Dragons? No Thanks, I'm Fine Without

 

The bell tolled, and the axe fell.

The boy looked away as the dragon's head hit the ground, and slowly started making his way through the crowd to leave the execution. It wasn't the sort of event he enjoyed, but it was a law that unless you had a valid excuse for missing an execution, all citizens above a certain age had to attend.

He supposed it was the Empire's way of reminding them that dragon-riders were outlawed. You get caught raising a dragon, and the beast was executed. Meanwhile, the wannabe rider was sentenced to the mines.

The boy didn't know why anyone would want to be a dragon-rider. Dragons were smelly, hot reptiles that weren't good for any sort of labor until they were at least a year old: as they remained small, nimble creatures during that first year. They couldn't even breath fire until they were two, and the window of opportunity to actually get a dragon broken for riding was so short that you literally couldn't do anything else during that short time period. And as a dragon would only bond with one rider, you couldn't just have someone else train the beast for you.

No, dragons just weren't worth the effort. He'd stick with horses, which were legal to own and train.

A stranger bumped into the boy, and he felt something near his coat pocket. Oh, no, I am not getting robbed today! he thought, reaching to make sure his coin purse was still in the pocket as he turned to try and locate the stranger.

His purse was there, but there was something else in his pocket. Extracting himself from the crowd, the boy slipped into an alley between a couple of shops surrounding the town square and pulled the mysterious object out of his pocket.

One look at the little thing, and he knew exactly what it was. "Oh, no. I am not having any part of this," he said softly, shaking his head as he stuck the brown dragon's egg back in his pocket.

He'd be a good citizen, and turn it into the guard, along with a description of the stranger.

It was a good plan.

But as he turned to leave the alley, something struck him, and the boy lost consciousness.

Mythical Creatures I Like

 

1. Will-o-wisps.

2. Dragons.

3. Chimeras.

4. Goblins.

5. Each-uisge.

6. Perytons.

7. Basilisks.

8. Almiraj.

9. Wyverns.

10. Vampires.

A Question of Sleep

 

There are moments in life when one must ask themself the most important of questions: When can I sleep?

Is it acceptable to sleep now, when the night sky is filled with brilliant stars and another watches you with adoration in their eyes?

Or perhaps it is better to sleep while the sun shines, for how else will one keep turn nightmares into the sweetest of daydreams?

Suppose you maintain a schedule for when you shall sleep. Shall you alwats be beholden tobits whims, incapable of resting from your day-to-day cares at any point in time?

Though there remains the possibility that you've abandoned the ideal of sufficient slumber entirely, and now slip from one moment to the next in a state of solemn sleeplessness.

No matter your relationship with sleep (or lack thereof) the question will at some point be asked, and you'll be required to provide an answer.

To Drink Water

 

1. To stay hydrated.

2. You like the taste.

3. Because you can only drink clear liquids at the moment.

4. It's easier than figuring out what flavored beverage you're in the mood for.

5. Your ice is going to melt really fast in this heat, and this means your drink won't be watered down when it does.

6. Because you're taking a break from your typical choice of drink.

7. You're trying to encourage your kid to drink more water, and won't make them attempt something you yourself won't do.

8. Because you like drinking water.

9. You are thirsty.

10. Because that's what you were offered.

The Feline Escape

 

The cat leapt out the door to freedom, heedless of the calls for him to return. He darted arou d the corner, intent on placing as much distance between himself and his keepers as possible.

For he was a cat born to roam, to stalk beneath the trees and terrorize the birds who roosted therein.

But it was dark, and the place he found himself looked nothing like his old haunt.

Where was he? the cat wondered, sniffing the grate that led beneath the house. Nothing seemed familiar to him, and he didn't know where the tastiest birds slept.

He coyld hear one pf his keepers calling dor him, and reluctantly allowed himself to be caught and taken back inside.

He would try for another escape during the day, when more birds would be awake for him to hunt.

Colors I Like

 

1. Silver

2. Mint.

3. Lemon yellow.

4. Green.

5. Gray.

6. Burgundy.

7. Orange.

8. Periwinkle.

9. Chartreuse.

10. Brown.

Deadly Anticipation

 

The anticipation was killing her.

Quite literally, in fact.

But that was the hazard of living in a world where emotions took physical form whenever you dwelt on them. Joy was an exciting friend, always happy to be doing whatever needed doing. Sorrow dragged at your feet, moaning about the gloominess of the day.

And anticipation got so worked up, that it couldn't stand itself anymore. At that point, it would turn on the one feeling it, and ignore the emotions that it caused by its actions.

For the emotions were not affected by other emotions whose source was themselves, unfortunately.

And so she had to run away from her own anticipation until she no longer was feeling it.

Too bad that could be a while...

Tasty Pizza Toppings

 

1. Black olives.

2. Pepperoni.

3. Feta cheese.

4. Bacon.

5. Salami.

6. Sausage.

7. Macaroni and cheese sauce.

8. Garlic.

9. Oregano.

10. Parmesan cheese.

Hungry for Vengeance

 

The children were hungry. Hungry for vengeance.

For they had been wronged, betrayed by the one they trusted the most.

Spot had eaten all of their cookies.

And so, Spot had to be punished for his crimes.

The children gathered together in the backyard, and decided on what would become of the betrayer.

After much deliberation, they came to a decision.

Spot would receive no treats, belly rubs, or good boys for a week.

Such was the price he had to pay for stealing what was rightfully theirs.

Meanwhile, Spot was laying in the sunlit grass. He didn't know what his little humans were doing, but he hoped one of them would want to play later. For Spot loved his little humans, and they had seemed sad for some reason that day. Playing would make them feel better, he knew.