. You have no idea how happy it made me to see you get her home," Riimack said warmly, watching Taalli continue to gaze at Keenis and her squad. “Without you, she wouldn't be alive."
“Without me, they wouldn't be hurting right now," Taalli muttered.
“Without you, they might be dead. That truck was going to take them out. What you did was-"
“Stupid," Taalli said flatly. “We should have let it pass, called in a strike, I don't know… anything!" she snarled, looking up at the larger drake.
Riimack held her gaze until she looked away. “Taalli, what happened, happened. It sucks, trust me, I know," he said and lowered his head down a few inches to her level. “You did well, with what you had available."
“It wasn't enough," she said sadly.
Lifting his head up, he sighed. “Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Taalli. There isn't a whole lot we can do to change it. I wish it wasn't the case, but we are not gods. We are just ghosts," he said bluntly. It pained him to see her close her eyes, but he knew she was strong enough to hear it.
Taalli finally opened her eyes and looked at her squad, their words muffled but warm as they shared stories of her. Bishop recounted the time that she carried him on her back for the first time, how mad she had looked when he had lost his lunch down her side.
A heavy silence hung over the squad after they chuckled at Bishop's story, each of them taking a sip to distract themselves from her absence.
Taalli watched Keenis closely, his drink untouched in his paw. “He isn't taking it well, is he?" Riimack said sadly.
“We had plans," Taalli mused, “loose plans, but plans nevertheless. I was meaning to tell him I was sick; I was going to tell him when we finished the tour."
“He seemed nice," Riimack added.
"He is," Taalli corrected. "Maybe I shouldn't have fallen for him, controlled myself." Her voice broke before she swallowed and focused. "I was selfish; I knew I was dying, yet I dragged him down with me. I was just…"
Riimack looked at her trembling form and waited. "Just what?"
Taalli cleared her throat and blinked back tears. "I was afraid. My father hurt everyone close to him and is now alone. I didn't want to be like him," Taalli finally admitted, her voice weak and vulnerable.
"I know what you mean," Riimack said softly, finding himself unable to look at Taalli. He scratched his forearm with a paw. "Viina and I, we were planning on maybe trying for an egg once my time was up. The idea scared me at first; I was worried that I might become like my father. But I guess that's not going to happen now."
Taalli gave a sympathetic nod and sighed. "Sorry, it's just when Keenis warmed up to me, I saw a side that wanted to help. When I was with him, he gave me hope. He is an amazing drake, but now look at him; he is dying inside because of me."
"I think that might be why we are still here," Riimack said softly. "I don't really understand it, but it seems when they need the most help… they can see us, and we can try to offer advice. Like I did with you, or when I was able to speak to Viina."
Taalli snorted and shook her head. "So… This is hell then, isn't it?" she asked rhetorically and saw the confusion on his face. "So what? We are just cursed to spend all of eternity watching the ones we love hurt? We have to watch them suffer without us, unable to lend a wing or a paw to help?" she snarled.
Riimack's face remained impassive as she gazed into his deep blue eyes. "I don't see it that way," he said simply. "These people, our family, need our help, and we can be there for them."
Taalli opened her mouth to retort, but he continued, his voice unintentionally rising. "Would you prefer we were flying through the clouds, over green pastures, and playing harps while our loved ones suffer and struggle without us?" he asked bluntly. "Because that is my hell." He snarled, "I've been able to see Viina recover and leave the hospital, witness my sister open her stall every day, watch my brother work, and see my friend find someone who makes her happy again. Would I like to be alive for it? Sure! But now I'll take anything I can get," he exclaimed, finding himself on his feet. He looked away and took a deep breath to calm himself down. "I don't know if this will last forever or if we fade away when they don't need us anymore. But I'll cherish every moment until I can't anymore," he added softly.
Taalli's lip quivered, and her chest tightened at the idea of being gone forever. Turning back, she saw her squad finish their drinks, her bottle now empty.
Scarecrow noticed that Keenis hadn't touched his drink and placed a reassuring hand on the green drake's shoulder before nodding in the direction of the squad's tent.
Taalli stood up and watched as her family helped Joker stand up, with Bishop and Raider on either side of the wounded Marine. With Scarecrow leading, they began to walk back to their tent. Keenis remained on the berm, placing his glass next to Taalli's and looking out over the desert landscape again.
"I think he is going to need you."
"I need him," Taalli replied softly.
With a sigh, the green drake turned and followed the squad back to the tent, his mate walking by his side.
Taalli's eyes watered as she witnessed the squad retrieve an old wooden box from their tent. Her lip quivered in a slight smile as she realized the heartfelt gift they were presenting to their medic. Though Scarecrow's words were muffled, she comprehended the intent. Her heart soared as Keenis nodded and reclined on his back, unfurling a wing across the bed they had once shared.
She lay beside him as the squad took turns with the old tattoo gun, each marking him as one of their own.
FRIENDS AND FIGURINES
Taalli sat quietly in the corner of the cafe, her tail curled tightly around her, a shimmering flask beside her paw. She watched as Mike's former boss worked the coffee machine, allowing Mike to mingle with other guests at her wake. While her ceremony had been a somber affair, she was glad her friends were taking time afterward to heal.
Perched on one of the tables was the small crystal dragon cake topper that Mike had drawn on, her chest tightening as she remembered the day he had colored its paws and wing arms with his sharpie.
Her head turned, and she gave a small smile to Riimack as he approached. “Is this seat taken?" he asked politely and sat down beside her when she shook her head.
“What brings you here?"
“Well, I just had a gut feeling that there was a 'ness that needed me nearby. How are you doing?" he asked, his voice warm and genuine.
“Better," she said simply and lifted her flask to drink some coffee, smiling as it tasted exactly how she remembered it should.
“Wait… how did you-?" Riimack asked, pointing at the flask with a paw.
Taalli smirked and gave him a wink. “Being here, I could smell the coffee that he used to make for me. I really wanted to taste it again, and it kind of just appeared," she explained.
Riimack smiled in realization and looked across the room. “I'm going to try that," he said, spotting his sister amongst the crowd. “Oh good, she came. She had been undecided since Mike invited her."
“She didn't come to the ceremony, but I'm glad she came by for the after-party," Taalli said warmly, watching the dragoness politely listen to Geevin talk about how he knew Taalli. “Reevian is a good egg."
