Strawberry Shortcake

Chapter 23: Dragon Future

“Ok, so you’re telling me that I’m going to live for around one thousand years? How old are you now?” Mirabel suddenly felt a little bit uncomfortable with this man she thought was her peer.

“I’m actually your age, in dragon years! I’m only like thirty in human years which in dragon years is a little over three hundred.” Svend trailed off at the end and hoped Mirabel would focus on the thirty and not the 300. She did not.

“300?! That is most decidedly NOT my age. Are you kidding me? The one guy I actually connect with is not only a dragon, but he’s older than dirt!” Mirabel was a little bit embarrassed to come so close to acknowledging her feelings for Svend outright and a lot a bit shocked that he was so dang old!

“Hey now, dirt? I’m nowhere near as old as dirt! Maybe closer to that beautiful tree over there!” Svend pointed to an enormous sequoia at the edge of their clearing.

“That doesn’t bring me comfort.” Mirabel deadpanned.

“Ok, fine. I’m very old. But you will also live to be very old so it all evens out in the end. Speaking of, you might not be able to visit your family for many more years. Humans tend to notice when their relatives look the same for a few decades in a row. They can’t know you’re a dragon and that would be very hard to explain.” Svend was trying to move away from the age thing but this wasn’t the wisest distraction.

“What? I can’t see my family? What if I have a family? Can my parents meet my children? Am I supposed to just disappear now? What’s the point of living for so long if you can’t spend your life with the people you love?” Mirabel went from slightly annoyed to indignant real quick. She was also blushing like a tomato due to her mention of children. She did not have the delicate blush of a rose, it was more a bright red embarrassment a dragon could see mid-flight. Svend found it endearing none-the-less.

“You’ll be able to visit your family for at least ten more years without them noticing anything. Maybe you can change your appearance like I can! We can practice. Or maybe you’ll only be able to change your dragon appearance since human is your true form. Hmm…. many experiments are in order. As far as children go, they will age normally until they reach adulthood so your family won’t notice anything weird there. Unless the little one forgets themselves and shifts to dragon form. I guess dragon children generally don’t interact with humans until they’re old enough to control their shifting. But our kids might be better than most, as they would have your pure human lineage. More experimenting in the future to be sure!” Svend was genuinely excited to figure out all these nitty gritty details regarding their future life. In his excitement, he may or may not have made a few assumptions. Specifically that they had a future life together.

Mirabel was so shocked by these assumptions she was literally left speechless. Dumbfounded. Jaw hanging open like a fish.

“What’s wrong?” Svend thought about what he had just said. He had thought it was all good news. She could probably visit her family for the rest of her parents’ lives at least. She could bring their kids to meet her family. Oh. Oh. Oooooooh. “Their kids.” He had said “their kids!” They had never talked about marriage or kids or life together for the next 1000 years. Uh-Oh. Maybe he should point out the practicality of their union. Women love practicality, right?

“So, maybe you’ve noticed, we’ve been off on our own for over a month now. And we just disappeared from the blacksmith’s house at the same time. It would be natural to assume we… ran away together. We might have to tell people we’re married so they don’t stone you upon our return. I know, I know, nothing has happened. But you know how these little villages are… would that be such a horrible lie? We wouldn’t have to actually get married until you’re ready, of course.” Svend paused and braced himself for… anything. He really had no idea what her reaction would be.

“Svend. Has the thought ever entered your little dragon brain that I might not want to spend the rest of my shockingly long life with the man who lied to me and manipulated me all for his own selfish loneliness? That maybe, some things are just too much? That I might want to go my own way after you’ve taught me how to function as a dragon?” Mirabel was, in all honesty, not wanting to go her separate ways. But to not even have a choice in the matter was too much. Svend could not just take her compliance for granted ever again.

“Of course. Of course you can do whatever you so desire. I was just so excited. I’m sorry. I would love to spend the next 800 years exploring dragon and human life with you but I completely understand if you can’t trust me or love me ever again. I’m sorry.” Svend’s shoulders sagged. His head dropped. He looked positively abashed. “I’ll leave you be. Just let me know what you need help with to see your family as soon as possible.” Svend walked to the edge of the path and shifted to dragon form. With one last longing glance back he flew off.

Mirabel was still shocked. So many emotions to sort through. She had loved Svend when she was human. She had been ready and waiting for him to profess his feelings so they could move forward, but he never had. Now she knew what had been holding him back. Could she still love him? She didn’t know. But, she knew she didn’t want to lose him in her life altogether. He was the only person who knew everything about her. He was her only confidant. He was her best friend. Time for some introspection. In the meantime, a little sweet treat never hurts! Mirabel whipped up some strawberry shortcake. Svend could smell the biscuits cooking on the fire and came slinking back. Together they ate this delicious truce meal. This is the strawberry shortcake they had.