The Familiar Stranger Chapter 14

Chapter 14 - Story Telling

-By SoulDragonWithFlow

“Seriously though, what do you think was wrong with her?” Cynthia asked as the three of them walked through the forest.
“She’ll be fine I reckon. Probably just over tired.” Lucia answered while Mistyte bounced round them. Lucia chuckled to herself before leaning in and whispering to Cynthia. “And looking after this one, are you surprised? Cynthia nodded, agreeing with her. She had never been a parent before, although neither had Lucia, but she did have a little babysitting experience.
“What-cha’ doin’?” Mistyte chirped as she saw them whispering to each other.
“What? We were talking amongst ourselves sweetie.” Cynthia answered.
“I can see that silly!” She squeaked. “I wanna know what you were saying!”
“Of course you can see it sweetie. I wasn’t questioning your eyesight, but rather remarking upon the paradox of asking people talking discreetly amongst themselves, what they were saying.” Lucia just stared at her friend in disbelief. Mistyte stopped bouncing for a second, and looked at Cynthia with her head cocked in curiosity and thought.
“Why not just say it’s a secret?” She said before continuing her high energy bouncing and hanging from the trees. While she played, Lucia sighed at her friend’s hopelessness.
“By the skies Cynthia! Chill out stuff-shirt!”
“What do you mean Lucia?” The blue dragoness asked. She was used to the name “stuff-shirt” among the many nicknames Lucia had for her. The two were in many ways, polar opposites, but despite this, they were still good friends.
“Just loosen up! You know, learn to have a little fun. Stop being so uptight.” She replied, giving Cynthia a playful bump with her hips.
“I am certainly not uptight!” Cynthia replied as she regained her balance from the bump. Lucia laughed.
“Ha! You so are!! You know, I get how you’re all reserved and everything, but there’s a time for fun too!” Lucia nodded at Mistyte who was jumping between trees and using seemingly every surface to her playful advantage, walking on thin branches, swinging on vines, leaping from tree to tree, she seemed to have no end of imaginative ways she could play in her environment. “Look at her Cynthia. We’re just walkin’ through the woods but look how much fun she’s having! It might not be fast or efficient but she doesn’t care! She couldn’t give a damn what people think. She’s just doing what makes her happy, and stuffing the rules. A drop or two of that in your morning tea might not go amiss Cyn.”
“So you’re saying I should start bouncing around the place like an unruly lunatic?” Cynthia said, obviously being sarcastic. Lucia sighed heavily and brought a paw to her face.
“No, I am just… Ugh… I am just saying maybe smile occasionally, you know? Give the formal tone a rest every now and again and just… just relax!” Cynthia didn’t reply. “Look you remember the other night, when we we’re talking about how you have a crush on Raven and...” Cynthia interrupted her.
“I do not have a… Crush on Raven!” Lucia sighed.
“Whatever, but we started talking about relationships and stuff, and you said that you were…” Lucia thought for a second. “I think the phrase was… ‘Slightly dismayed’, that you hadn’t found your guy yet? Hun, I hate to break it to you, but in that moment, everyone was thinking the same thing.”
“And what might that be, prey tell?” Cynthia scorned.
“That the reason for that is you never open up to anyone! Honestly, I’ve been out drinking with you before, and some of the guys you’ve turned down looked devastated. Seriously, when was the last time you got laid girl?”
“Unlike you, I can actually keep my privates to myself! What’s more, I don’t suffer from sex addiction! I actually care who I give myself away too!”