“She doesn't come to the graveyard much," Riimack said sadly. “I think she prefers to pretend I'm still on tour."
Taalli glanced at him and saw the look of longing in his eyes before he blinked and looked around the cafe. “This is a good little spot."
"It's nice, isn't it? Mike made it," she said simply, nodding towards the man. His black business shirt and pants matched the tie he loosely wore. "We were going to run this place together—just him and me, a simpler life once I finished my tour. But I overreacted," she admitted. "Riimack, can I ask you a question?"
She waited for him to look at her and nod before continuing. "Was I a good person?"
Riimack took a deep breath and sighed, "That's not fair," he said softly, with a nervous chuckle. Seeing her stern look, he looked away and around the cafe. "Was Taalli a good person? What makes you think she wasn't?" he asked.
Taalli snorted and adjusted her wings. "I've done so many things I'm not proud of that led me to where I am now. It's just… maybe I'm still here because I wasn't good enough."
Riimack pursed his lips and rocked his head from side to side. "So are you saying that I'm not good enough either? That's why I'm here?"
"That's not—no, forget it."
"Taalli, what you did made you who you are," he tried to explain.
“So, I am a bad person," Taalli retorted. “I made people suffer because I was selfish and stubborn."
With a deep sigh, the drake shook his head. Looking around the cafe, he saw an old black and white picture of an elderly dragon on the wall. “Look at this picture. What do you see?" He asked and waited for her to reply.
“Raaneh, leader of the free scale movement," Taalli said simply and saw the confusion on his face. “He carved the path for dragon independence. Without him, we may still have human owners."
“Right, so, you would say it's a good picture?" Riimack asked and smiled when she nodded. “But, the picture is black and white. So we don't see what color his scales are, therefore I could say it's not a good picture. Right?"
Taalli shook her head. “No, it's black and white because that was all they had," she retorted and cocked her head when he smiled.
“What you are saying is that it can be a good picture, even though it has flaws. Because they did what they could, with what they had?" he asked and chuckled when she started to understand. “There you go. But, if it makes you feel better, I think you're a good person."
Taalli smirked and sighed softly. “Thanks, Riimack. But I made so many mistakes," she admitted and looked at the others in the room.
"Oh, I never said you were perfect," Riimack chuckled. "Remember, you're not in my league," he added with a wide grin.
"You prat," Taalli chuckled and nudged him with a wing as he trotted back to sit next to her. "I distinctly remember you saying I was in your league, but you just didn't want to get in the way of Mike and me."
"Well, I was trying to be a gentle-drake."
"You are a gentle-drake, Riimack. We all knew it," Taalli said warmly. "I know it sounds selfish, but I'm glad you're here."
Riimack nodded in understanding and smiled. "So, who is the purple 'ness?" he asked, gesturing with his snout to the dragon sitting beside Mike.
"Her name is Liiria. She and Mike are a thing now."
Riimack looked at Taalli, trying to read her expression. "And how does that make you feel?" he asked gently.
"She is good for him. I see bits of myself in her," she said and glanced at the silver drake with a smirk. "It took a few days for my obituary to make it into the paper, and I knew he would need someone. So I may have guided her in his direction."
Mike and Taalli's friends left one by one, each one giving a warm hug and words of encouragement to him, promising to help if needed. Eventually, Mike and Liiria were the only ones left in the cafe.
“Are you sure you're okay?" Liiria asked warmly, moving close to wrap a paw around him and hold him close.
Mike tried to think of something witty to say but instead wrapped his arms around her fluffy neck and held her close. With his head pressed against her cheek, he sighed. “I'll be okay," he whispered.
Pulling back, he looked into her green eyes and gave a weak smile. “I promise," he said, moving his hands up behind her jaw, gently caressing the soft white fur that ran down her throat and underside. “Could we not go out tonight? I'm not really feeling social at the moment."
“Of course. Whatever you want, I've got you," she said warmly.
Mike kissed her on the nose and then guided her head onto his shoulder, his arms holding her close as he hugged her again. The weight of her head against his shoulder made him feel safe and secure. “I'm sorry I've been such a mess. I know she was my ex, but-"
“She was your friend too," Liiria interrupted. “It's okay. I would be more worried if you weren't sad."
"Thanks," his voice was vulnerable and muffled as he pressed his lips to her cheek. "I love you," he whispered.
"I love you too," Liiria murmured and nuzzled his cheek. "Um, Mike? Ben gave me something to give to you once everyone had left," she said and pulled back from his embrace. Mike looked at her in confusion as she sat on her haunches and fished an envelope from her harness. "He didn't open it, but I- I think it may be about her," she said and passed Mike the worn, dusty envelope. A proud military marking had been placed instead of a stamp.
Mike's chest tightened, and his hands trembled as he took the envelope. Feeling his legs become weak, Mike moved over to a cushion and looked at the envelope. Turning it over, he could see Taalli's rank and mailbox details as the sender in case it had to be returned.
Liiria followed him and lay down beside him, allowing her shoulder to be used as a backrest while she watched him open the envelope. "Mail can take a few days," she whispered as she saw the letter had been handwritten by a large paw.
"Dear Michael,
I know it has been too long, but I have struggled to find the words that I wanted to say, so I'll start at the beginning.
I don't regret us meeting; being partnered with you at university was some of the best times of my life. While it's easy to blame my parents for everything that happened, I'm truly sorry for the pain I have caused. I understand that you were just trying to help, like you have always been there to help me. You are genuinely a good person, by far too good for me and my family.
It pains me to say this, but perhaps my mother was right. I may be like my sire. I have his paws, his blood, his temper, and his need for control. He always said that if I was the smartest person in the room, I was in the wrong room. He knew that we were all influenced by those we surround ourselves with, and while it pains me to say this, he was also right.
Growing up, my father taught me many things, not all for the better. He taught me the meaning of power and control, for which I am so sorry that I hurt you. This world that I have chosen to be in has changed me; I'm still not sure if it is for the better. Those I trained with have taught me not just how to survive but how to live. My squad is like my new family now; they are a good bunch and treat me like one of their own, which is good.
I'm not sure if this letter will even get to you, given how logistics can be out here. But I wanted to write to say I'm sorry for how things ended between us. You are kind, funny, and loving, and I know you will make someone very happy, just as you did me. So if I can ask of you one thing, it is that you do not change, continue to be the light in someone's life, just as you were in mine.
