by Sarah Noffke
That’s what they were calling themselves, Sophia had spied as she sped down the avenue to the repair shop after leaving the House of Fourteen. On one side of the street were protestors, marching with their hand-drawn signs and yelling various chants. Sophia didn’t know what she was walking into when she stepped through the portal, or she would have disguised herself better…or at all.
When the crowd of Anti-Dragonites saw her, they immediately reacted, chanting louder and thrusting their signs into the air. The cardboard posters read: “No Evil. No Dragons,” “Save Us All From the Dragons,” and “Slay the Dragons Before They Slay Us.”
At the sight of her, protestors pointed at Sophia and yelled, “There’s one! A dragonrider!”
She wasn’t sure what they would do if they got her, but Sophia didn’t want to find out. She reasoned it would go very badly for them since she’d fought a lot worse than a bunch of enraged mortal protestors. Still, she didn’t want to chance getting into a skirmish with the crowd, even if it was just exchanging words. The reputation of the Dragon Elite was hanging by a tiny thread, and damage control was of the utmost importance.
To her relief, the Dragon Worshippers had cut in between the Anti-Dragonites, giving her the break she needed to escape to the shop. They were holding signs too, but theirs read very different things like, “Dragons Will Save Us All,” “No Good Without Evil,” “Supporting Dragons Supports Love.”
Sophia was grateful they seemed to have gotten her general idea behind preserving the dragon race. She was glad they’d cut in between the Anti-Dragonites, but it quickly became apparent she’d need to escape them too. They came at her with open arms and dreamy gazes saying things like, “Touch me dragonrider,” “The first female rider! She’s a goddess!” “Our savior!” “Where is your magnificent dragon?”
Immediately boxed in by the Dragon Worshippers with the Anti-Dragonites closing in behind them, Sophia had no choice but to scale the brick wall of a dry cleaning shop, hop between rooftops of various stores and send out several diversions until the crowd had lost her. Only when she thought it was safe did she climb down the side of John’s Electronic Repair store and slip inside.
“They have mostly been peaceful,” Trin Currante stated, not flinching when Alicia stuck another needle into her arm. “But, I can put some of my men out there if you’d like to disperse the groups.”
Sophia shook her head. “No, this is their right, and their voices are important. I’m listening. It’s just that…well, convincing the Anti-Dragonites won’t be easy.”
Alicia agreed, recording some information on a tablet. “I fear for you that things will get worse before they get better. The media seems to be feeding into the fears.”
“Shocking,” Sophia said dryly, slipping onto a stool. “They just love fanning the flames and creating more drama where there doesn’t have to be any.” She laughed morbidly to herself. “Isn’t it ironic the Dragon Elite is supposed to be about promoting peace, and this has come out of it all?” She threw her hand at the front window of the shop where out on the street, the two groups could be seen marching.
“I think on the way to fulfilling our purpose, we often meet a whole host of irony,” Trin said in a sage-like voice. “Maybe it’s the universe’s way of testing our resolve.”
Sophia nodded, smiling. “The universe does love a stubborn heart, doesn’t it?”
Trin returned the expression, making her appear much more human than before, even with the cyborg eye and black wires for hair. “I believe it rewards one for persevering in the direction of their goals.”
“Speaking of goals,” Sophia said, indicating the testing equipment Alicia had out beside Trin on the workstation. “How is the antidote coming along?”
Alicia glanced up, and for a brief moment, there was a bit of hesitation in her gaze. She covered it at once and forced a polite smile. “We’re still testing. It’s a…process.”
“I don’t mind that progress will take time.” Trin sounded uncharacteristically consoling, as though she wanted to comfort the scientist.
“Yes, but I’m hopeful that we can start trials with the others soon,” Alicia explained.
“Others?” Sophia asked.
“Yes,” Alicia affirmed. “I think the other cyborgs…” She gave Trin a cautious expression. “Is it okay that I call you and your men that?”
