"Starre," Nina called, laying something on the table. "I need to go to the store and get some bread. Are you coming?"
"What do you think?" asked Starre dryly, beginning her waffles. Her toe was still throbbing, despite the ice on it. "Listen, I'll be ready to go when you get back."
Nina seemed about to say something, then stopped. She sat down across from Starre at the kitchen table ('twas a very nice hotel).
"Are you okay, Starre?" she asked softly. Starre nodded, and Nina got up. "You enjoy yourself, now. I think you're going to have a great day." With that, Nina left.
Starre, having no clue what Nina was talking about, decided to finish her waffles. Once she had accomplished that task, she brushed her teeth with her special, non-minty toothpaste. What was more disgusting than mint? The answer was quite obvious (the DF) but she didn't feel that it would be best to think about that right now.
Next, she got out her Water-pik and cleaned out her braces. Her dark green bands contrasted sharply with the silver metal on her teeth, but she liked that color. Then she brushed her bushy black hair with Nina's brush (she couldn't find hers) and washed her face. She slipped on some flip-flops that almost matched her shirt, and went into the kitchen to wait.
That was when she noticed the piece of paper on the table. It looked like a note attatched to a form. Starre walked over to look at it. She immediately recognized Nina's messy handwriting.
Starre --
Hi, sweetie. I think I should give you one more special thing for your 13th birthday, so here it is. I went through a lot of delibiration last night, and I think this is something our whole family can enjoy. I know Steve will love having a new pet to walk! Just kidding, love you.
-- Nina
Starre still had no clue what Nina was talking about, so she looked at the form. She practically fainted out of amazement. The first page was entitled 'Bishel Dragon Application Form.'
Starre grabbed a pen and sat down. Nina had to be kidding! This was just some joke she was playing on Starre. Starre turned the page to look at the rest of the form. The next page was entitled 'Minor Adoption Permission Form.' Nina had filled it all out, and signed at the bottom. Wow.
Starre turned back to the first section of the forms. She looked up at the first line. It asked for her name. Okay, then.
Starre Liyana Copper
Next, it asked for her age. It also stated, in smaller print, that, if she was 18 or younger, it was required that she have a parent or guardian fill out the Minor Adoption Permission Form. This meant that the minor and the parent/guardian (Starre and Nina) would both be considered the official caretakers of the Bishel Dragon. However, the individual that filled out the main form would be the only owner listed in records. That was fine by Starre.
13 years
She continued filling out the form, until she reached the place requiring her signature. She paused. She didn't really have a special signature. She grabbed a scrap of paper, and came up with one.
Starre Liyana Copper
She went over the page, making sure everything was correct. She then found a sheet of information on the very back of the packet. It was called 'About the Machesri Bishen.' She began to read.
The Machesri clan is one of the largest and most well-known of the groups of Bishel. It is currently housed in the Bishen Realm, and is lead by Leukosri, whose title is Kalian. Machesri adults are about the size of a large dog, and they are able to make a variety of whistling and crooning sounds. They are also able to speak telepathically. They come in many different colors and types, along with hybrids of these things.
Like most dragons of myth, Bishels start their lives out as eggs. Green eggs produce males, while blue eggs produce females. When the Bishel hatches, it is tiny, with no legs or wings. At this worm-like stage, it is called a Wyrm. Quite fitting, eh? Anyway, as it grows, it will develop legs, wings, or both. When this transformation is complete, the dragon is known as a Shrape.
The three most common colors in the Machesri clan are red, blue, and green. Some other varieties are Black, Divine (extremely rare with feathered wings), Ice Shard, Moonstone, Mountain Haze, Sunshine, and White. Machesri dragons develop their color immediately after they are born.
The type of a Bishel determines its physical features. The three most common types are Terran (no wings, and two or four legs), Marine (long and snakelike, no wings or legs) and Arboreal (wings and no legs). There can also be hybrids of these (Terran-Arboreal, Terran-Marine, and Marine-Arboreal). Remember, the Bishel doesn't develop its type until it is a Shrape.