In regards to my pay, I still don't know what I'm doing. If it's all the same to you, I will keep sending the checks to you. Please use them to build your dreams; consider me a silent investor in your future, and one day I hope to see what you have created and enjoy a coffee with you, but as a friend.
I know I am in no position to ask a favor from you, but if you can check in on Reevian, that would be good. Use my pay to buy her some flowers and make sure she is okay. Her brother got hit, and I hope she is doing okay.
I wish you the best, and I'm sorry again for everything that I've done.
Taalli."
Liiria heard him sniff back a tear as he placed the letter down in his lap with trembling hands. He stayed, leaning against her side in silence. His gaze lingered on the orange crystal statue that he had placed on one of the tables. "She is really gone," he whispered softly.
"I'm sure she would be happy with what you have done," Liiria said warmly, leaning into him to help as he got to his feet again. Her green eyes followed him as he let the letter fall to the ground and moved over to the statue.
Picking up the small statue, he turned it to look into its face, marveling at how the light reflected through it in a dazzling array of ambers and yellows. "Should I send this to her folks?" he asked.
"Do you think she would want that?"
Mike shook his head. "I just don't know what to do," he said weakly, his voice breaking.
Standing up, Liiria walked over and sat down behind him to let him lean against her front again. "Put her on display," she said softly. "I know she meant a lot to you, and in the letter, she said she wanted to visit as a friend."
"Are you sure?" Mike asked and smiled weakly when Liiria kissed the top of his head.
Taalli smiled as her friend carried the statue over to the coffee machine and nestled it among the syrups and cups, keeping it out of view of customers but letting her watch over him.
FEERAH THE FREE
Taalli sat beside and watched over her friend as paperwork was shuffled, organized, stamped, and collated. The older black dragoness' eyes were unfocused while she waited for instructions. "Aaaaand..." the administrator behind the desk said, fishing out a large rubber stamp and slamming it down onto the paperwork with a sense of finality. "Done!"
“That's it?" Feerah asked, a hint of sadness in her voice.
“That's it. On behalf of our nation's people, I want to thank you for your service," the small human said and looked up to her bright yellow eyes. “You're done!"
“I'm done," Feerah repeated, looking around the otherwise empty administration building. A pang of loneliness filled her heart as she sat alone, a glass door with an exit sign now separating her from the world she knew and the unknown.
“What's the plan for 'ness… Feerah?" the man asked, checking the paperwork to make sure he got the name correct.
The black dragoness shrugged, “I really don't know, to be honest," she said and saw his eyes light up. “BUT! I know I won't be re-enlisting, so you can put that pen away," she added firmly. “Since you lot banned fraternizing between dragons, things got pretty boring," she explained.
“Sorry ma'am, but we kept getting incidents where deltas would quit if their partner became K.I.A.," the administrator retorted and saw the black dragoness' eyes narrow. “I mean, losing one dragon is bad enough. Losing two is twice as bad."
Feerah nodded in approval of his recovery and forced a smile. “It's just a shame that it became a blanket policy. So, now I will probably hit up some bars, see what the locals have to offer."
“Ma'am, I am obligated to give all veterans the following flyers on substance abuse and programs that help in the community," he said and slid a stack of glossy papers across to the black dragoness.
“I'll pass. Thanks," she said bluntly. Standing up, she stretched her back and tail, letting out a soft groan as she felt her joints cracking. The thin carpet tiles did more harm to her than the countless sorties she had executed in service of her country.
“Do you have somewhere to stay? We have programs that help service members reintegrate with civilian life."
“Aren't you sweet. Maybe in another life, I would go home with you," she said and saw the man blush bright red.
“That-that's not what I-"
“Oh, but you wish," she teased and gave him a wink. “Feerah the free, eh? I could do anything I wanted," she mused, remembering the nickname her friend had given her. “I think I might do some traveling…" she said softly, her mind drifting to a certain boulangerie in Paris. With a deep sigh, she shook her head. “I'll be okay. My brother has a spare room for me. I hear his boyfriend smokes the most amazing meats on the weekends."
MARKETS AND MEDICS
A chilling breeze swept through the eastern markets, casting an eerie undertone on the wet ground that bore the remnants of a recent storm. Taalli meandered through the bustling marketplace, a sense of unease tightening its grip on her heart.
Closing her eyes, Taalli immersed herself in the marketplace atmosphere—the vendors' calls, the sizzle of cooking, and the lively chatter of patrons. When she opened her eyes, a ghostly drake caught her attention, sitting near a familiar stall. His posture was tense, a bowl of noodles untouched in front of him.
“Fancy seeing you here," Taalli remarked and padded her way over to him.
Their eyes locked, a mixture of emotions playing across his ghostly visage. “What are you doing here?" he inquired.
Taalli shrugged, a shiver running down her spine. “Honestly, I don't know. What's up with this weather?"
Riimack swallowed, his gaze reflecting a deep sadness. “You feel it too? Like a draft of wind going down your back?" He asked and saw her nod. “It's not the weather. I've only felt it a few times before," he said sadly.
“Oh?" Taalli probed and sat next to him. As she waited for an answer, Taalli's senses heightened, a subtle unease prickling at the edges of her ethereal essence. In an attempt to break the tension, she playfully indulged in his unfinished noodles. Humming slightly in bliss as she remembered the way Reevian would mix the spice and sweet sauces together in a perfect blend. With her mouth full, she looked behind her and saw that the stall was closed. “Where's Reevian?" she inquired, her eyes searching for the teal dragoness in the bustling marketplace.
The realization dawned as she noticed the absence of her friend. A cold knot formed in her incorporeal chest.
"She should be home soon; she has had a busy day. How's Keenis and Mike?" he asked, deflecting the gravity of the situation. Yet, his gaze betrayed a truth he dared not voice.
"Mike's with Liiria; they are celebrating finally unpacking the last of his stuff. He moved in with her ages ago, but it took him a while to settle," she said, seeing Riimack smile while focusing across the marketplace. "And Keen bean?" she chuckled, attempting to draw Riimack back to their present reality. "He is just finishing a double shift at the hospital. He has a thing for one of the humans there, but just doesn't know it yet." A fleeting smile crossed her lips, but it vanished when she observed Riimack's continued detachment. "Riimack, what's wrong?"
