Page 78 of Horn in My Side
When Clawdia heard the word “wait”, she sat back.Much to Jasmine’s surprise, the hatchling was responsive to training and was obedient to commands.She’d watched a few videos online and read articles about how to train domesticated dragons, and many trainers compared them to dogs, except that dragon owners needed extra fire insurance.It was one of the reasons she didn’t want to take Clawdia home yet, as she couldn’t afford the additional rider.
“Good job.”Opening the cage, Jasmine set the bowl on the floor.“Come, Clawdia.”
The baby dragon scrambled out of the pen and dove into the bowl.Jasmine snapped a few photos and videos as she happily devoured the meal.One in particular had her giggling—a piece of kibble had been stuck on top of Clawdia’s snout and she went cross-eyed trying to lick it off with her long, snake-like tongue.She saved the video in a folder she called “Best of Clawdia.”
Jasmine bit her lip as she scrolled through the folder.She still hadn’t shared any photos or videos of the dragon on their social media.That was another reason she didn’t want to take her home yet.It just felt too good to be true that Clawdia washers.Like one day someone would come and just take her away.It was one thing for her to keep Clawdia, but putting her out there could expose her and she didn’t want to catch the attention of the original hatchery from which she’d bought the egg.
A vision of Mal’s face appeared in her head.“He’s not here, he’s at work,” she said to Clawdia.“I know you haven’t seen him since Monday.I miss him too.”
She let out a sad chirp.
“He’ll be back tomorrow, don’t worry.You wanna play ball?”
Her ears perked up at the sound of the word “ball”.
“All right, let’s play.”
Clawdia was much too young to get the concept of “fetch”,so playing ball with her mostly meant that Jasmine tossed the ball, Clawdia caught it, then refused to give it back until Jasmine chased her all over the room.Still, she was learning fast, which was a good thing because it was important for dragon owners to be able to control their pets, for everyone’s safety.In a year or two, Clawdia’s dragon fire would be able to do more than just leave scorch marks on the wooden floor.She’d be able to set whole houses on fire, and if Jasmine didn’t train her correctly, the authorities could take her away.
If she ever got to keep her that long.
I’ll have your back, no matter what.
Mal’s words from the other night rang in her head clear as a bell.A smile tugged at her lips as she recalled how he had consulted a lawyer about Clawdia.Aside from the fact that it probably cost money, that he even thought to do it without her asking touched her deeply.He’d already proved to her that she could count on him, so maybe she should allow herself to believe him.
Nervous, she picked up her phone again and opened the “Best of Clawdia” folder, scrolling until she found the photo she wanted.It was one of Mal holding Clawdia, the little hatchling looking up at the orc, her big blue eyes shining with clear adoration.After only a brief bout of hesitation, she pressed her thumb on the share button, then tapped out a caption.
So ...turns out, it wasn’t a carcinos.Welcome to the world, baby Clawdia!#babydragon #hatchling #notacarcinos #oopsies#fantastictailsandmagicalscales #officialmascot #clawdia #maltheorc.
Her lips twitched at that last one, but it was probably time he got his own hashtag since it was pictures of him that got the most likes anyway.After a quick prayer to her ancestor spirits, she hit “post”.
There.
No going back now.
Something hit her feet and a small ball plopped down next toher.“Are we done playing ‘make Jasmine chase you around’?”Clawdia let out a warble.“How about—”
A piercing siren interrupted her and made her jump, though it quickly faded off, as if it had zoomed away.Clawdia clung to her leg.
“Don’t worry, it’s just an emergency vehicle,” she assured the hatchling.Bending down, she picked her up.“It’s really loud, huh?Must be hard on your sensitive hearing, plus we don’t have any soundproofing spells in here, like in the shop.”She made a mental note to ask Mal if there was anything he could do about that.
A vision of fire popped up in her head.
“Oh no, no.Please, baby, no more testing out your dragon breath.”Clawdia had already burned two blankets, a unicorn stuffie, and she’d singed one of Mal’s fingertips.“How about—”
The hatchling placed its paws on her chest then lifted her head to lick at Jasmine’s cheeks, as if to say,listen to me.
“What—”
The heat around her intensified.
“Oh Mother Goddess.”That was definitely Clawdia.She’d always used pictures and feelings to communicate with Jasmine before, but never anything as strong as actual sensations.But what was she trying to say?
Another loud piercing wail echoed from the outside, followed by another, both eventually fading into the distance.
Flames danced in her head, growing in size.
“Wait.Are you trying to tell me there’s a fire somewhere?”Dragons were fire breathers, and as she learned from Mal, elemental magic was always connected.In the same way wyrms could seek out the nearest water source or kamaitachi hopped on cyclones to traverse long distances, was it possible dragons knew when fires were ablaze?
