10 10 Emerald’s Games

That winter they played games in the snow. Sometimes they conversed about solstice. Emerald longed to see the greens and blues move through the sky. Joon had yet to travel north during that time, so he had yet to see the lights. He listened attentively and began to long to see the spectacle too. He even asked his father about them and had he seem the dancing lights in the sky.

The solstice always brought back memories of Joon's mother to Blue Flame. Joon knew where his mother lived is where the event happened. The topic made his father talk of his mother often. Blue Flame's heart still belonged to her.

Emerald taught Joon many games. She was a creative positive energy. They played chase and popped out of to surprise one another. Moreover, riddles and thought games were their favorite activity. Emerald would ask, "What can fly without wings?" Joon pondered and looked all around him. 'Was it obvious?', he thought.

The game he enjoyed most was the kissing game. One summer evening, during a full bright moon, Emerald started the game.

As they laid on the tall grass under the bright night sky, they talking about the moon's many changing faces. The air was warm, but a very light breeze helped the day depart. Emerald leaned close to Joon, and changed subjects quickly, " You've ever been in love."

Joon perked up from his relaxed state. Alert now he said, "How do you know? You're assuming."

Emerald was glad to catch him by surprise. Now she had the upper hand in this game. "Because, you're too young." She stood up. She started towards the grassy brook and strolled around the water bank. She knew he would follow.

He did as expected. He stumbled onto his feet to catchup. "I am very experienced in this world.", he said eagerly. "You wouldn't believe the things I've done.", he continued, " I've eaten a mighty black bear, ferocious tiger, and a rare kakapo bird. I've flown higher than the birds in the sky..."

She interrupted his before his bosting could go on, " But never been in love, or even kissed a femme." As she taunted him, she tilted her head and glared in his direction with a playful smile.

Suddenly Joon felt inadequate. His face could not hide the embarrassment from Emerald's view. He retorted, "You don't know that."

Emerald snapped back at his childish disposition, "Then why after all this time have you not kissed me?" The question came out louder then she intended.

His head snapped upright into place. 'Was that her goal?', his thoughts shifted. He pondered a moment, then began his first transformation. He tried to match his form to different beautiful elements he had previously ingested. His hair flowed long white strains, like the mane of a white stallion. It moved and danced in the breeze. It had a hue of blue like his scales. The scales flattened and smoothed to the texture of a wild boar. The bones in his frame moved and consolidated to a primates upright structure. He stood on two legs with two arms hanging from his sides. His form was tall, athletic, and slender with skin that gleaned under the moon light. Joon's eyes sat, naturally narrowed and a lovely gray, relaxed and looking at Emerald.

He won her game. With the riddle now solved, she reached up her arms around his neck and kissed him intensely. He took a second to find the rhythm, but learned quickly. Joon wrapped his arms around Emerald and enjoyed the game.