The Red Dragon

Chapter Five:

Charlotte’s POV:

I look down at my bed and sigh at the millions of items spread all over for my trip. I then look down at my suitcase and almost laugh at the lack of space. I have far too much for the size of the bag, but how does one even begin to pack for a reunion with family you haven’t seen since you were a child? Do I pack my most conservative shirts and avoid all the dresses that come above the knee? Will my parents’ think I am a prude if I do that? I know the Dragon Land is much more humid than here, but I can hardly remember whether it was hot enough to not pack my sweaters, or if jeans would be fine to wear. I sigh again and decide which items to put in the bag.

Two pairs of jeans.

A few shirts.

My favorite three dresses.

A denim mini skirt.

A pair of shorts.

Underwear.

Toiletries.

A bottle of coffee. Don’t judge, the Dragons prefer herbal teas or alcohol and I cannot imagine the next few weeks with absolutely no caffeine.

I swing the bag closed and zip it up, barely closing the flap and smiling at my achievement. I stand and look at my room, which is covered in unchosen items of clothing. This can be my future problem, I shrug. I lift the handle of the bag and pull it down the stairs, quickly switching off the lights and geyser at the power switch as I walk down. I lay the bag down neatly next to the television cabinet and then reach to open one of the drawers. I watch as the bright red glass shines from under the white, satin cloth. I haven’t opened this drawer in years and I have never had the use for the stone until now. My mother gave it to me when she left me with the humans. Apparently, it was a gift from one of the witches and will allow me to teleport straight into my old bedroom. All I have to do is hold it and imagine my old home. I frown as I look down at the stone. What if my room is no longer mine anymore? I hold one arm out onto my bag and then slowly lift the ruby stone, gasping at the tingling sensation vibrating onto my skin. I see how the shades of red swim and swirl in patterns before my eyes. I could almost become so lost in how it calls for me.

“Right, no use wasting time anymore.” I whisper out, feeling my heart jolt in silent anxiety. I haven’t been home in so long. Do I really want to go back there? I feel my spine shivering in anticipation of the humid air. I quickly shake my head and scold myself for being such a pansy. Come on, Charlotte!

I close my eyes and allow my imagination to take over, as I think about my childhood bedroom. I feel a burning sensation in the palm of my hand but push through it. Bright pink walls splash against the walls in blushing delight, as daisies swirl in ribbons across the top. Each daisy is a different shade of color, only creating more rainbow delight to the space. The soft, plush carpets balance against the bright wall and offer serenity as it boasts a proud and neutral beige. The bedpost, along with the furnishings are all a white-wash pink, creating gentleness in the room to subdue the walls again, but the finishes of the room also become playful and vibrant again. I feel the burning of my hand subside and open my eyes. My eyes look open to the bottles of perfume spread out against the white vanity of my childhood. The bottles were there when I was a child, waiting for me to grow up and use them. I look to the side and notice my old fairy-tale books stacked on the bedside table, where I left them so many moons ago. With a few steps closer to the vanity, I notice how there are still pictures of me laughing and playing with my family in days which were far more carefree and when I actually used to be part of the family. A day before they all realized I had no dragon and became the embarrassment of the land. I open my tiny wardrobe and my fingers pinch the many dresses adjourning the rails. They all look around my size and are embellished with frills, florals and are floor length. My eyebrow raises at the style. It’s not really me, but oh well. I move on to the bathroom and notice that it has been kitted out with herbal soaps and all sorts of hygiene products. The white towels are fluffy and warm. Were they expecting someone soon? I turn back to my room and see that everything is still the same. Even the giant, bay window is still bright and inviting, making me smile in nostalgia. I move closer to the beaming window and slowly pull at the curtain, allowing the full glory of Dragon Land light to soar through the glass. My skin tingles as the sun rays hit against my cool, human skin and I feel my pores opening up to the welcoming humid air. I sit on the bay and look out the window, taking in the beauty of the garden, which is even more vivid and graceful than I ever imagined. A large fountain becomes the heart of the garden, where water bounces and dances in rhythmic sequences. A stoned pathway weaves in between the thousands of wild-flower beds that pop amongst the deep, red roses. In the distance is just rows, upon rows, upon rows of the forest, which silhouettes far into the horizon. My eyes shine at the natural beauty of the Dragon Land and I cannot stop my lips from curving into a smile. The Human Land is my home, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t breathtakingly gorgeous here.

I hear a knock on my door, bringing me out of my own tranquil paradise at the window.

“Come in.” I shout from my seated space. I hear the door swinging open and my sister comes dancing into the room squealing and giggling.

“You came! You came! I knew you would come!” Lucille screams, her face completely taken over with bright smiles, making me roll my eyes and laugh. She edges closer to me and pulls me into a big hug, almost as if we were the best of pals.

“Hi, Lucille.” I smile out, holding her close. Even if I don’t agree with everything she did or didn’t do, I still miss my sister. She forms most of my best memories of my childhood and it isn’t entirely her fault that my parents sent me away.

