The Secret Garden

[saerwen]

Damion knew it. She thought that he was lying. She thought that he was absolutely looney. Why on earth would anyone believe that anyone,mythical or not could be older than at th most 500 or so years? They would be called fools. But then, Damion noticed that she actually seemed to accept it as true. He laughed at her comment. “Yeah, I think that I am doing okay. I will give you some free information. My hair is white because I am an ice wielder, and the reason that I have lived so long is because I am an ice dragon. Ice dragons have prolonged life, not immortality, but rather prolonged life.” She was looking very deeply into his eyes, no one could usually stand to look at his pale eyes for very long. They were so white in the sun. He didn't look away though. If she wanted to look then he wouldn't stop her. “Well, I wouldn't tell Neron. It might blow the poor blokes mind... Too bad Jaedon already knows. She found out when she saw WWII and WWI clips in one of the many in my mind. She was stuck in the mire that is my brain.” he smiled at the thought of Jaedon tripping over the memories and problems in his mind.

Jaedon had retreated as quickly as she could so that if he wanted to get her back she could run. She turned quickly to see what was going on with the mess of a man behind her. She died laughing. He was crossing his eyes trying to locate the mud. She had never thought that she would see that kind of face on him, but this was absolutely perfect. She continued to giggle as he started to talk to her. He was in denial. That was hardly charming, in fact that was mocking everything that was charming. If her wanted to try some charm, then he needed to start working on it. Then it came...the oh so cutting remark. She was sick of this, and now she was getting a little more than upset, she was mad. “Well you were obviously stupid enough to not be able to differentiate between a damsel and a demon. Funny how one of the same kind can't recognize me for what I am.” She narrowed her eyes and glared at him. What a heartless thing.

[»Míríel«]

Miriel smiled also at the thought of Jaedon getting stuck in some memory. Jaedon never had really tried to search out anything in her own mind. Now that she thought about it, Jaedon had never ventured in her mind besides trying to manipulate her to do one thing or the other. Miriel was starting to wonder why, perhaps Jaedon had already seen her past but Miriel hadn't sensed her presence. Oh, these thoughts were not very pleasant. The thought of Damion running around during WWI was very interesting, but she just couldn't imagine him. “Did you fight?” Her eyes widened. “So you are an ice dragon.” She whispered slightly then let out a little laugh, “No wonder Neron and you don't get along. Fire and ice, how intriguing.”

Neron narrowed his eyes at Jaedon. He didn't like this one bit. “You think I like messing things up. You like messing up peoples lives even more.” His form got the usual dark look. “As for being stupid, how can I tell the difference when all the females I have been in contact with have turned into vipers before me.” His eyes hardened. “Miriel being an only exception. As for the telling the difference, you call me a demon, well it takes one to see one.” He turned from her and started to walk away. Why did this lady cause him so much trouble. It seemed like they both caused each other the equal amount of problems. Both had a dark past and a temper that could be inflamed very quickly. “I am getting tired of your words Jaedon.”His gaze lingered on Miriel and Damion talking, he wasn't sure he liked that very much, but he didn't feel like interrupting them.

[saerwen]

“Fight? You mean in the World Wars?” He asked in a light-hearted voice. “Well, if that is what you are talking about, then yes I did. I never really meant to fight, but I got dragged into it. I had been in Japan when the war started and they were recruiting everyone that they could to serve in the army. Everything seemed like it was put on hold for that one purpose. They wanted to conscript me because I had been living there as a resident for more than 5 years, but I was still listed as a German citizen, so it was a little mixed up. I never really got out of it, they just sent me over to Germany, who then said that due to God and country I was going to fight. I eventually deserted from the German army and made it to the British Embassy which gave me passage to America after I had proven that I was loyal. The first World War was a little bit more gruesome, so I amleaving that one out of the picture. Just know that I never wanted to fight in either.” He chuckled about what she had said, “Yes, that is probably the biggest difference between us, and I am sure that it will cause some grief later.”

“Forgive me if that is all that I learned how to do, mess up people's lives. I never learned about anything else Neron.” she just stared at him with deep anger building in her eyes. “The only reason that women turn into vipers in your hands is because you don't behave like a gentleman, you don't really show any care, and you are incapable of controlling your anger. With such attributes do you really think that women would actually go out of their way to make sure that they don't treat you as horribly as possible.” She just scoffed when he said that it would take one to know one. She was in her laying position now. “Neron,I was tired of your words, your voice, and almost your face about two sentences into this. You are sick and tired of me, poor baby...Deal with it, because that is life.”

[»Míríel«]

Miriel looked thoughtful at Damion “Yes, I bet the first war was gruesome, but the second was even more so if you consider the concentration camps. But the first world war was a very interesting time. It change the way of war-fare, and some of the most interesting people were around then.” Miriel moved beside Damion and squatted to look at a small flower. It's little petals were so delicate and fine it seemed like just the slightest breeze could crush it. She touched the petal gently, savoring the silky smooth texture on her fingers. “I am glad to know that you didn't want to fight in either.” She stood up and looked at him with a smile, “Though I should have known that by your temperament. It's nice to see people that don't fight just for the fun of it for once. So much harm comes from it... so much.”

“You don't know that Jaedon, how do you know that I haven't acted in a more gentlemen like manner to other women? “ He glared at her, locking his eyes with hers. “Though you just happen to be right, I have tried to be a gentlemen but found it to be a bloody waste of time. If you cannot hang out with me, the true me, then you better leave now. I prefer to have friends that truly see me and not a mask in front of my face.” He could feel the anger building in his soul, “As for being tired of me, well Jaedon I have been tired of you ever sense we first met. You have been a disease to my soul and well being.” His voice hissed, “No wonder you are called a witch.” Turning around he strode off away from the group, he didn't care if Miriel was going to call him back or if Jaedon was going to pop her top he was sick of this and was in no mood for Jaedon taking out all her foul mood on him. As he was walking away he could feel his body fighting against his human form, it was as if he couldn't control his limbs. He knew what was coming, this always happened to him at the most inconvenient times. So it wasn't long before he tripped. But he didn't catch himself, instead fell face first into the ground. So he lay there for a moment fighting back the claustrophobia that was racking his system before picking himself up. Hy did humans have to have such small and tight skin, it was disturbing.

