Lirin is the one to spin me around, lift me in his arms, and carry me up the stairs and out of the water. We end up in the kitchen where I’m slowly stripped out of my clothes and wrapped in a robe that feels like fur. I stroke it and purr in delight.
Leaf guides me into the lounge and pulls me down next to him, while Brio kneels beside me and pops morsels of food into my mouth.
The flavour explodes with cheesy, melting goodness. I was going to ask what they are, but every time I open my mouth, another piece is placed against my lips. They are hot and delicious and now one of my favourite things to eat.
“One night, I want to try this dish called tuna mornay,” Lirin says conversationally. “I saw it on a cooking show.”
I frown. “What is a tuna mornay?”
“It’s a cheese, tuna, white sauce dish with corn, and you put it on pasta. Or bake it in a casserole dish.”
It actually sounds really nice, but then I am discovering one of the best parts of living with humans is their incredible ability to create delicious food.
“That does sound good, but I want to try a BLT. I’m still not exactly sure what it is, but it looks amazing,” Reed says.
“I want to see the oceans here. We haven’t had a chance to explore, and there is so much to see.”
A pang hits me hard. I won’t be able to go with them. They belong in the oceans, and I don’t.
“What about you, Leaf?”
My dragon grumbles a sound. “I want to see Mei free.”
There’s a heavy silence.
Free. Not hunted. I inhale deeply, just thinking about it.
What would that look like? What could I do? If I were free, what food could I eat, and what places could I explore?
“Yeah, that’s a good one,” Brio agrees. “But I still would like to see one of these human symphonies.”
There’s a future here for us, for all of us. I try to imagine it, and it comes so easily. We will be like nomads travelling the world, learning everything and fighting monsters. We would see all the sights, and listen to all the music, try all the food.
One thought comes to me stronger than all others, and I say it before I can think it through.
“I want to have a barbecue with Becky.”
“What?” Lirin shrieks, outraged. “Them? What about me?”
“You all have to be there, too. All of us, and Diablos and Hartley. Like…friends. Like family.”
Reed squeezes my ankle and strokes it gently in a soothing caress.
“You can have anything you want, Mei. We’ll see it done. Somehow.” Canto gets up and comes closer, his calm confidence suddenly makes me sure that it’s possible, that anything could be possible.
He kneels before me, and before I can protest, he’s got something that smells wickedly sweet pressed against my lips.
“What is that?” I murmur and dart my tongue out, touching it.
“This is chocolate.”
I open my mouth, and he pops it in. It’s hard but soft, and it melts in my mouth. The flavour is unlike anything I’ve ever tried. I want more of it.
He hands me another one.
“This one has strawberry filling.”
I groan when the creamy liquid spills from the chocolate.