"You can feel it, right? That feeling, how it's getting stronger."
Taalli adjusted her wings; she could feel it too. She could feel it flowing through her, as if the air was becoming charged with static before a lightning strike. "What does it mean?"
"Something bad is about to happen," he replied. "I felt it when Viina was downed, and again, just before you..." His voice choked as he spotted his sister and her new mate. As Reevian and Neebis neared, their figures painted against the backdrop of the bustling marketplace, Riimack's heart clenched with a desperate plea. "Please, no," he whispered, the words lost in the busy marketplace.
Taalli followed his gaze and saw the teal-colored dragoness walking slowly with a white drake covering her with his wing, a red frill running down his neck. "Riimack! His colors, Viina, is he-" she observed, her eyes drawn to Neebis, momentarily forgetting the impending darkness.
"I know," the silver drake interrupted. "And no, I don't know for sure."
Taalli stood up and trotted over to the couple, turning to walk alongside them. "He looks just like Viina. Who is he?" she said, her gaze pulled from the strong white drake when she eyed Reevian's belly. "Wait, is she-"
"She is," Riimack said, a smile flickering on his snout. "His name is Neebis, and he is good for her. Together they made a company that thrived. They created Grub Wyrm, the one that delivers food from vendors to customers. They just sold it for more money than you could imagine," he said warmly. "Well, maybe you could imagine," he corrected. "The deal was rough, though; they sold their company to Drag'n'Drop, and they always play dirty."
Taalli couldn't help but smile as she saw Reevian sharing an affectionate moment with her mate Neebis. A radiant happiness adorned the teal dragoness, accentuated by the undeniable swell of life within her.
Turning to Riimack, Taalli sensed an unsettling tension that reverberated through their ghostly forms. "She looks so happy," she remarked, her voice carrying a hint of concern, "and big!" The air thickened with an unspoken fear as they both turned their attention back to the couple.
"Are they in danger?" Taalli's inquiry hung in the air, a silent plea for reassurance. Riimack's response came heavy with foreboding. "I don't know. They made the deal, they have the money. But the suits at Drag'n'Drop were not happy." His gaze fixated on the couple as they approached the front door of their apartment, the tension building with each passing moment.
A sense of helplessness settled over the ghostly duo as they watched Reevian separate from Neebis, her steps leading her to the large awning that covered her market stall. The moment hung in suspended animation before erupting into chaos. A fiery maelstrom engulfed the stall, an inferno fueled by propane and accelerants that transformed the once lively marketplace into a scene of devastation.
Riimack and Taalli recoiled instinctively as scorching flames surged through them, a ghostly reminder of their spectral existence. Unfazed by the searing heat, they witnessed the horrifying spectacle unfold. Reevian's limp form was catapulted from the wreckage, her body colliding with a nearby street lamp. The sickening thud echoed in the air, amplifying the heartbreak unfolding before them.
"REEVIAN!" Riimack's anguished cry reverberated through the courtyard as he rushed towards his sister's prone body, his ghostly paws futilely passing through her form.
Taalli shook her head and bounded over, making way for Reevian's mate, who was just as shocked as she was.
Taalli's ethereal form trembled as she beheld the devastating scene in the marketplace courtyard. The air was thick with the acrid stench of burning debris, and the wails of anguish mingled with desperate cries for help. Amidst the chaos, she locked eyes on her dear friend, Reevian, lying motionless. She had seen her fair share of injuries and knew Reevian was not in a good way—her skull clearly fractured, and the crimson blood pooling out of her nose and ears signaled serious injuries under her teal scales.
“P-Please, no, for fuck's sake, no!" Riimack pleaded, his ghostly voice carrying the weight of desperation and sorrow, powerless to stop the life draining out of his dying sister.
Taalli stepped back and looked around the marketplace, feeling lost and helpless once again. Other patrons were running and screaming, some trying to help others affected by the concussive blast. Looking back at her friends, she shook her head. “No, not like this, not today," she whispered, her words barely audible amidst the turmoil. A trembling lip betrayed the depth of her despair. Her eyes flickered to the precious life within Reevian's belly, and she shuddered to think what might have happened to the egg.
Rearing up on her hind legs, she tried to find something that could help, the feeling of helplessness building. She felt like she was in the desert once again, the sense of futility and failure washing through her like a tidal wave. Her eyes widened as she saw a familiar green drake looking around the burning marketplace. “KEENIS!" she shouted and bounded over to him. “Keenis, help her!" she screamed, her face inches from his.
Looking toward where Reevian was lying, he only saw the white drake sheltering her with his wing and turned to look away. “Keenis, we need you!" Taalli bellowed, swiping a ghostly paw through his snout. She watched as he talked into the tablet he had strapped to his wrist. “SHE ISN'T BREATHING!" she cried desperately and gasped when he looked back at the drake huddled over and saw Reevian under Neebis' wing.
A flicker of hope sparked inside her as she watched Keenis dash over to Neebis and Reevian; he shoved the white drake off the prone dragoness and set to work. His voice was muffled as he barked instructions to Neebis to assist him, all while Taalli and Riimack watched on with bated breaths.
“Please don't, please don't die," Riimack begged. “You need to live."
Taalli moved her ethereal wing over the quivering drake. The marketplace courtyard, once vibrant with life, now echoed with the agonized cries of despair. Keenis strained against the looming catastrophe, channeling his magic in a futile attempt to mend the broken dragoness.
"Riimy?" A distant voice pierced the chaotic scene, and Taalli felt the weight of despair settle upon them. "Is that you? What's going on?"
Slowly, the pair turned their spectral heads to witness Reevian's transparent form emerging from the remnants of a market stall, her incorporeal paws navigating the splinters without a hint of pain. "Reev," Riimack gasped, his voice feeble with sorrow, as he rose to face his sister. "No," he added, a thread of weakness weaving through his words.
"I-I don't know what's happening," Reevian whispered, her voice a soft echo in the tragic symphony. Her transparent gaze fell upon her broken body sprawled on the ground, Neebis frantically pressing down on her chest while Keenis, the green drake, applied a desperate paw to her neck. "Am I dreaming?" she questioned, her words hanging in the air like a fragile hope, shattered by the harsh reality of the impending loss.