“Oh Char, it’s so good to see you! It feels so weird to have you home. I hope you don’t mind, I stocked up your bathroom and put in some new towels. The old ones were a bit dated.” Lucille says, her yellow orbs searching my ones. I smile at her but lift my eyebrow.

“How did you know I was going to actually come?” I ask, causing Lucille to laugh out.

“Oh, come on, Charlotte. I know that curious mind of yours. I bet your brain has been wrapped up trying to figure out what’s been going on over here since I left.” She laughs out, moving to straighten some of the blankets on my bed. I think about the last few days and how all I could think about was why the Dragons seem to be so uneasy. I guess she is right. Lucille notices me thinking and stops fiddling with my things.

“It will be dinner time soon. I lay out some of my old dresses in the wardrobe for you, but no pressure. Mom and dad know you have arrived and said they will see you at supper?” Lucille says awkwardly. My parents know I have arrived and haven’t even come to greet me? I feel my insides turning as anxiety mixed with a bit of irritation slowly swims through my veins. I only nod back at her, making her tilt her head at me.

“It is awkward for them too, Charlotte, but can we at least try and have a good time and maybe build new memories?” Lucille asks. It is almost as if she can read my mind, but what does she know of the abandonment I faced. I sigh.

“Look, I can’t promise to be perfectly fine all the time. I was abandoned, Lucille.” I begin to say, Lucille’s expression slowly dipping into sadness.

“But I am happy to be here again and I am happy to see you after so long.” I finish, offering Lucille a small smile. My words slowly cheer her up and she pulls me into a hug again, her eyes slightly moist with emotion. My sister is usually so stoic and together, so this little gesture of emotion is quite shocking.

“Silly me. It’s just been a very long time since I saw you in this room. Anyway, see you soon? Help yourself to anything, Charlotte. This is your home.” Lucille says, pulling away from me and slowly ambling out the room with each word. I nod and smile at her, almost cringing at the word “home”. As she leaves the door, I look around me again. This may have been my home all those years ago, but it most definitely isn’t my home anymore.

I slowly move towards my suitcase, opening the zip and expelling the contents. I get to work, hanging all my clothes in the wardrobe, placing all my personal items and putting the coffee on the eatery tray used for breakfast. I also put the red stone safely away. I also decided to use the little bit of time I have to quickly wash up before supper. The water is surprisingly hot, searing down and hitting my skin in heated drops. I wince, but soon come to enjoy the pink tinge of my skin. When I am finished, I get out and quickly throw on a black t-shirt and my denim mini skirt, before scrunching my natural, red curls with a towel. My hair looks wild and untamed, but it is me. I shrug. I have no idea what my parents expect of me anymore, but they must just accept what they get. I buckle up my black sandals and then stand up from the bed to head out the door.

I peep my head out the door, looking from left to right at the hallway. It is long and well decorated, just as I remember from when I was a child. Even the pictures of the many natural wonders in Dragon Land are still hanging perfectly on the walls as they used to. I smile and then close the door behind me. I spend the walk to the dining area taking in my home, noticing how very little has actually changed from what I remember. The only noticeable difference is the carpet is not maroon anymore and is now rather a natural, wooden flooring. I think I prefer it like this anyway. I turn the final corner and then amble down the stairs to the ground floor, each step coming with extra humidity for my lungs to inhale. Some would say it is a bit suffocating, but to a dragon, it is completely normal.

“Miss Charlotte. It is so lovely to see you again! Lucille said you would be home, but we weren’t sure when.” I hear a male voice coming from the side. I look up and see the old butler moving closer with a large smile on his face.

“Hello, Chris.” I greet, smiling broadly at the old man standing in front of me.

“My, look at you, Charlotte. A beautiful lady and a true Burns with that red hair and those mustard eyes!” Chris comments, causing me to laugh.

“Too bad I am just a human.” I mock, causing Chris to stop laughing. My laughs die down at his change of demeanor.

“Now, Now, Miss Charlotte. You hush with that silly talk. You are deserving, dragon or not.” Chris says, his whole aura shining with warmth. It is like he has wrapped me up in a bear hug.

“Thank you, Chris.” I reply, giving Chris my most sincere smile. He has always been kind to me, even as I left the house with my parents, he always told me to be strong and remember my worth.

“Come, I think everyone is waiting for you in the dining hall.” He quickly says, straightening up his uniform and offering me his arm. I smile and link my arm to his, laughing at how formal he is being with me. Things are weird here compared to back at home. In this house, I have a standing and a reputation, as my parents are highly ranked and involved in royal affairs. Back at home, in my comfortable, peaceful and warm little house, I am a nobody. I am just Charlotte Burns and that name comes with no meaning.

Chris and I walk at a steady pace towards the dining hall, chatting and laughing along the way. I can’t help but feel nervous about what is about to come. Will my parents be proud of who they see? What if they don’t approve of me anymore? I laugh out at my own thoughts. When have they ever approved of me anyway?

“Just through there, Miss Charlotte.” Chris says, coming to a stop and stepping away from me with a smile. I can see in his eyes that he is also somewhat concerned for me, but he covers it up with a professional smile and nods before walking off. I quickly dust at my t-shirt before taking a big and deep breath.

Time to meet the folks, I guess.