When the dragon becomes a Shrape, the time has come for it to become a full-fledged member of its clan. To do this, it must receive a Magical Object from the Kalian at a ceremony called a Shantel. Once they have received their Object, the dragons have become Full Bishels. They are ready to mate, now. You can find a bond for them at this time.
All in all, raising a Bishel is a wonderful experience. If you receive an egg, you will be given a more detailed guide to raising your Wyrm to become a healthy Shrape. Good luck with your application!
Signed,
Indyana Gratis Owner and Head-Coordinator
of the Bishen Realm
Below the slightly overwhelming information, a note was scrawled.
Starre - Good luck with the adoptions! - Amy
Smiling at the compliment, Starre again looked at Nina's perfect signature at the bottom of the Minor Application Permission Form. She still couldn't believe that Nina was allowing her to get another 'pet.' Their last dog, Sunny, had died 3 years ago, and they all still missed him. Starre assumed that the Bishels had a slightly longer lifespan than most dogs, but, since grandpa died, Nina had hated having anything she loved die. Otherwise, Starre would currently have several hamsters, two birds, and a cat.
Starre laid the form back on the table, put the pen away, and flopped down on the couch to think. This was looking pretty far ahead, but what in the world would one name a dragon? Not Sunny, obviously! This would take some thought.
Suddenly, it came to her. She would name it in the language of the Kin! Starre meant spirit, as far as she knew from the Kin dictionary's entry "Starr: (n) spirit, soul." Sure, it was missing an 'e,' but it was close enough.
She got out her English to Kynnish dictionary, and looked up the word dragon. "Arre" was what the dictionary stated. It was pretty, but it didn't sound complete.
After a half-hour of looking around, she came up with few ideas. Her favorite by far was 'Kyeshori,' which meant 'little flower.' She didn't think it would suit a Shrape, but it was still pretty. She'd have to see the Wyrm first. For now, she was looking forward to a shopping trip to discuss the whole thing with Nina.
**--**--**
What's the matter? Gana asked, nudging John with his green and white snout. You're being awfully quiet.
"I guess you don't know," John sighed, "that I have a daughter. Her name is Starre."
Gana smiled. Really? I'd like to meet her. Where is she?
John shook his head, holding back his tears. "They took her," he said. "They took her to be in the DF. I tried to stop them, but they just shoved me aside."
No! Gana cried. That's against the law! You just said so.
"Yes," John said, "but she was tough and strong, even though she was 6, and they decided to risk it. They got caught, and they took Starre to an orphanage, I'm sure. They didn't know I was her father. They just thought I was her old, crazy cellmate."
Terrible, Gana snarled. Both were quiet for a while, and Gana took to trying to pull his blue bands off.
"What are those?" John asked, gesturing toward the fuzzy elastic band around Gana's tail.
They're my ID, Gana sighed. My old owner would wear a matching band on his wrist. See that number there? 00392. It's what I was called, never Gana. 'Oh, come here, oh-oh-three-nine-two! You naughty naughty Dragon, you've served well, no supper for you tonight....'
John didn't reply. Gana had obviously had a terrible life back with the DF, the way he ranted on about the terrible people there, and the way his master treated him during the Dragon's final hours with him. John felt kind of sorry for the kind creature, and he was more than glad to split his lunch rations between the two of them when they came.
Ah, well, Gana muttered, forgetting about the bands to eat his pathetic meal. Thanks for this, John.
"Anytime," John sighed, yawning. He ate another mouthfull of gruel, stretching his legs out. They touched one side of the cell, while his back rested on the opposite wall. He sighed again, taking his last bite. He was still hungry. His back hurt, and his vision was blurry. His forehead was hot to his touch.
And, suddenly, his eyes were opening. He could just see a concerned Gana standing over him.
John! Gana cried. His telepathic call sounded like a scream to John. You just passed out! Man, you look sick.
John tried to say 'I'm fine,' but the words came out as a curious rasping noise that even he couldn't decipher.
I'll get help, Gana said. The Dragon closed his eyes, and was soon overcome in concentration. John began to go unconcious again, but, just before everything went black, he was sure he could hear Gana say Kivo? Io? I really need a hand here....