There was a mechanical sound when Trin nodded. “That’s what we are, despite what we desire.”
“Well, if there’s a better term then I’m happy—”
“It’s fine,” Trin cut in.
“Okay,” Alicia said with a thoughtful expression. “Anyway, the other cyborgs might respond differently to the drug I’m testing because they were made during different trials at Saverus. Trin is different in that she was one of the first.”
The cyborg’s mechanical eye swiveled in Sophia’s direction as her human one stayed trained straight ahead. “Mika Lenna was a bit more aggressive with the first batch of us. I was the only one who survived. Then he learned he had to be a bit more conservative in his approach.”
“Oh.” Sophia’s heart suddenly ached for Trin. She did appear more cyborg-ish than some of the other men. Some had guns for arms and other strange contraptions on their bodies, but they also had many human features. Trin was more metal than she was flesh and blood.
“I’m testing for a different, maybe more aggressive solution for Trin,” Alicia stated, continuing to review her notes. “I’m thinking that starting the trials with the others might give me insights into how to tweak the formula so that it works for Trin.”
Sophia didn’t know how to ask her next question, but she felt it was necessary to clarify for her understanding. “The antidote helps you to take the magitech out of the cyborgs,” she began, choosing her words carefully, “but the metal parts of them. How does that work?”
Alicia nodded, appearing very clinical. “There’s a process for replacement with human parts for some. Others won’t have that option. It will be a case by case basis.”
Trin gave Sophia a sturdy expression. “I’ve given up on looking totally human again. I just want to feel that way.”
“We will do everything we can to make you what you once were,” Alicia said in a reassuring voice.
The cyborg looked off toward the street, where loud voices were emanating. “I appreciate that. But I’ve prepared myself for the very real reality that it may not work for me. I think I can come to terms with that if you can help the others.”
Sophia offered her a compassionate expression. “Just don’t give up. Remember, the universe loves a stubborn heart.”
Chapter Twelve
The weather at fairy godmother college was perfect when Sophia stepped through the portal. She realized it was always an ideal temperature at the campus, not too hot or too cold, no clouds in the skies, and always a gentle breeze wafting through the large oak trees that spread across the grounds.
Sophia enjoyed the floral scents that danced in the air as she strode up to the school. The school was buzzing with excited fairy godmothers in training when she walked down the hall. She thought she’d find Mae Ling, her fairy godmother, in her office, but when she was almost there, she heard her familiar voice and paused outside of a classroom.
“The dating app that we run is appropriately named, ‘Happily Ever After,’” Mae Ling explained to a room full of young women sitting studiously in the lecture hall.
Like the grounds of the school, the classroom was modern with flares of bright colors. A rainbow rug ran down the stairs that led to the stage where the small lady with short black hair stood, addressing the students.
Sophia slipped into one of the seats on the back row and listened. Mae Ling saw her right away but continued her lecture.
“Conversely, Cupid owns and operates ‘Lust,’” Mae Ling explained. “There are also dozens of other dating sites run by various entities, most of them after making money rather than helping others to find their true
love.”
Many of the girls in front of Sophia were typing on laptops, taking notes.
“Shutting down the dating apps would be ideal,” Mae Ling continued, “although our jobs have in the past been to be defensive, we have in our recent history tried to be more offensive in our approach. Our studies right now will focus on how to optimize our dating app, Happily Ever After, so that it is most effective for our Cinderellas and Prince Charmings. Your assignment is to access the database and find a way to tweak profiles of two potential lovers, so they swipe right on each other. You’ll present your work tomorrow.”
Before Mae Ling was done speaking, the students began packing up their stuff. She held up her hand to quiet them. “Don’t forget that tonight is our annual puppy party in the courtroom. Pick up your puppy of choice at the front entrance. This year we’ve expanded our choice of breeds, so everyone is sure to find the right one for them.”