Riimack stumbled towards her on weak legs and pressed his front against hers, his large paw wrapping around her shoulder to hold her close. “I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry," he whispered, feeling the tremors reverberate through her translucent being.
Taalli stood with Keenis, the air thick with desperation. She lowered her head next to his, tears restrained but anguish evident. "Keenis, if you can hear me, save her, for the love of God, save her. Save her as you would if it were me."
Keenis traced his paw up her neck until a large, gruesome clump of blood and flesh was dragged out of her lungs by his magic. He quickly adjusted his position and placed his paws on either side of her head. Taalli could see his tail drooping, the strain of his gifts taking its toll.
Keenis' body rocked with effort, his magic threatening to plunge him into unconsciousness as he pushed beyond his limits. Taalli, her wing wrapped protectively around her mate, whispered words of encouragement. "You can do it. I've got you."
Reevian, momentarily released from her brother's embrace and gazed into his eyes with confusion. "Why are you sad? We won," she murmured, her words slurring as her ghostly form rippled. "I'm confused. We beat them, Neebis and I. We're going to raise our egg." The bittersweet victory echoed through her fading voice.
Riimack's eyes widened as his sister's body started to shimmer and fade. “What's happening?" Riimack asked and turned back to Taalli, the orange dragoness whispering encouragement into her former mate's ear. “Where did she go?" he asked and stepped closer to Reevian's body.
They all gasped as the teal dragoness on the ground opened a bleary, bloodshot eye, her chest rising and falling weakly. “That's my drake," Taalli cheered, her smile fading as she heard the deathly rattle of Reevian's breathing, her lungs filling back up with blood.
Keenis, gripping the weakened legs of the teal dragoness for support, maneuvered around her belly with practiced urgency. With skilled precision, he cut through her hide, extracting a soft, incomplete egg. Passing the fragile creation to Neebis, the green drake issued a stern warning to keep it warm. Their collective gaze turned skyward as emergency lights bathed the marketplace in an ominous glow.
Dragon paramedics descended swiftly, their presence casting an eerie silhouette against the chaos below. Riimack, now closer to Taalli, watched with a mixture of fear and hope. Keenis barked orders, their paws moving urgently over the injured dragoness in a desperate dance to save her.
"Will she make it?" Riimack whispered, his voice a fragile plea in the face of uncertainty. Taalli, her eyes locked on the unfolding drama, responded with a mix of despair and hope. "I don't know. She's lost so much blood," Taalli said, her words hanging in the air like a fragile thread. "But she isn't fully gone; that's a good sign," she added, trying to infuse hope into the shadows of despair.
"The egg," Riimack observed, his gaze drawn to the unfamiliar creation cradled in Neebis' claws. "I've never seen one like that."
"It's just a little premature," Taalli replied, her voice carrying a mixture of reassurance and the weight of uncertainty. In her eyes, she could witness the fear etched into Riimack's gaze. "It can happen," she added softly, knowing that many premature eggs failed when laid and praying that this one would make it.
With solemn determination, Keenis and the medical drakes delicately moved Reevian onto a stretcher, securing her fragile form to their harnesses. Her body hung limp, but her one good eye locked onto the ghostly pair of dragons. As the paramedic dragons took flight, Riimack and Taalli soared beside them, their transparent wings effortlessly catching the currents as they served as ethereal escorts to the impending struggle at the hospital.
"It's okay; you're going to be okay," Riimack assured, his words a delicate lifeline extended into the unknown. Uncertain if she could hear, he spoke to her nonetheless. "You're going to be a great mother. I know it."
Reevian drifted between the realms of consciousness, her journey to the hospital a surreal dance between agony and weightlessness. Time lost its meaning as she glided effortlessly next to her brother and Taalli, the boundaries of minutes and hours blurring into a haze.
Jostled on the stretcher, Reevian's senses were assaulted as the paramedics touched down on the landing pad of the towering hospital. Transferred from one bed to another, she was wheeled inside, the harsh brilliance of bright lights searing into her delirious gaze. "I was flying," she mumbled, a fleeting memory of freedom lingering amidst the chaos of her reality.
Reevian's vision blurred as a whirlwind of medical professionals swarmed around her, their urgency palpable in the frantic shuffle of footsteps and the sharp commands echoing in the sterile environment. Needles and tubes intruded upon her senses, probing and prodding as she lay vulnerable on the sterile hospital bed. Looking up at the bright operating lights, she squinted; behind the cluster of harsh lights lingered a figure of a dragon—her brother watching over her.
Like Father Like Daughter
Kaarak stepped out of the automatic hospital doors and onto the street, feeling the weight of his dying body as the chilling dawn air brushed against his faded black scales. The city streets were just waking up; the only vehicles on the road belonged to those who worked through the night. Pausing on the pavement, he retrieved a new bottle of pills from his pocket. The hospital had prescribed them after his collapse at work the previous night, a harsh reminder that his days were numbered. The loneliness of the hospital room had haunted him—no one visited, no one sent flowers. Why would they?
As his trembling claws held the bottle, he hesitated, staring at its contents. Since Leena had left, swallowing these pills had become increasingly difficult. The temptation to surrender to his condition, to let it consume his weakened body, gnawed at his mind. He rattled the bottle gently, the clinking sound of the large, uncomfortable pills echoing like a mournful melody—a constant soundtrack to his fading existence. He blinked a few times, his vision blurred, one eye still bearing the scars of the day Leena had, rightfully so, lashed out at him. The bitter irony of her inherited black paws, which had caused him more pain than his deteriorating health.
Kaarak picked out a pill, rolling it over in his black paw before tossing it down his throat and swallowing it with a grimace. The capsule descended his throat, a reminder of the reality of life that was also hard to swallow. His gaze shifted to the sky, only to be greeted by the faint glimmers of dawn's arrival—a muted dark gray mirroring his own dull scales. The rumble of a passing truck jolted his attention back to the street below, a black dump truck emblazoned with the logo of Kaarak's own company.
His thoughts began to drift, pondering which project the truck was destined for. Since his daughter's disappearance, he had immersed himself in his work, using it as a refuge from the accusations the police had thrown his way. However, the more he delved into his work, the more it affected those in his employ.
Despite the police suspecting him of foul play and alleging Leena's murder, no evidence was ever uncovered. After an exhaustive investigation, authorities reluctantly concluded that Leena, like many troubled college students, may have succumbed to the burdens of life, possibly meeting a tragic end, perhaps even finding herself submerged in the river's depths.
