Paul's Experience

Paul's POV*

I woke up on the small bottom bunk in an RV bunk bed, above me where my daughter had been sleeping was an empty bed. I crawled out of the bed my back was stiff, and I was still very tired, but I wanted to know where Mabel went. I walked to the door where I saw a note taped to the handle.

"Morning Dad 😁 I got up and went to train with Peculiar and Ivy. Bill and Mrs.Horn usually have coffee at Bill's house in the morning. Feel free to join them. -Love, Mabel"

When Mabel was still at home she would sleep in until noon, but it was seven o'clock am and she had already began her day. I guess she has done some growing up in the last few months. I put on my jacket and shoes and left to walk back to the two houses. As soon as I opened the door I was met with a large colorful frill, and sharp teeth. "Ahh!" I yelled as I jumped back. I didn't move another step. "You must be Callalilly? I have read a lot about you in files." I said trying to calm the beast down. She hissed loudly, but quieted abruptly. Her eyes looked distant for a split second, and like that the dragon walked off. "What was that about?" I asked myself. I finally left the trailer with Callalilly out of sight. The walk back was simple and quiet. I could see a chicken coup and a barn with a large generator on the outside in the distance. I knocked then entered the house that I had filled out a lot of paperwork to build. I could see Bill and Cora (whom I had already met) sipping coffee. "Paul dear we should meet under better circumstances." Cora said. I thought back to the last time I had seen the woman. My wife and I dropped off a Blade Runner hatchling, that had accidentally killed the two Creek Creepers in it's clutch.

"You ended up with a baby dragon last time we met if I recall correctly." I said

"Yes but that one was a Brute." Cora said scrunching her lips.

"Do you take it black or do you want the sugary watered down concoction that that woman drinks." Bill said gruffly.

"Just Black is fine." I replied.

"Good, you'd have to make your own otherwise." Bill said as he slid me a fresh cup of coffee.

I looked around at the calm slow paced morning that was taking place here, and then about the insane conditions of last night. "So what is your average day here like?" I asked. Cora spoke first.

"Honestly I don't do much. That girl never really liked me, and I don't have anything to go home to now, so I am just vacationing." she said

"Vacationing my left foot." Bill yelled at her waving his hands, "You are just being a mooch. You sleep alone in that house, Ivy cooks our meals most days, and don't think I didn't notice that you got a new TV and are using the girl's Netflix." He finished lecturing her and turned towards me. Ivy wakes up most days, but when she does she is up by around three at five she sends Peculiar to wake up Mabel. They do their practicing, though I don't know what for. I am in charge of large scale projects like the freezer barn or the obstacle training grounds." he said the last bit with a proud smile before continuing. "My boys who I have been training tend to smaller things like keeping the bees and repairs. My youngest Jasper mostly studies the dragons, he is really fond of the big lizards. Will is just like me though, he works hard and does things right. Since Ivy has given her all to being a wild dragon hybrid lady, I haven't had to work as hard as I had to with Edna." he finished his brief summary.

I was shocked at how much the DDP was paying this man, though it wasn't like he wasn't working on purpose Ivy tended to the dragons strictly, she was also supporting Cora, even if she didn't realize it, and he had two sons to work for him.

"What do the girls actually do?" I asked.

Cora answered "Ivy runs and spars with the dragons full force, so far she has clocked her record at forty miles per hour run. She does that for herself and for her dragons, and she helps Mabel and Peculiar. That grand-dragon of yours has some disadvantages to it, but with the help of Ivy and her dragons she will be strong." She said as though she was proud. Though none of the accomplishments or work were hers.

"She does that with Mabel all day?" I asked.

"Oh no, her and Mabel only practice together in the mornings, they should should be here for breakfast soon enough." Bill said smiling.

I nodded in response. I was so shocked at this girl's actions. in just a few months time, she had gone from an unemployed mooch in her brothers basement to some sort of mythical creature who works hard and controls dragons. Not to mention she managed to make my daughter a morning person. What was she?

