Daydream - Maxine Diela

They always got themselves into trouble, no matter what anyone did to stop them. A group of us stood outside the library watching two wyverns getting yelled at by one of the librarians. My guess is that they tried scaling the seventeen kilometer tall library again, but who really knows with these two? Sletch and Fiorg are their names, and the townsfolk have made them synonymous with trouble. Sletch and Fiorg are probably the most mischievous beings anyone has ever met, yet they are the most lovable creatures in the world.

They took flight once the librarian had stepped inside. Her black and white robe got stuck on the door handle, and we stifled our laughter quicker than you could say "Holy gribnack". Sletch and Fiorg were flying low, just barely skimming the shimmering water that engulfed our planet. The tip of their wings traced the surface leaving behind a sight to behold. As far as we know, lindwurms are the only inhabitants of this vast ocean, other than mollusks of course. The fish however, swim in the sky with the rest of our winged friends. If you're lucky enough, you'll see an occasional pod of whales travel around the city. The fish are abundant, and are only hunted by the dragons, wyverns, drakes, wyrms, amphitheres and lindwurms.

It's a peaceful life. Living in trees that are tens of kilometers tall, intertwined with bridges and string gardens. The string gardens, although abundant, are rather narrow, hence their name. They run along the bridges and they're harvest is free for the taking. The cats often play among these plants, and can even be found taking a nap in them. These aren't the ordinary cats that you're thinking of though; these cats are twice the size of a normal domesticated cat, with the horns of a ram and the wings of a hippogriff, all proportionate to their size of course.

The creatures of our world are what the rest of the universe would call "mutants" or "monsters" but really, they're neither. They're depicted as creatures of the dark in almost every corner of the universe, except here, we know their true nature. If they were on Earth, soft and fluffy would be their aesthetic.

A flock of minokawa and lightning birds zipped past us, playing a game that nobody could really understand, but enjoyed watching it nonetheless. They spiraled up and dived back down, creating a beautiful dance of symmetry as they glided along. The minokawas and lightning birds fell into a single file line and circled up the library, disappearing into the green-covered branches. The townsfolk carried on with their business as they disappeared out of sight. Around here, it was not uncommon to be late because the dazzling dances of the minokawas and lightning birds had caught your eye.

I start across an old bridge leading towards the market. The lush plants along the bridge were beginning to grow a little too much. This side of the city had come close to abandonment. The "land" that we had found to live on turned out to be a dragon that had been deep in slumber for thousands of years. Oh well, not much we could do about that.

The bridge creaked under my weight, but remained steady. The plants drooped over the railing and continued growing downward. I carried on my way to the market. I had forgotten what I needed to buy at this point, but I figure I will know when I am there.

I heard a ruffle in the leaves nearby, and then a figure caught my eye. What was seemingly a plant had unfolded to reveal that it is in fact, a baby dragon. They stared up at me with beady black eyes that shone in the sunlight. They let out a tiny growl as they waddled towards me.

"Hello there little fellow." I say while crouching down to pet their head. 'Twas a rather adorable creature; one certainly could not resist taking care of such magnificence.

"I'm going to call you Strompi." I say with a wide smile painted across my face. Strompi jumped up and down with joy. I'd take a guess that they're not able to fly just yet. I carry on walking towards the market, making sure that Strompi stays close by. They waddled from side to side looking rather giddy; they still had that childlike innocence that people around here love so much.

The market was starting to filter into sight. The bright colours and pointed roofs started becoming more and more visible through the growth of green that had started to thin. Sletch and Fiorg circled above the market keeping a watchful eye for any unattended fish nearby. I giggled to myself and wondered if they ever weren't thinking of getting up to mischief.

"You'll love it here." I glanced down at my feet to see a now cowering little dragon. "It'll be alright. Sure, it gets a bit rowdy at times, but you'll fit in nonetheless." Strompi perked up their shoulders a bit more in an attempt to look fierce. The act made me chuckle.

We continue down the pathway, passing multiple shops and a wide assortment of stalls. Banners had been planted everywhere for an upcoming fair to be held at the local diner. It was decently sized, but couldn't fit more than half of the participants that had already signed up. They're names were displayed on a signboard next to the stall where you'd make reservations.