At this, many of the girls squealed with delight before gathering up their stuff and filing out of the lecture hall.
When the students had all exited the classroom, Sophia made her way down the steps to the stage where Mae Ling was gathering up her notes. Her fairy godmother scrunched up her nose and smiled at her. “I’ve been expecting you.”
Sophia laughed. “I keep hearing that, and it’s starting to make me wonder where I need to be next.”
“We will get to that in a minute.” She eyed the clock on the wall, squinting slightly. “You have plenty of time to get there and meet the person expecting you.”
Sophia scratched her head. “I didn’t have any appointments after this, so this should be interesting. I guess I don’t have time for lunch then?”
Mae Ling twirled her finger. “I’ve sent him a meeting request and made a lunch reservation at Forever Vegan on Roya Lane.”
“Him? Vegan fare?” Sophia couldn’t help but groan. “What tells me that I’d rather go hungry than do lunch?”
Mae Ling waved off her frustration. “They have lovely cheesecake. Get that for starters and then finish with some of their chocolate chip cookies and almond milk.”
“Can’t we just do lunch at the ice cream parlor or Crying Cat Bakery?” Sophia asked.
“That’s for after lunch when you stop off for dessert,” Mae Ling explained.
“Right,” Sophia said, drawing out the word. “So after I have cheesecake and cookies, then I’m supposed to have what, an ice cream sundae?”
The fairy godmother shrugged. “Or a pastry. Just ensure it’s not zucchini bread. I can’t stand when they hide vegetables in desserts.”
Sophia nodded. “That’s how I feel about fruit in desserts. If I wanted an apple, I would have eaten one. Dessert is about chocolate and little of anything else.”
“Good girl,” Mae Ling said proudly.
“Before we get to why I’m here and who I’m meeting for lunch, can I ask about the puppy party you’re having?”
“Of course,” Mae Ling answered.
“Is that what it sounds like?”
“Well, we bring in a few dozen puppies, and the students get to choose the one they want,” Mae Ling explained. “Then we all meet in the courtyard and the puppies play, and everyone has a delightful time.”
“Is this part of the curriculum?” Sophia questioned, wondering if it was too late to get accepted to fairy godmother college.
Mae Ling shook her head. “You’re not Happily Ever After material. Your job is as a dragonrider.”
“It’s creepy when you get in my head that way.” Sophia shivered slightly.
“But also helpful at times too, right?”
Sophia couldn’t deny it.
“And no, it’s more about morale than curriculum,” Mae Ling stated. “Good feelings breed success in all areas. We’ve learned that when our fairy godmothers are happy, they learn better and do a better job in general. So we try to do events like this on a regular basis.”
Sophia thought for a moment. “Maybe I need to come up with a team-building event for the Dragon Elite.” The image of Hiker holding a puppy made her laugh out loud. “On second thought, I wouldn’t want to do that to the puppies. Hiker is still struggling with controlling his powers.”
“You are looking for someone?” Mae Ling asked, prompting the reason that Sophia had come to visit her that day.
“Yes, I need someone who can make a potion out of dragon eggs that hopefully offer healing properties to magical races. Also, I was hoping you had a lead for me on where I can find the way to restore Ainsley’s memories as well as cure her so she can leave the Gullington.”
Mae Ling smiled. “I was actually waiting for you to make the first request because the person you need for that potion is the same person who can help you with Ainsley.”
Sophia didn’t know if she should be angry that Mae Ling had known the way to cure Ainsley before, or the person rather, and hadn’t shared the information with her.
Before she could say anything, her fairy godmother said, “Timing is everything, my dear. There are many things that demand your attention, but when to devote your time to them is key and totally my job.”
There didn’t seem to be any way to argue with that. If Sophia was honest, it was nice to have Mae Ling managing her schedule. Kind of like her own personal assistant. “Okay, so this person?”