“Guhhh. So do I! Look Tightrope, just because I like sex doesn’t mean I’m desperate for it, or that I need it to be happy.  It’s just a way of having fun. That’s all. What’s wrong with that? Plus…” Lucia leaned in to whisper to her. “I happen to know you’ve got a pretty high sex drive yourself.” Cynthia immediately started blushing. She glared at Lucia but could tell by her smug grin that denying it was pointless.
“Who… Who told you that?”
“No one!” Lucia laughed. “They didn’t need too! You know I can tell when someone’s interested a mile off. Whether they’re male or female. Besides, we live in the same building! I’ve lost count the amount of times I’ve walked past your front door, and caught a whiff of sex in the air. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what you’re doing to yourself in there. Plus, you once let slip you were a little bi-curious.” She said, winking at her. Cynthia sighed. “Look Thia, I know I tend to keep sex as a physical thing, and what I get up to isn’t exactly your thing. I know that you’re looking for something a little more serious, but if you’ll let me, I could probably help you out with that too.”
“You?!!!” Cynthia spurted, almost bursting out laughing.
“Yes me!” Lucia said defensively. “Just because I like to have fun doesn’t mean I don’t want love one day. Just not yet that’s all.” Lucia sighed at her next words. “Look, I’ll let you into a little secret, but you have to promise me not to tell anyone.” Cynthia nodded.
“Of course.”
“There was a time. A very long long time ago, that…” Lucia hesitated. “I was actually... in love.”
“What?” Cynthia replied, slightly shocked.
“Ya. I know it’s hard to believe, but there was a time I was completely in love. I really did love him. You can probably gather it ended though.”
“And you got hurt.” Cynthia worked out.
“Yeah.”
“What happened?”
“I don’t want to talk about it. But my point is that even though I tend to play the seductive, and go for the physical, I still know how to get a guy interested in you. I mean, genuinely interested. In the real you.”
“You want to help me find someone?” Cynthia asked.
“Why not? That’s what friends are for right?” Both suddenly jumped however as a high pitched voice from behind interrupted them.
“Could you teach me too?” Lucia spun round to find Mistyte walking behind them, who had obviously been listening in to their conversation.
“What?”
“Could you please teach me as well? Like, how to talk to boys and stuff?” Mistyte asked.
“Urmm sweetie, I think you’re a little too…” Lucia interrupted her friend before she could dampen the mood again.
“Of course! I’m sure I can teach you a thing or two. Why? Is there someone you like?” Mistyte blushed. “Oooh there is! Well I-“ Cynthia pulled her friend a side before she could say much more.
“What are you doing?!” She growled at her, keeping her voice low so Mistyte didn’t overhear.
“What?” Lucia said defensively.
“She’s just a kit Lucia! She doesn’t need to know this stuff yet!”
“Clearly she does Cynthia!” Lucia replied firmly. “If she’s old enough to ask, she’s old enough to hear the answers!” Cynthia just stared at her friend in disbelief. “Look, she’s nearly a teen, and she’ll already know where eggs come from and stuff. I’m not gonna teach her technique! Like what positions feel good or anything! Give me a bit of credit. Just going to talk to her about the way guys think. Teach her to be confidant in herself. That sort of thing, you know?” Cynthia still looked unsure. “Look, don’t you think it’s better she hears it now from experience, before she asks her school friends who will just tell her myths? Don’t you think it’s better I teach her now, so she doesn’t get hurt later?” Cynthia sighed heavily.
“Just keep the crude stuff to a minimum ok?” She sighed. Lucia gave her a slightly mocking salute.
“Yes ma’am.” The two walked back over to Mistyte, who was sitting patiently and looked extremely interested. “All right then Mistyte, what would you like to know?”