Kaarak clung to the diminishing hope that Leena was still alive. While the charges against Mike had been dropped, thanks to a video Leena had recorded on her last night, Kaarak ensured that the police would maintain their suspicions. Abandoning the charges against Leena would only intensify suspicions regarding his involvement in her disappearance. Yet, a more significant motive propelled his actions—the longing for her safety. If she was indeed alive and in distress, he believed that the police would have no choice but to bring her back to him. Day after day, he was fueled by fantasies of rescuing her from the perilous situation he believed he had inadvertently placed her in.
From the ground outside the hospital, Kaarak's gaze lifted towards the spires dominating the city skyline—an imposing testament to the impact he had on the city. "What I would give to see either of you again," he whispered to himself, his voice laced with longing. His eyes shifted to the northernmost spire, where memories of his wife resurfaced. She had left him after one of his fits of rage, every encounter with her a haunting reminder of Leena and the irreparable damage caused by his explosive temper. The sounds of her final departure reverberated in his mind, a constant echo of loss and regret.
With Leena gone, he had tried to reach out to his assistants. The many 'nesses he had burdened with his progeny; one by one, each had rejected his offers of wealth and support, opting for a lifestyle beyond his toxic grasp.
A shiver coursed through his entire body, shaking him out of his thoughts. He briskly shook his head, as if trying to dispel the memories. Glancing up and down the street, he saw the growing traffic, countless people already hurrying to their workplaces. With a sigh, he rose to his feet and began walking toward the marked launch area on the side of the road.
Without pausing to check for any landing dragons, he stepped onto the designated spot and unfurled his wings. Inhaling deeply, he swallowed the lump in his throat, the sound of passing cars and trucks merging with the turbulence of his emotions. Briefly contemplating pulling out his navigation light, he decided against it, knowing that the sun would soon rise.
Crouching and readying himself on his hind legs, a flash of vibrant orange caught his attention from across the street. Frozen in mid-motion, his legs poised to launch him skyward, he stared in disbelief. Slowly, his head tilted, revealing the bright, familiar orange dragoness. Her black paws were neatly placed together as she sat with her tail curled tightly around her. Her large wings were tightly folded at her sides in a regal pose. Her piercing amber eyes bore into Kaarak's, searing into his soul.
"Leena?" he uttered, his voice trembling with a mixture of disbelief and overwhelming emotions. His body tensed as he fixated on the dragon across the road. "LEENA!" he called out, his voice a desperate plea, as he dove into the road towards her.
The screech of tires sliced through the air, diverting Kaarak's eyes to the side. His gaze locked onto the imposing grille of a black construction truck, looming larger and larger in his vision until his world was engulfed in silence and chaos. In an instant, his once-dominant presence was reduced to nothing more than a limp, lifeless form as the truck plowed into his body with brutal force.
The street blurred in a whirlwind of disorientation, the rough texture of the black asphalt pressing uncomfortably against his head. Every fiber of his being yearned to rise, to stand on unsteady legs and defy the odds, but his body refused to comply. The panicked screams of pedestrians rushing to his aid reached his ears as muffled echoes, their urgency fading into the background of his deteriorating consciousness.
His limbs felt heavy, as though made of lead, but with painstaking effort, he managed to roll himself over, each movement easier than the last. Gradually, his form began to cooperate, inch by painstaking inch, until he finally rose onto his feet. As he stood, the flash of pain that he felt was gone, along with the dull ache of his illness. Gazing toward the truck that had collided with him, his eyes widened at the aftermath of the impact. The front of the truck was crushed, its distorted metal twisted and folded like paper. The driver emerged from the cab, stepping down to the road, seemingly unharmed, and circled around to assess the damage.
"You hit me!" Kaarak snarled, his voice laced with fury, his lips pulling back to expose his menacing teeth. He caught sight of the familiar logo of his own company emblazoned on the driver's shirt. "Do you have any idea who I am?" he spat out, his head swiveling around when a soft, familiar voice wafted through the air beside him.
"They can't hear you," Leena spoke softly, her voice carrying an ethereal quality that resonated deep within Kaarak's soul. Her amber eyes sparkled with understanding as she gracefully padded her way across the road, gliding through the gaps in the cars without once judging their distances. He swallowed hard at her confidence as she drew nearer to him.
The truck and its driver swiftly faded from Kaarak's mind, his heart pounding with a potent blend of astonishment and disbelief. "Leena! You're back!" he exclaimed, his mind struggling to reconcile the overwhelming flood of emotions.
"Of course," she replied, her voice a gentle whisper laced with a melancholic undertone. "Sometimes you need help with the tricky bits," she added, offering him a sad, knowing smile.
Kaarak's gaze followed Leena's movements intently as she gracefully circled around him. She had transformed into a larger, more formidable version of herself—stronger and fiercer than he could have imagined. Her lithe muscles rippled beneath her vibrant orange scales, without an ounce of fat. He couldn't help but feel a tinge of intimidation, realizing that the once small and vulnerable Leena had grown into a force to be reckoned with. Her eyes, still possessing that piercing amber look she had inherited from her mother, darted up and down his body as she assessed him with a judgmental gaze that sent a pang of vulnerability through his heart.
"I... I don't understand. How?" Kaarak's voice wavered with a mix of confusion and awe.
Leena came to a stop in front of him, gracefully sitting down on the road. Her black paws and orange body gave her an almost traffic cone-like appearance as she tucked her wings tightly against her form. "You should have told me you were sick," she stated matter-of-factly.
Kaarak's brows furrowed in response to her statement. "Why? Would it have changed your mind? Would you have stayed?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of desperation.
Leena shook her head, her gaze never leaving him. "No," she replied, her voice void of emotion. "But it would have saved me a great deal of pain and confusion," she added, lifting one of her black paws to inspect her sharp claws.
Understanding washed over Kaarak, his eyes widening with regret. "I'm sorry, Leena. Truly, I am. There is so much I should have done differently," he confessed, his voice quivering with remorse. "Is that what you wanted to hear?" he asked, his tone heavy with sadness.
Leena let out a weary sigh and shook her head. "No. But is that what you needed to say?" she asked, smiling slightly as he nodded.