“You can find them on Roya Lane in a shop called the Rose Apothecary. The potions expert is Bep,” Mae Ling explained.
“Thank you,” Sophia said gratefully. She began walking for the door, antsy to get started on the mission that would help Ainsley and hopefully mend things with Hiker. That was the distant hope anyway. The housekeeper might also leave the Gullington once she was cured and never return. That was a risk Sophia was going to have to take to help her friend. Give her back her life and wait to see what she did with it.
“But remember that you have a lunch date at Forever Vegan,” Mae Ling reminded her.
“That’s right,” Sophia replied. “Start with cheesecake, right? Which undoubtedly won’t have any cheese in it because vegans are the worst.”
Mae Ling nodded. “I agree, but there are a couple out there that don’t brag constantly.”
“Where?” Sophia asked quite seriously.
Mae Ling shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe in Scotland?”
Sophia shrugged this time. “I haven’t seen them, but I don’t get out much in that country. Just call it home, mostly.”
Mae Ling winked. “You get out more than most.”
“So this lunch date?” Sophia prompted.
“It’s with your new business partner for the dragon eggshell elixir.”
Sophia groaned. “Oh, no. I’m eating lunch with him?”
Mae Ling nodded. “Yes, and he’s already waiting for you, so you should be off.”
Chapter Thirteen
King Rudolf Sweetwater sat at a corner booth in the Forever Vegan restaurant. Sitting around the other tables were mostly elves wearing hemp pants and tie-dye shirts, smelling of way too much patchouli. In the corner was a circle of dread wearing hippies.
A barefooted waitress strode in Sophia’s direction, cutting her off before she made her way over to Rudolf. “Leave your worries and your shoes at the door,” the waitress said in an airy voice. She pointed to a basket piled high with flip flops and Birkenstocks.
“Oh, you want me to…” Sophia glanced at her boots, which would take her quite some time to unlace and take off.
“I want you to be grounded to the Earth, so no shoes,” the waitress told her.
“I literally share the same house as Mother Nature, so I feel pretty grounded to the Earth,” Sophia remarked, sitting on the bench at the door and pulling off her boots.
“We all live in Mother Nature’s house,” the waitress with feathers in her hair remarked.
Sophia sighed. She was going to need a whole lot of patience to get through this lunch, she thought.
When she was in her socks, she shuffled for the table where Ru
dolf was adamantly waving at her as if she could miss him. For one, he was the only one wearing a shiny blue tunic and his blond hair was brushed, unlike everyone else in the place.
“Hey,” Sophia said, sliding into the booth. “So, you’re vegan now?”
He nodded. “The Captains convinced me it was the way to go since it’s the lifestyle they chose.”
“They are still infants. How is it even possible they’ve chosen their dietary preferences at this point?”
“Right?” Rudolf agreed, nodding with a commiserate expression. “These kids were born knowing what they want and having strong preferences. They cry every single time I turn on Tiger King because they loathe the show. Captain Morgan can’t stand Mondays, and Captain Kirk is totally a night owl. Every time I’ve eaten a steak Captain Silver wails, so I just decided to give it up.” He patted the table. “Thanks for agreeing to meet me here.”
“I didn’t really have a choice,” Sophia said dryly.
“That’s how I feel about wearing eyeliner,” he remarked.
Sophia narrowed her gaze and realized the fae was wearing makeup. “You do have a choice, though. You don’t have to wear…is that blue eyeliner?”
“It’s not a choice,” Rudolf argued. “It’s a must.”
She peeled back. “If you say so.”
“Can I start you off with some drinks?” the waitress asked, her long dirty hair in her face. “Maybe a nice room temperature kombucha or algae smoothie?”
“Although that’s tempting, I’ll just stick with water,” Sophia replied.
“Reverse osmosis or sparkling or mineral?” the waitress asked.
“Just plain old water,” Sophia answered.
“Would you like it in a glass or poured into your cupped hands?” the waitress questioned.