“But Lucia, how do you tell?” Mistyte asked. The three had long since stopped walking, and settled down by a clear watering hole and Lucia was enjoying being able to teach Mistyte about the good and the bad aspects of the male species. She was pleased with just how mature the little kit was being about the difficult subject matter.
“Well… In some ways you can’t. But the more you talk to them, the more indications you will get. Contrary to what most girls think, not all males are assholes. In fact, only a minority are. Some nice guys can still act like dicks sometimes though. I think it’s because a lot of females like to play the ‘hard to get’ game. I think after a while, guys just get tired of guessing all the time. If you think you have someone who is kind, someone who is worth keeping, then I think the trick is to be open about what you want from the start. If you want him to take control and make you feel protected, tell him. If you want him to leave you to make your own decisions, but be there when you fall, tell him. Be open about yourself. 9 times out of 10, it’ll be met with a good response. In fact, he might even thank you for being honest about it, and not making him guess.” Mistyte nodded, taking in Lucia’s words. “Above all though, be confidant in yourself.”
“Thank you for doing this Lucia.” She said gratefully.
“Awww, that’s ok sweetie. I’m surprised you asked me and didn’t go to Twilight first though.” Lucia said, smiling softly.
“Well I tried asking Daddy, but he just told me to speak to Mother. And when I tried to ask, she just kind of… seized up and told me I was too young to be thinking about it.” Lucia smiled knowingly.
“Well, I guess you needed a friend more than a parent eh?” Mistyte smiled warmly up at her, before shuffling closer and nuzzling her chest. “But you have to understand something Mistyte;” The kit sat up and gave Lucia her full attention. “when you first start getting interested in relationships, you might get hurt. In fact, somewhere along the line, you probably will. Sometimes things do go wrong and two dragons just aren’t compatible with each other. But other times, you might just end up with a cheater. But whatever happens, the important thing is not to think all guys are the same. Take the risk with you. Sometimes you might get a bad one, but you could also end up talking to your soul mate, and you don’t want to ruin it before it starts, by keeping him at a distance and never getting close.”  Mistyte considered her words for a moment.
“Does it really hurt that much if you’re cheated on?” Lucia nodded strongly.
“Trust me, I know from experience it isn’t pleasant. Which is why you should never do it yourself. Females are just as bad as males.”
“Hmmm.” Mistyte thought. “I know some people do like… like…”
“Different genders?” Lucia asked, finishing the sentence for her.
“Yeah, but… is it really ok? To be… attracted to your own gender?” Lucia laughed.
“Of course!! No one cares Mistyte! Why would anyone care?”
“Nothing… it’s just… how do you decide?” Lucia chuckled at the kit’s naivety.
“You don’t get a choice Mistyte! You are what you are. Some like females, some like males and some like both. It’s just what you are.” Lucia tried to explain.
“But how do you know then?” Mistyte asked. Lucia, for the first time hesitated, unsure of how to answer.
“Well… I…erm…” Thankfully, Cynthia, who had been lying on the grass by the waterside a little way away from them, walked up to them and saved Lucia from this somewhat difficult question.
“Don’t worry. You’ll figure that out soon enough yourself. Chances are you’re probably straight anyway, but it’s nothing to worry about if you’re not. All you need to know for now is that whatever your preference, you should always be good to the one you’re with. Always try and be the un-burning fire and not the eternal scorning ice. If you do that, chances are you’ll be fine.” Cynthia explained. Mistyte looked at her, a curious and confused look on her face.
“Be the fire and what? What do you mean?” She asked. Cynthia and Lucia looked at each other perplexed.
“Didn’t Dash ever tell you the story of The Messenger Bird?” Cynthia asked. Mistyte still looked confused.
“You know, two kits in the forest, brother and sister, the sister goes mad and turns evil?” Lucia prompted, hoping Mistyte might remember the famous fairy tale. Mistyte shook her head. Cynthia grinned.
“Well it was my favorite story when I was your age, maybe a bit younger. I know it off by heart. Would you like to hear it?”
“Yes please!!!!” Mistyte squeaked, jumping up in excitement.
“All right then Mistyte.” Lucia chuckled. “Get comfy and we’ll tell it to you.” Mistyte lay down next to Lucia and shuffled in under her wing. Cynthia cleared her throat.
“This is the tale of two siblings; opposites of fire and ice but who loved each other but failed to become more. It is the story of how one soul meant mad with the pain of loss, and sought a way to bring her father back from the dead at the expense of the living. It is the story of The Messenger Bird.” Mistyte huddled closer to Lucia and wore a wide grin of happy anticipation.

