Matrix

Entrance Security, Immigration Overseer

rather naive, easily startled. it's a wonder how she got into this position, but her heart is pure. Despite her being new and not knowing much, she's quick to take charge and be the leading voice.

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Egads, what an eventful day! First the beans, then the gate, then the flowers! Had I known things could go this wrong around here, I don't think I would have offered myself for this position. I thought I could handle it, and some days I don't think I can, to be frank. However, it's my duty to keep everyone safe! I have to stop it at the entrance, whatever it is, and do my best to make sure it's only good things coming through. Why did I accept all this responsibility? Ooohhhhh…

Anyway, I'm talking about yesterday. I couldn't get the grinder in the lower commons to turn and grind my coffee beans. I had to ask for help of course, but did anyone help me? No! They just laughed and asked if I was trying to make music or breakfast. I don't get it. They're all kind of mean and I would have hoped they could appreciate the dragon keeping them safe. You're all ungrateful, I told them outright. Oh, well. I suppose the life of a guard is thankless, but I really would like some appreciation once in a while, even if I only just started.

Then could you believe it? Once I get to the gate, out of coffee and apparently already out of luck, it was wide open! Thankfully, two very large fellows were standing out front -- I'm assuming the night shift realized this and called in for another solution. Ghostriver, how could you let this happen on your watch? I didn't even catch her in passing, I don't know where she had run off to. What could have been more important than keeping watch on your shift? Goodness, the words I have for her when I see her next.

"Connor! Where's Connor? Can't we have him fix this?" I had shouted, feeling very upset ( I still am, wouldn't you believe it ).

"Ghostriver sent for him earlier this morning." Echo stated so matter-of-factly.

"And I assume she called for you two until he's able to get out here?"

"Indirectly." the other replied. His dark scales looked so familiar, and I saw him around a lot but I still didn't know his name. "Kamo sent us out after hearing."

"Kamo..hoah.. hoalii?" I stumbled out. The wildclaw's name was hard for me to say.

The two imperials nodded, looking bored.

"Huh! Well alright then."

After that short briefing, I settled in at my post, choosing to ignore the fact that I was the last to know about any of this. Me, the daytime entrance watch, just as -- if not even more -- important as the nighttime watch. Whatever! At least it didn't take too long before the first pink rays of sunrise broke through some cloud cover. It really would have been a beautiful moment had there not been those two huge noodles panting with their big lungs. Loud. I could hardly hear the waves crash. Even still, I hoped they'd still be there with me for a while to keep me company. It could get really lonely if no one was coming in.

"Hey, good morning. You know the drill," the dark imperial spoke out all of a sudden.

"Huh?" I sat up, looking around. How did I not see the colorful herbalist approaching? Jeez, that was embarrassing!

"Good morning." The skydancer had plopped his satchel on my counter (someday I hope to have all the scratches sanded out of the wood, even if that was nearly impossible). He always seemed to look tired, like he didn't get much sleep. I kinda felt bad for him, but then again, if he chose to always go out collecting stuff at night, I didn't feel that bad. Plants don't have a schedule, buddy!

"And there's these for you, too," he added, with outstretched claws full of flowers not yet in bloom. In fact, they looked like they still needed another few weeks before those bulbs opened up!

"I mean, I appreciate it? But I like flowers that are, y'know, flowers, not just stiffer stalks of grass still." What was this guy trying to pull?

Everyone snorted.

"What?" I didn't find anything to be particularly funny.

"He's giving them to you for inspection, not to ask you out, Matrix." Echo explained.

Wow, I sure felt like a fool then.

"They're ugly!" I pointed out. "Nothing more to notice." I gave them a sniff; nothing seemed off or wrong, nothing gave me any weird vibes. I rummaged through his satchel, too; nothing too interesting in there.

"There, you're good. Any personal effects not presented, any contact with outside clans?" I did my best to sound like I didn't care. I didn't want him or anyone else knowing that I was embarrassed.

"No, and no. Need me to spin for you?" the herbalist compliantly offered.

"No, I think you're good MorningLight. Head on in," dark imperial jerk announced.

"You're good to go, head on inside!" I quickly chimed. That was my thing, I got to give the say.

We watched as he slung his satchel across his chest again and grabbed those flower stems. I remember thinking then that I absolutely would never make the mistake again of assuming his flowers were for me. It's not like I would really want them, anyway. I wouldn't want a pretty dragon like that, so sad-looking, to be rejected by an even prettier dragon like me; I'd break his heart. I'd break it and it would fall apart and plip, plop in pieces into the waves crashing below.

I need someone more, I thought then as I kicked back and watched the rest of the sunrise over the sea. Little did I know at the time that I would be welcoming someone much, much more later on.