An awkward silence enveloped them, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavily in the air. Deep down, Kaarak knew that if he looked down, he would see his broken body. But he didn't want to spoil this precious moment with his daughter, choosing instead to keep his gaze fixed upon her. "So what happened to you? Where did you go?" he asked softly, his glossy green eyes locked onto hers.
Leena held his gaze with a sense of confidence. "I helped people," she replied bluntly. "I found purpose amidst the chaos. I discovered a new family, and together, we helped to save people from being oppressed," she explained, a hint of intrigue creeping into her voice. "It wasn't easy, but I had no other choice but to throw myself headfirst into it. It's why we are here, I think. To help... But that's a whole other story," she added, her words trailing off, leaving a sense of unfinished tales and untold adventures lingering in the air.
Kaarak nodded in understanding, his gaze filled with a mix of longing and apprehension. "Any hatchlings?" he asked, his voice tinged with a touch of hope, yearning to know if his lineage would continue through Leena.
Leena turned her eyes towards the bustling hospital, a somber expression on her face. "It's a small world, isn't it? I found a drake, very sweet, a doctor too. Mother would have been so proud," she mused, a faint smile tugging at her lips. Her words sparked a flicker of curiosity in Kaarak's eyes, eager to hear more.
"Probably would have had eggs with him too, if things were different. He works here," Leena continued, gesturing towards the hospital. "He is kind and sweet, he could even do magic to heal people. In a way, today is quite ironic, really," she added, her voice carrying a hint of sadness.
Kaarak followed her gaze, witnessing the hospital staff emerging from the building with a heavy stretcher meant for his lifeless body. His heart sank. "How is it ironic?" he inquired, a mix of uncertainty and trepidation shadowing his words, unsure of what would happen if his body was taken away from her.
Leena's eyes grew moist as she met her father's gaze, offering him a sad smile that held the weight of their fractured bond. "He could save you... Not from your condition, but from the crash. He wouldn't hesitate either," she murmured softly, her voice laced with regret. "He is good like that."
Hope sparked within Kaarak, his weary soul clinging to the possibility of living. "So, will I get to meet him? Will he save me?" he pleaded, the flicker of optimism quickly replaced by a pang of despair as he watched her shake her head.
"Today is his day off. He is taking his human girlfriend to meet his family," Leena replied, her tone heavy with sorrow. "And we all know how stressful that can be."
Kaarak's head dropped in guilt; he could see his broken body below him. His once-mighty form was now a twisted wreck of regrets, with his neck snapped at a horrific angle, wings mangled and broken, and scales torn off by the unforgiving asphalt. Gazing down upon his fractured self, he struggled to recognize the dragon he once was. "So I guess we are finally together now?" he whispered, the weight of realization sinking into his soul, acknowledging the painful truth that his daughter was also dead.
Leena's translucent form shimmered with a soft glow as she gently shook her head. "No, that's not how this works," she said, her voice carrying a tone of wisdom. "We linger because there are those here who need us, who require our presence."
Kaarak's gaze shifted from his daughter's radiant orange scales to his own ethereal form, a semi-translucent shadow of his former self. "The doctor?" he mused, his eyes flickering towards the imposing silhouette of the hospital.
Leena nodded softly, a touch of sadness coloring her eyes. "Yes, he's one of them," she confirmed, her voice tinged with a mixture of longing and regret, her thoughts dwelling on the dragon doctor whom she had loved briefly and the painful memories of the choices she'd had to make to get where she now was.
Kaarak's curiosity sparked once again, his voice filled with a mix of surprise and disbelief. "The human?" Kaarak said and saw her lip twitch at his remark, "Michael? I mean Mike? After all this time? Have you seen him since he was arrested?"
A melodic chuckle escaped Leena's lips, a sound that carried both warmth and nostalgia. "Of course! I visited him a few times, maybe not as many as I should have," she replied, her voice filled with a bittersweet blend of affection and sadness. "I helped him go on to make great things. He is his own boss now, making coffee and helping others."
Kaarak forced a weak smile, capturing a fleeting glimpse of his daughter's happiness, his heart burdened with remorse that tore at his very core. His voice trembled as he mustered the courage to utter the words that had haunted him for so long. "Is there anything I can do to make this right?" he pleaded, watching as Leena's ethereal form gently shook her head, a gesture brimming with sorrow.
A surge of frustration welled up within Kaarak, mingling with the anguish that consumed him. "So, are you here just to gloat?" he uttered, his eyes betraying the turmoil within.
Leena rose gracefully, her spectral figure standing tall and serene. With a sense of calm resolve, she leaned closer to her father. "I wanted you to understand; you were correct," she said. But as his eyes lit up, she added, "But you were not right."
"I'm confused," he said, observing the hospital staff moving his body into the trolley, drawing a sheet over his broken form.
Leena extended a gentle inky black paw and placed it on her father's dull gray shoulder. "Do you remember what you told me at my graduation?" Her voice carried a touch of sternness.
Kaarak's mind drifted back to that day, the memories of his harsh words clawing their way to the forefront. "Leena, I... I'm sorry. I said so many horrible things to you, I can't remember exactly," he admitted, his voice laced with remorse.
Interrupting him with a firm tone, Leena stated, "Try harder, Father. Can you recall what you said about where I'd end up, without you?"
The memory pierced Kaarak's heart as he recalled his callous statement. "I said you would be managing traffic for no pay. The extent of your influence would be who can pass and who should stop..." His voice trailed off, his gaze shifting towards the truck that had failed to stop in time.
Leena's black paw offered a comforting rub on his shoulder, a bittersweet gesture. "Well, you got that correct," she responded, her voice heavy with sadness. "A few times, actually," she added, her words sinking deep into his soul.
Shivering, Kaarak mustered the strength to meet his daughter's gaze. "Leena, I need you to understand. I am genuinely, so very sorry," he confessed, his paw trembling as he held onto hers.
"It doesn't matter if you are sorry," Leena replied with a tinge of detachment. "What you did... happened. You knew it was wrong when you did it, and now you can't undo it. Sometimes when you break things, you can't rebuild them," her words hung in the air.
Desperation crept into Kaarak's voice as he asked softly, "So what happens now? Can I stay with you?"
Leena gently withdrew her paw from beneath his, severing the tangible connection between them. "No, Father, this is where your story ends. Everything has to come to an end; eventually, the words run out," she uttered softly before turning around and walking away from him, her large wings still tucked close to her sides.
