Two False Humans Now

The next day I woke up earlier than Daisy, whom was tightly gripping my hand in her sleep. I smiled when I looked down at the sleeping child. I could hear Telee in my thoughts: "I think you like this hatchling more than you do me." he said joking. "Well she is cuter." I replied giving a smile and that he couldn't see.

"Get that smirk off your face." he told me, knowing that I would be making that face. "I will not be outranked by this child I am a mighty terrifying dragon." he said with a tone filled with pride and desperation.

"But you can't take on this False Human." I mocked.

"Yeah well if you die I die, so any of my attacks will hurt both of us, and you started physical training before I even hatched." He said. Before I could continue conversation with Cortelco I heard "More humans are here Mama. coming from Switch, whom was working as a road block. I pulled my hand from Daisy's grip, then looked to Wisp and Nymp, who were awake but curled into Daisy's hair. All I had to do was look at them and they nodded, knowing that I needed them to babysit. I ran to the road as quickly as my legs could take me, and stopped abruptly when I came to the all too familiar DDP vans. rocks and dust sprayed across the hood and windshield of the first van, as the dirt driveway was not prepared for my sudden stop. I began as I always do, I made my eyes yellow, my claws appear, and stood in a way that showed off my muscles. This usually scared the DDP agents into submission, but this time Paul just popped out of the front van. He walked towards me, no trace of fear on his face. I growled, which caused him to flinch, but not to back down.

"Ivy do we have to do this every time?" Paul asked with a sigh of frustration.

"This is my territory and I have even more things to protect now." I said sternly, maintaining my intimidating aura.

"I know about the girl, we all do, though not much, Mabel won't answer her phone." Paul said.

"I am not letting her talk on the phone she has loose lips, and I would like to keep some things private." I told him speaking in an almost threatening tone.

"You are not her parent, and she is an adult, you can't just ground her from her phone." Paul said calmly, but the frustration could be seen on his face.

"I helped her with her studies, I helped her with her first hatchling, I gave her a cabin..." Paul cut me off there.

"The DDP gave her a cabin."

"Without my request and permission it would not have happened." I explained then continued with my reasoning. "We are close friends, despite the age gap, and I consider her family, and lastly...I pay her phone bill." I smiled as he couldn't refute my last comment. "I saved the most reasonable for last, because the other reasons explain that I still care for Mou... Mabel. She is taken care of here, and is happy. She may not enjoy this bit, but even if I shouldn't keep secrets from the DDP, I shouldn't be what Mabel is talking about." I explained calmly and rationally" I saw Valorous who had at some point came to my side nodding. I then looked back at the sleu of vans and trucks and growled. "I don't need to explain myself any further. I will check the people who come into my territory, and make sure my land is safe. Paul gave a gesture telling the vehicles that I was in charge, then began walking in the direction of Mabel's cabin. I growled and sniffed each worker, I could smell their emotions. Most were scared seeing me, others were only slightly nervous, and a few whom I had seen more often, were calm. This time all of my dragons were gathered in the clearing of the houses or hidden on the edge of the forest. As I watched the scientists and agents setting up, I decided it would be best if I layed down some ground rules with the DDP workers.

"Listen humans! This new False Human hatchling is fragile both mentally and physically! She hides her fragility! Any tests that make her too nervous or cause her pain are not allowed! I will accompany her the whole time, and testing us simontaniously is not allowed, my dragons have gathered to make sure everybody obeys!" I yelled so everybody could hear me. I nodded and Wisp and Nymph led Daisy, who was sitting atop Valorous, into the clearing. I had already told them when to bring her. Gasps could be heard by many, as people saw her wings. Daisy ran to me, grabbing my thigh, and hiding behind me. She peeked around me, her yellow wings were held tightly around her back, her torso was still covered with bandages.

"I held her hand and gave her a reassuring smile. she moved to my side, but still clung to my legs.

"Humans this is Daisy, as you can see she is different looking than me, but we are the same." I said with a nod. She climbed back on Valorous' back and the two followed me into the outdoor lab. Daisy got many simple tests: an x-ray, an MRI, a Cat Scan, they clipped her nails and filed off a bit of one of her horns for samples. They gave her an EKG (that remained on for the rest of the tests), and an EEG. Then came the tests of strength and stamina. First stamina test she got was on a treadmill and she ran, with the electrodes from the EKG still attached, she also lifted weights. The scientists wanted to see her fly, but I didn't allow it, as she was still sore from yesterday. I knew they would need blood, it was a fact that even I knew was necessary. I held Daisy's hand, as a needle was inserted into her arm.