The market was bustling with business today. Most of the townsfolk had come out to do who knows what. I make my way to the fresh food side of the market, with Strompi sticking closer to me than glue could ever hold, their paws brushing ever so lightly over my ankle from time to time.

We had just made it to the fresh food side of the market when something in the sky caught everybody's eye. I looked up out of pure curiosity, and much to my surprise, it was not the lightning birds and the minokawas that they were beaming at. Sletch and Fiorg had decided to drape the market in flowers and lush vines.

I sigh with a tad of relief, "At least there's no fire this time." I say, making the merchant chuckle. "Y'know Barnibus, they'd get into a lot less trouble if they did harmless stuff like this."

"There's no doubt about that. young lass." He replied in a slightly ragged voice. "What'll it be today, Skye?"

"Well you see, that's just the thing isn't it? I seem to have forgotten, but I assumed I'd remember once I'd gotten here."

"Well while you're here, why not get some fruit for your little friend? They've been eyeing the oranges and berries for quite some time.

I look down to realize that Strompi is no longer stuck to my side, but is instead perched up on the counter glaring hungrily at the fruit.

"Right, I'll take a bag of berries, and another bag of oranges." I say whilst getting Strompi off the counter. They weren't as heavy as I thought they were. I'd assumed they were decently heavy based on their size, but they weighed as much as a tiny stump.

Barnibus rounded up my order, and placed it on the counter. "It's on the house. Your friend seems eager to dig in."

I smile kindly at him, "I'll see you next week, Barnibus. Take care in the meantime and say hello to the family for me!" I said as I walked away from the stall with Strompi hopping and skipping at my side.

As we walk back home, I peel oranges and toss them to Strompi who devours them hungrily. I decided to take the same way back that we came just because it was the most peaceful route home. By the time we had gotten close to the abandoned area of the city, it had already gotten quite late.

The sun never rose or set, but instead, it would travel along the horizon, starting in the west, moving clockwise towards the east, and all the way around back to the west. It's rather wonderful, having the view of dawn forever painted in the sky. It's magical. Then again, what isn't magical?

We reached my home just as the sun reached the east. I invited Strompi inside, and they immediately leaped onto my unmade bed.

"Goodnight, little one." I throw a blanket over them and pat them on the head. I guess I'm sleeping on the couch tonight. I don't really mind, seeing as that's where I fall asleep most often. I emptied the bags of leftover fruit onto the counter and dug through my cabinet for a fruit basket or a bowl of some sort. I eventually gave up, and collapsed onto the couch. It had seemed that only a minute had passed, yet sleep had already engulfed my eyes.

This world is truly a magical place.

⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫

I woke up in a cold sweat. My shirt was soaked in perspiration, and my sheets were strewn across the bed and falling onto the floor. I turn to face my alarm clock, the number glows a daunting red, the kind of red that makes you feel as if you're staring into the eyes of your darkest enemy. 04:27. It was still dark outside, and the sun had just barely begun to rise.

I hear my cat running down the hallway towards my bedroom and I throw myself out of bed to go open the door for her. As I walk past the mirror, on my way to the door, I catch a glimpse of something. I look around to no avail.

"'It was probably my imagination running wild again." I muttered lowly to myself. "After all, it's only four-thirty in the morning."

I continue on my way to the bathroom, making sure to leave the door open for my cat. Her name's Lolly. Don't bother asking; it's a story for another day.

I flip the switch for the bathroom light and it flickers to represent a dim life. I stare at the person I see in the mirror. It is me, but it does not feel like my body. I decide to push my thoughts aside until later, and focus on my morning routine, which consists of: brushing my teeth, having a shower, getting dressed, making lunch and breakfast for my father and I, and feeding our pets. 'Tis a dull routine, but I do try to make the best of it.

We were running late on this particularly gloomy morning. 'Twas not like me at all to be tardy, but my mind was elsewhere, trying to escape this horrid reality that entraps us all. Or, perhaps that's just me. I throw my backpack into the backseat of the car, and jump in seconds later. Father starts the car whilst turning the radio on. Both of us are silent, the only noise in the car is protruding out of the radio.

My mind starts to drift towards another reality.

"I have some time. Maybe not a lot, but I have at least 20 minutes until I get to school." I think to myself. My surroundings start seeming distant and unreal. Soon the motion of the car and the sounds around me do not faze me anymore.

I've slipped away into the world of magic, once more....