Gazing down at his fading spectral form, his physical body being moved back to the hospital on the trolley. Kaarak felt a sense of dread, fear gripped his heart as he asked, "Is it terrifying?" His voice weak as he looked to her for help.
"I don't think so, no," she said and looked back at her father's scared face. "But it doesn't matter. Everyone has to do it eventually."
Kaarak's body shuddered as a tear ran down his ghostly snout. "If it doesn't matter, can you stay with me for a bit? Just until it's over?"
Leena gave a weak smile. "Sure," she said and padded back towards her father. Turning around, she sat down next to him, his trembling ethereal body dissolving as she extended a wing over him.
Kaarak sighed, his lip trembling as he looked down at where his paws once were. "Can you tell me about your day? What are your plans now?"
Pausing, Leena glanced back, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and resolve. "It's a new day. It's almost dawn. People will be waking up and making their way to their jobs. But me? I think I'll just hang out at a coffee shop," she said, her words carrying a surreal quality. As Kaarak's form continued to fade, his eyes filled with fear. "Just relax, Dad. There is nothing you can control now," She reassured, her voice a gentle whisper in the void. With a final glance, she watched as his form dissipated into nothingness, leaving her.
REGULARS
"Nuut, got yours here," Mike's voice resonated through the bustling coffee shop, his hand raised high, gripping the large gray metal flask in one hand and a black flask in the other, both filled with aromatic coffee. Amidst the crowd, a medium-sized gray dragon with a pristine white chest stepped forward, a smile illuminating his scaled face.
Mike confirmed the order, his voice laced with warmth, "Quad caramel latte with extra cream, and a dark and dangerous brew for your partner." Thankfully, dragons often bought flasks that matched the color of their scales, so he knew he had the right one.
Nuut extended a paw with graceful elegance to claim the steaming beverage. His voice carried a note of excitement, "That's me!" Grateful for the gesture, Mike handed over the flask of coffee, their eyes meeting briefly in a silent exchange of gratitude before he returned to attend to the next order.
“And Mr. Siigma! I've got yours too," Mike called out, screwing the lid onto a large white and gray flask filled with pure black coffee. “Still torturing the fledglings?" he added with a chuckle. The drake had recently started frequenting his cafe after taking a job at the prestigious private school nearby.
An imposing-looking drake stepped forward, a stern expression on his snout and eyes that seemed to pierce into Mike's soul. “If I don't, I will have a stroke, reading the dribble they produce," the English teacher said firmly, the hint of a smile curling at his snout.
“Well, don't go too hard on them." Mike added and gave a polite nod goodbye to the educator.
As he glanced at the docket on the gleaming coffee machine, Mike deftly adjusted the knobs, coaxing the espresso machine to life. The contraption whirred and hissed, sending plumes of steam into the air as it heated the water and frothed the milk. His skilled hands defied the chaos around him as he deftly balanced a leaf-green flask, tailored to another dragon's scales, beneath the swirling mechanisms. In that moment, his gaze instinctively rose, drawn to the orange crystal sculpture perched atop the machine. Hidden from view of the customers, the crystal dragoness figurine watched over him as he worked. Its orange crystal body shone in the lights of the cafe, its paws and wing arms colored in with a black sharpie.
As the large green flask slowly filled, Mike noticed that the label was starting to peel. He reached under the machine to a roll of new labels and swapped them for the owner. Branding was important when starting a new business, and he took great pride in seeing dragons on the street with flasks proudly displaying the 'Claws on Coffee' logo. The simple graphic of two black paws holding a hot cup of coffee stood brightly on every flask he filled, the orange sticker standing out.
After the flask finished filling, he closed the lid to keep the heat in and glanced at the docket. Noticing the long list of additional items the customer had ordered, he smiled. Grabbing a set of tongs, he clicked them twice for good measure and started pulling the hot breakfast items out of the heated glass cabinet, placing them into individual bags. Glancing down at the docket, he recognized the name of one of his regulars.
"Need a hand getting these into your harness?" Mike called out over the counter, startling the customer out of his thoughts. "Keenis, you okay, buddy?" he asked as he saw the green dragon snap out of his daydream.
"Sorry, I was on the other side of the world," Keenis said with a weak smile. "Yes, please," he added, lowering himself down to the ground. Mike collected all the toasted sandwiches and pastries and came around from behind the counter.
Mike connected the flask to the green dragon's harness before unbuckling the large strap that kept the pouch closed. As Mike looked into the dragon's pouch, something caught his eye. "You never told me you had hatchlings?" Mike said, reaching in to make room for the food.
"What? I don't," Keenis said, turning to see what Mike meant. Between Mike's fingers was a small orange Lego brick. "Oh! No, that's... That's from something else," Keenis said. Mike saw his eyes go slightly wider, and he focused on putting the food in the pouch while still holding onto the brick.
As Mike finished, he noticed Keenis' eyes still fixated on the small orange trinket in his hands. Sensing an unspoken connection between the dragon and the Lego brick, a gentle smile graced Mike's lips. "I'll tuck it into the side," he offered, placing the brick back into the pouch alongside the food.
The green dragon's smile widened appreciatively. "Thanks, it's silly but means a lot to me," he confessed, a touch of vulnerability lacing his voice.
Perceiving the depth of sentiment behind his words, Mike's expression softened, understanding the weight of such tokens. "It's okay, I know exactly what you mean," he replied, his thoughts drifting to the small orange statue adorning his coffee machine. Nestled amongst the large bottles of syrup, she was out of view of the customers and a constant reminder of his own bittersweet memories.
I want to thank you all for coming along for the ride, letting me fill your hearts and minds with dragons, coffee and noodles.
If you have made it this far with Taalli, well done. This whole journey started because of one comment by :iconDrakenblade117: who wanted to know if we would get a story about Taalli's back story. Little did either of us know that it would spin out to be 4x series and 314k words.
If I have left you wanting more, I recommend giving Medi-drake a read or a re-read as it may feel different now you know Taalli's story.
While this may be the cannon end for Taalli's story, watch out for a story or two on Christmas day as sometimes miracles happen.
As for Mike and Liiria, Well, you will just have to wait and see.
And finally, a big thank-you to :iconNutRaisins: , :iconVer123: , :iconMistersigma: for proof reading, editing and deciphering my dribble.