"Paul the DDP left some clothes for you they are on the couch. Mabel called and said you were to observe Ivy over the weekend." I pinched between my eyebrows. I can't believe that girl, just like her mother.

Just then the two girls ran through the door. Ivy clicked a stop watch. "You're getting better Mouse. Though you still have a ways to go before you catch up to me." Ivy said proudly. I couldn't tell if she was proud of Mabel or herself.

"Yeah I have a feeling I will never be as fast as you. A girl can dream though." Mabel said with a sigh. "What's for breakfast?" Ivy asked Bill. "Uhh we have cereal or pop tarts." he said. "Seriously yesterday I made you pancakes and sausages and dished it up...then grew horns. Couldn't you try a little harder?" she asked. Bill just shrugged his shoulders and threw her a pop tart. I "don't cook." He replied simply. Ivy washed her hands and got behind the counter shoving Bill out of the way. "Paul, how do you like your eggs?" she asked kindly. "It doesn't matter whatever is easiest for you." I responded feeling awkward at her sudden kindness. "Mouse can you run to my house and get some bacon and strawberries from the fridge?" she asked Mabel. "Got it." Mabel said saluting her. Mabel then bolted out the door.

Ivy got a large bowl cracked several eggs into it and poured some milk in. She then beat them until the were a consistent color. She pulled out an electric griddle from the cabinet, and began to scramble the eggs. as they became more solid she added cheese, salt, and pepper. Mabel came running into the house. "Sorry it took so long, I decided to cut and wash the strawberries while I was there." Mabel explained as she handed Ivy a package of bacon. Ivy started to fry the bacon right next to the eggs so they would get the added flavor from the bacon grease. Mabel got out seven plates and doled out the strawberries. Jasper and Will both walked in. "Ooh smells good. Guess dad isn't cooking.", Will joked.

"Did you put cheese in the eggs?" Jasper asked.

"Yup, I know you like it best with cheese." Ivy said happily. Soon she was dishing up the food nearly evenly, giving Jasper slightly less. Mabel poured orange juice for everyone, who wasn't drinking coffee. Those two worked together amazingly. I knew my daughter as an awkward clumsy teenager, but seeing her now, I couldn't describe her as such. The food was delicious, most days I worked in the mornings, so this was the first hot breakfast I had had in who knows how long.

Ivy finished quickly then left.

"Where is she going?" I asked no one in particular.

"She has been trying to teach Reticent how to be more intimidating, he is still rather soft for a Gull Wing his size. So she is probably at the lake." Jasper said.

"She doesn't like to spar right after eating." Will pointed out.

Oddly enough though she came back into the house fairly quickly and gave Mabel her Wallet. "Mouse... Mrs.Horn," she said looking at the two of them. "I can no longer wear most of my wardrobe, can you go out and buy me clothes that I don't have to pull over my horns? I need something practical. Style doesn't really matter, but I need things that won't tear or be caught on branches. wraps, button ups, and things with zippers should be fine. I would go myself, but I think the general public would be afraid of me, or I would be on the cover of some newspaper." Ivy asked and explained. Then she left the house one more time.

"Guess we are driving to the city today." Mabel said looking at Cora. "Dad you can actually watch what Ivy does today. Just make sure to stay out of her way, and don't provoke her, she is possessive and territorial." Mabel kissed my cheek and walked out the door. I looked at the others a bit confused. "So.... what should I be worried about?" I asked nervously. "Well if she gives you a command, follow it. She gets scary fast." Will said. "If you so much as annoy her dragons she will get mad." Cora said. "There are certain places you are not allowed, like her cave. Don't go there, she gets mad." Jasper said. "Don't bring up the hunter, or trespassers at all, that will put her in a bad mood." Bill said.

"And what happens if she gets mad?" I asked.

"YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW." all four said at the same time. "She has been a bit of a loose cannon lately You don't know what you will get. She hasn't hurt anybody yet...other than that hunter, but since you aren't really her friend; we can't promise you anything. Oh and stay away from Somnolent his bumps just came in and he is still trying to figure out how to use them."

