A Tattoo

"Not before you agree to make the food for me."

"The guy was really hungry it seemed." Flaris thought to herself. Hmm, guess it was understandable since the guy was still growing. She remembered that the brothers that she used to cook for also used to eat twice the amount of food at the orphanage.

"Fine! Fine! I will cook for you. Now tell me about this person from Earth?"

Nodding Wu Long stood up and asked," The day is especially bright. Would you like to go for a walk as we finish our conversation?"

Flaris looked out with longing. She had actually wanted to go out but that General had refused sighting that she would be in danger.. Even if she had landed on a different planet, this was the first time that she had left the dreary surroundings of the orphanage..

Nodding her head, she said," Yes! But is it safe."

Wu Long smiled at her enthusiasm and answered, "Of course it is. You will just need a few things.."

"Of course! Also can you lend me a little money? I have been wearing these clothes for a while now and of course my luggage was left back in the airplane. So, I don't have anything to wear. I am sure my clothes will stand out here. You and General Jen Ting both wear this odd leather type material.."

Wu Long smiled and extended his hand like he had done the first time. And like the first time, she placed her hand in his with the same amount of trust. She had been having trouble explain this to even herself but whenever he held out his hand, she was unable to stop herself from holding it. It was like she had some innate trust on him.

She felt a sudden warmth on her palm and looked down to see a small silver tattoo forming on her hand. It started on the back of her palm and small vines threaded around her fingers and her wrist. Soon a dragon appeared on her hand and she stared in wonder at the elegant lines of the dragon's body. It looked as if it would come to life any moment. Surrounding the dragon was a symbol of two crossed swords and a small inverted heart under them. Flaris rubbed the dragon's head as if trying to erase it but it did not disappear.

Finally she raised her head to question but Wu Long answered," This is for your protection. Once someone sees your wrist, they will know you are under my protection. Also, your clothes are just fine. We have had a few people from Earth over the years and with them they have brought their traditions as well as clothing styles. For now, we are going to just walk around the woods and I will show you where all you can go. I will also arrange the clothes for you. Later, when you have been here for a while and understand the rules, you can roam the planet."

"I am not going to be here that long! Let's go for a walk and then we can discuss the ways to go back. Also, I don't really like tattoos.."

The dragon disappeared from her wrist in that moment making Flaris stare open mouthed as her sentence was left unfinished. She had been about to say that she liked this one. What was with this Wu Long? First he made art on her without her permission and then he made it disappear.

"Hey! Why did you make my tattoo disappear! It was nice!"

Instantly a happy smile appeared on his face and the tattoo re appeared on her hand as he said," It's already there on your hand. You can show it if you like and if you don't then you can simply hide it. This tattoo will also be your money. If you show it to the shop owners, they will know who to send their bills to. We don't have the Earth like currency system here. It is more of a barter system. They will know your clan and know what they are good at.. These swords show that I am a soldier. So if the shopkeeper ever needs protection.. He can come to me."

"Wow! This is so cool! I am liking this place more and more. If I had not wanted my place in the academy on Earth, I would have definitely loved living here!"

Wu Long smiled at the girl's enthusiasm and soon they had walked out into the woods hand in hand. Wu Lon looked at his dragon on her hand and his heart felt contented as he started his explanation," Humans from Earth usually come for mating.. A mating ceremony.."