"You are doing so good. This is the last thing I promise. After this you can go play with Jasper and the dragons." within a minute the blood draw was over, and it was my turn for more tests. Things were much easier for me though, not much of me had changed since their last experiments, and I was being extra protective and grouchy this time, so they didn't feel the need to stay. Unlike most of the DDP visits everybody was leaving by the end of the day.

"Mabel told Paul that you let the hatchling sleep in your cave. He knew better than to stay any longer after that." Cortelco explained. I walked into the house, where Daisy was "playing" Maria Cart with Jasper, though her controller was unplugged.

"Did I win?" Daisy asked Jasper excitedly, not even realizing she wasn't playing.

"Yep you beat me again. You sure are good at this." Jasper told her.

I cleared my throat, causing both of the kids to notice me.

"Well well well, looks like our little Jasper can interact with more than just lizards." I said with a mischievous smile.

"I, I didn't do anything. I just like dragons better. Even if this one looks fairly human." Jasper tried to save his reputation, but when Bill walked threw the door and saw the scene he agreed.

"Looks like my boy finally made a friend, took you long enough." Bill said with a laugh.

"No, she is not my friend! She is too little!" Jasper yelled as he turned bright red.

Daisy laughed and hugged his legs. "You are my friend for real life right?" the little girl said with a smile. Jasper pinched his eyebrows and responded "Sure I am your friend "for real life". Since everybody seems to say so anyways." Jasper said defeated. "You know we weren't actually playing the game." Jasper said to Daisy, trying to show his rude nature.

"I know. I beat you so much that it is like you didn't even play." Daisy responded innocently. She wasn't even aware of the burn she had just given. Bill choked on the beer he was drinking and I burst out laughing. Daisy looked confused. Jasper just rolled his eyes and stomped upstairs.

"Goodnight Bill. I think it is time that we got this one to bed." I said looking at Daisy who was sitting on the floor mid yawn. I picked her up, and she snuggled her head into my shoulder. I walked at a normal speed back to the cave, trying my best not to wake up a now sleeping Daisy. Valorous followed closely behind us.

"Do you like your new ward?" I asked Valorous quietly.

"She needs a guard much more than you do. You are strong and grown, but she is weak and young. This ward is better for gaurding."

I was a bit shocked at how well my six-legged dragon spoke. "You are speaking better than you ever have." I complimented him.

He looked to me proudly, "Rose and Cortelco have been helping me and the others. We don't want to speak the same as hatchlings." he explained.

I gave him a warm smile. "You will always be my hatchlings." I told him, "but you seem to have grown into very smart dragons."

Our conversation ended as we came to the edge of the cliff that led to the cave. Wisp and Nymph crawled out of Valorous' shadow, and then followed me up the small trail to the cave. I put the still sleeping Daisy down on the moss, and watched as Wisp and Nymph cuddled on one of her sprawled out wings. I looked at her happily, as she smiled in her sleep. I watched her for a bit, then saw the pink bandaid on her arm where the scientists had drawn blood. I wish I had a prize for her for being good. I remember getting a toy whenever I had to go to the doctor or do tough things. Then realization hit me; she didn't own a single toy. I left her alone with the small dragons, and ran to Mabel's cabin. I bolted into her cabin and saw her sitting on the couch, watching some comedic drama.

"What's wrong? What happened?" she asked in a panic. I had obviously scared her from bolting through her door so abruptly.

"Nothing is wrong; I just need some basic human help." I said holding my hands out to calm her down.

"You scared the living daylights out of me." Mabel said with a sigh, and one hand on her chest.

"I need human toys, and clothes that will fit Daisy. Even if she is a dragon, she will still want to play like a child. I thought about it, and realized that some slightly customized halter top shirts and dresses would fit her." I explained quickly.

"Why are you in such a hurry? She hasn't been crying for things has she?" Mabel asked looking sad.

"No, but she is five; she should have all sorts of toys and clothes. I couldn't give her a prize for being so good today. These stupid horns make doing things a lot harder." I said while stroking one of my bumpy horns.

Mabel nodded understanding all of my problems. "I will drive to the city tomorrow, and get some child things. Now go back to your cave and rest." she said, sounding almost like a mother. Instead of listening I grabbed a pen and paper and plopped onto Mabel's couch. She rolled her eyes and simply sat back on the couch to continue watching TV. I had to make a list of things Daisy would need. Her new clothes and toys would have to be sturdy, but still fun. I had to think of my favorite toys growing up. Maybe I could get chalk, that she could draw on the cave walls with. after all the place didn't have any decoration or color. And floaties for the water... oh can't forget water wings, until she learns to swim. I scribbled all sorts of things on the list for Mabel to buy. I couldn't just put toys, the more I thought about it, the more child protection items I needed. How had I kept her alive these past few days.

I might have to do the unthinkable something I hated doing and avoided at all cost... ask Mrs.Horn advise on raising kids.