“Once there were a sister and brother,
Opposites of ice and fire.
Alone they tried, but in wisdom found together they flew higher
Together they flew higher

Come Come my brother now,
The sun shines down this day.
So they ran into the forest deep and together they did play.
And together they did play.

But something corrupted their day’s light;
Neither creature’s claw nor wrong turn.
For her ice and frost refused to thaw and his fire did not burn
His fire did not burn.

Watch them did a spirit bird.
A messenger of time.
He looked down in sorrow from his perch surrounded by burning vines.
Surrounded by burning vines.

Feel my sorrow my dear children,
Today the black spirit stands tall.
For you have a father who this day has befallen his sky-fall.
Has befallen his sky-fall.

Oh my dear foolish bird,
Your presence here so cold and mean!
I’ll freeze your heart until it breaks for to bring such news to me.
For to bring such news to me.

But the brother turned and begged,
His sister to show her light.
Dear sister do not blame the messenger and together we’ll cry tonight.
Together we’ll cry tonight.

Listen to your brother dear,
Don’t waste your time with me.
Go home and mind your morning mother and the egg this world has yet to see.
This world has yet to see.

She later looked down on her new sister.
To the ancestors she swore her plea.
I swear by hook or by crook I’ll return him back to thee.
I’ll return him back to thee.

And so she set out to change her fate,
By any evil deed.
She took her souls from the north to the south to steal back her creed.
To steal back her creed.

But her restless father did speak one day
Weeping up from the mistletoe.
Please dear daughter I rest in peace, so I beg you let me go.
I beg you let me go.  

Oh no dear Father I can not do that.
I will bring you back to me.
For you have your kin and never saw the girl who has grown up without thee.
Who has grown up without thee.  

So she continued on her dark path.
Her heart grew black as coal.
But far too soon age and time began to take their tolls.
Began to take their tolls.

So to keep her vow,
Dear father I know I can,
She found her lust and through a male’s touch she spread throughout the clans.
She spread throughout the clans.

And every night her family sings.
Parents and siblings sing their love.
Together they sing out to the lands before them and weep to the stars above.
And weep to the stars above.”


Cynthia finished and looked at Mistyte for her reaction. She looked a little shocked, upset even. Possibly even worried.
“That…That was awful! So she did all that to try and bring back her dad, but died before she could do it?”
“Yeah. So she had children and instructed them to continue her work.” Cynthia explained.
“Legend has it, that her offspring still roam the lands today, hiding in the corners of every clan on the planet. They change their forms and wait to steal your soul.” Lucia added. Mistyte looked immediately scared. Lucia leaned in and added one more thing in a low, scary voice. “They could be anywhere…” Mistyte let out an adorable squeak. Lucia laughed in triumph as Cynthia slapped her arm.
“Don’t worry darling, it is foolish to believe such creatures even exist.” Cynthia said, trying to calm her, if only a little.
“Really? There’s no such thing?” Mistyte squeaked.
“Sure.” Cynthia reassured. “Besides that isn’t the point of the story. It isn’t a tale of monsters and ghosts, it’s about what we choose to become when faced with life’s challenges. Both the brother and sister suffered pain, but only the sister acted on her dark side. The siblings are a metaphor for the light and dark in all of us. We all have it in us to be either good or bad, but what separates us is the part we choose to act on; The eternal darkness and cold of ice, or the warmth and light of fire.” Mistyte nodded, understanding. “Life can be, and often is, cruel. But that doesn’t mean we have to be, no matter how tempting it is.”

“Well!” Lucia started, enthusiastic to lighten the mood. “May I suggest we play a game or something to lighten the mood?” Mistyte bounced up and down in excitement.
“Yay! What kind of game?”
“You two can, but I’m getting hungry and I’m sure you will before too much longer as well. You guys stay here, I’m going to see if I can find some fruit or something to eat.” Cynthia said.
“Ok Tightrope, meet you here in an hour?” Lucia said before turning her attention to Mistyte. “How are you with target practice? Up for a little competition?”