"Another question.. You guys didn't see her new horns last night, why are you so calm." I asked.

"Well Ivy seems to be full of surprises. Horns are a visible surprise, but I still think being able to talk to dragons through her mind is a bigger deal." Jasper explained.

"Well I think I should take Mabel's advise and see for myself. See you later." I got up off of my chair and headed to the front door. I felt like I had been dropped into another world. One where everybody is ruled by a strict mutant dragon queen, who enjoys cooking. My daughter seems to have adapted well though. I am still unsure if that is a good thing or not. I know that as long as Peculiar is here, she will want a place to call her own here too. I should get a cottage built by the lake for her. First I will have to figure out how a minor would be able to be granted the money to have a cottage of her own. Maybe I can pass it off as something that Ivy will need for future hatchlings. My ideas for my daughter continued until I saw Ivy. With the Deer Chaser, I think was called Switch, she was sparring. Mabel was right, neither of them held back, and just like she said soon they had stopped and laid against eachother proving it wasn't actually a fight. I walked closer to them, and without even opening her eyes Ivy said "What are you doing Paul?" I was shocked for a moment. "How did you know it was me. She still laid against the dragon with her eyes shut. Your smell was strong, you smell like Mouse, but not quite, mostly because unlike her you smell like a male. She is used to this and gets excited, I can hear her heartbeat quicken and sense the feelings she is giving off. You have a fast heartbeat, but you more feel nervous not excited." Ivy explained calmly. How did she adjust so quickly to all of her newfound strengths. "You are confused now. Just ask the questions you have." she said finally sitting up and opening her eyes.

"How did you get used to this so quickly?" he asked.

"I will give you my honest answer, but it must remain a secret." she said. I nodded and listened carefully.

"I am actually terrified. This has all happened so fast. I mean for goodness sakes I grew horns yesterday! I have been sparring and running and avoiding my reflection to keep my mind off of things. I didn't realize my strength until Bill pointed out that I hold my own when I am sparring. I didn't realize how fast I was until I thought my dragons were in trouble. Mouse is a good distraction too. We run together, and I help Peculiar. I sleep so often because I am mentally exhausted. It isn't possible for anyone or anything to go through this and not feel something. I have all this power, and I don't know what to do with it, and sometimes I scare myself and others. The dragons have never truely bothered me, which is where I thought the oddness would end, but it keeps getting weirder." she said, still keeping a straight face, though the panic in her voice was evident.

"Listen with this power you can protect your dragons. With your mountainous terrain and that massive lake, you could probably breed Gull Wings, and show the mothers what to do. I know Peculiar will never be a regular Gull Wing, but she could be a good mom. You have raised your dragons well. They trust you, and probably see you as more than a weak human parent, something worthy of being their family and having their respect. Which you will need when they are matured. For some miraculous reason, you were given these powers and put in the situation where you need them. You started out a catapillar here and you are quickly turning into a butterfly, just think of the other dragon ladies as moths. you all look alike to start out, but you seem to have evolved better."

She sighed heavily, "I am just glad my family doesn't have to deal with this. There is no way they could handle this." she said.

"Umm actually your records say you were adopted. I know your parents didn't tell you, but..." She smiled at me "I know I am adopted I figured it out when I was like five. I just went with it and acted like I didn't know."

So she has adjusted to difficult news well her entire life. "Is it okay if I shadow you today. Mabel left, and told me to observe your daily life. She nodded then her eyes turned yellow and her pupils retracted forming slits. As quickly as they came, they left, making her eyes look average again. "Wait a moment, your guard will be here soon, he will make sure you don't screw up." she almost scolded.

She was back to her edgy survivalist personality. Soon a six legged dragon appeared next to me. "Paul this is Valorous, Valorous this is Paul. It is your job to guard and guide him today." she said looking towards the short dragon. He nodded and off we went. Valorous made sure that we followed her from several meters away. Next she walked to the river where Peculiar was waiting. They both trudged into the river, and Ivy's eyes turned yellow. They both waited in the water until suddenly there was splashing and Ivy came up with a fish in her arms. The next round of splashes came from Peculiar, who tried to mimic Ivy, but failed. She didn't have fingers to catch the fish the same way as Ivy, so how was Ivy going to teach her. Moments later I saw more splashing, and I saw Ivy pull her head up with a medium size fish in her jaws. She threw it into the grass on the land. They continued this lesson until Peculiar had caught three fish of her own.

Ivy began to build a fire, and waited for the flames to get large enough, then cooked the fish that she had tossed into the grass earlier. She looked up to Peculiar who was offering her a fallen tooth. Ivy took the tooth and fileted the fish with it. "Paul are you hungry?!" she yelled. I saw the unseasonably fish that was cut up with a dirty tooth. "No I just had breakfast." I said, which was true. "Well you try hand fishing with a dragon, and sparring with another and not get hungry!" she yelled, from the distance. She bit chunks from the fish only leaving out the scales and bones. She backed away from the fire and nodded to Peculiar, who splashed water from the river onto the fire using one of her wings, then she blew mist onto the remaining hot embers. Next she laid on her stomach and had Valorous and I stand in the river. She laid flat on her stomach, and pulled out a turkey call from a pocket on her side. "she blew a few times mimicking a turkey. Soon a dragon came silently through the woods lined with feathers that matched a turkey's. He stayed low to the ground and made a similar turkey call. Then Ivy stood up. The dragon hopped back shocked. "Vainglorious, you need to focus on, not just the sound of the birds, but the smell and area. If there were a hunter here you would have been toast. Not to mention that you need to watch where you are walking, you snapped several twigs stalking here." she lectured the dragon. "I don't care if you get turkey now. I found a hunter here yesterday, and if the hunter was looking for dragons, or in this case turkeys you would be dead." she said. Ivy leaned forward and hugged his snout, "I don't want anything bad to happen to you. Also in this clearing it would be hard to blend in. Wild birds are smarter than the chickens you hunted when you were younger. Be careful." she said and let go of him. He nuzzled his face to the side of her face, then ran off. Her eyes turned yellow once again and she began walking deeper into the forest. Soon I saw a large brown dragon laying on the forest floor. I looked at Valorous "Is that Somnolent?" I asked in a whisper. "Yes he is! I am checking on how his poison dust bumps are growing!" Ivy yelled. She pulled a notepad out of the pocket that held the turkey call, and scribbled something down. Next we walked to the opposite direction. it was about a five mile hike, but eventually we reached a cove area. It had a large waterfall cascading down the rocky cliffs She got into the rough water, swam towards the rocky wall, and began to climb. I went to run forward to stop her, but I was swiftly pushed to the ground by Valorous. After an hour she reached the top of the cliff. Then she decided to climb down, opposed to jumping into the water. Though at such a high height I am glad she didn't jump. Another hour passed by and she made it down. She swam to the shore, and began to walk in the direction of the houses. "Okay time for lunch." Ivy said. I really hope I don't have to eat a fish outside. Her eyes once again turned yellow and Switch came running at us. "You are going to ride on Switch's back so I can work on my running." she said. "Absolutely No..." I began to say, but before I cod finish she picked me up and put me on the dragon's back. "Hold on tightly to the base of her wings." she instructed, then we instantly started running. She was bolting through the woods, jumping over rocks and fallen trees and dodging other obstacles. I tried my best to keep my head close to Switch's back to avoid being hit by branches. We were probably going in the thirties.Switch knelt down and I slid off. Then immediately puked. "Making more room for lunch. Let's go I am going to make hamburgers. We walked back into Bill's house and everyone looked at me for the mess I was. My suit was covered in dirt and pine needles, my eyes were wide (as I was still in shock). I collapsed on the couch. "Is it like this everyday?" I asked.

"Well usually no one joins Ivy for her activities. For obvious reasons." Jasper said, as he looked me up and down. I knew one thing for certain...I was going to report the Hell out of this.