[saerwen]

“Yes, the wars were gruesome. From my side of the line, I escaped World War II with little inconvenience to myself, by World War 1 was a little different in that respect. It is hard though, whenever you watch the people that you fought and bled with die while you go on to live, not being able to see them anymore. It is like a piece of you goes missing, and you never find it again. Some times I feel too old, like I have lived too long. I have seen things that not many others have seen. It hurts. But then you realize that you are just another person walking through just another time in history. It is humbling to think about the fact that out of all the people in the world, you just so happened to be the one to remember it all. It doesn't make you special, it makes you privileged.” He look to a nearby flower fondness in his eyes. He loved those cute little things in life that gave joy to everyone in any way that they could. Flowers were another part of the world that displayed great innocence and all of the quiet love that lived in every part of creation. He really liked talking to Miriel. She was sweet, and also held an innocence within her, but one of a different kind from that of the flower. She was very good.

“Oh Neron, don't give that, me for me, crap.” she was snapping at him like the words were bits of bone she was crunching with her teeth. “I know you. I know what you're like. I've been around people like you my whole life, and they all get nothing from me... absolutely nothing. And even if I did try to stay away from you it would prove useless because you manage to show up in every single spot that I go. Even if I tried to keep away from you I would never succeed. I am almost beginning to think you are stalking me.” She was sour now. She was about to crawl into his mind just so that she could get on his nerves. Then he said something that surprised her. “Really? I have been plaguing you? How on earth could I have harmed your well being, all I can do is twist you mind, which is rather discombobulating, but still, that is not generally harmful to ones well being. Or is the dandelion telling me that something so trivial is hurting such a big boy?” She smirked when he fell. She got up and walked over to him. She stared straight at him with a cocked grin, it was cruel and mocking.“I have to admit, I have never done THAT before, you little lizard.”

[»Míríel«]

Miriel nodded at Damion, “Then you were very lucky, very lucky to escape some things in WWII.” She looked up at him, “Yet to see so much in WWI, that must have been terrible.” Her eyes grew distant. “Many times I have thought about wanting to live forever, its part of my kind I guess you could say, though the common knowledge is that we die by get re birthed. “ She smirked at him, “A very tricky business but even this has its flaws.” Her gaze dropped down to the flower again. “But I used to dream of seeing the world, and seeing so many things that others don't see. But now, it seems that death was for a purpose, memories can do many things to you.” She turned turned to Neron who seemed to be having a heated conversation with Jaedon, but she just let them be. Those two couldn't be together long before they were at each others throats. Straightening up she brushed off her pants and looked back to Damion. “You have so much to tell Damian, so much I'm sure we all could benefit by learning.” She smiled crookedly, “You should write a book.” She laughed gently. It seemed that when she was around Damion her whole being was putat ease, she could laugh easier and think clearer. Perhaps thatis why she shared some history with Damion. “You know I haven't been able to laugh so much in a long time. Thank you Damion.”

Nerons fists clenched as his voice lowered to a dangerous whisper. “You know nothing about me. Just because you have seen some snippets of my past you have begun to think that you know everything about me. You have so much to learn Jaedon, so much. There is a lot you have not seen.” His eyes began to have a snake-like appearance. “There is a lot you do not understand.” He turned from Jaedon unable to bear looking at her any more. “Yes, you have been plaguing me, you have deprived me of sleep, and risen in me such memories that I would prefer to forget. You remind me of myself, way to much.” Then it came, he knew it would she had to throw back his words at him. “ Yes, I suspect you haven't you have to much poise for that, you little witch.” He spit out the word poise like it poison. Neron kept looking away from her as he lifted his armband up to his forehead to wipe away ab it of blood that was there. A head meeting the gravel pathway was not a pleasurable thing.

[saerwen]

Damion was listening, but rather absently. He was having fun studying a bug that ad attached itself to one of the knock-out rose bushes. There were so many vines all over the place, and some of them were chocking the other plants, but the rose bush had yet to be touched by them. They were a beautiful pink that seemed to have a little bit of coral in them, giving it the look of a shining gem. “Immortality would be unbearable I think. I take comfort in the fact that I know I will die at some point. Whether it be from old age or other causes, I am sure that I will not be scared to die. It will probably be more like a sweet release for me. I am not likely to die for another thousand years. Gosh that sounds so bleak...Oh well” he laughed at himself. “...I guess that I will have the chance to write that book, eh?” He just shook his head as he thought of such a thing. “The world is interesting, very interesting, but once you have been all over it, the glory of it starts to die away. Living alone, in a small place after seeing such great things makes you feel very small.” He was happy like this. Talking in a relaxed manner with a friend that was in the same manner and mind as you. “Oh Miriel, making people laugh is my job in life. It is the best job in the world and I couldn't love it more. If I can make you laugh and feel a lot better then I am absolutely delighted.

“Neron, Neron, Neron...” Jaedon shook her head in mock disappointment. “I never said that I knew everything about you, I simply said that I know you, that I know what you are like. I know what kind of category you fit into, there are only a few.” She was curious now. “How have I been depriving you of sleep. Tell me Neron, because I know I didn't do it physically. Why don't you explain this riddle to me, maybe then I can solve to problem. As for the mirror image, it is likewise a shared concept. However, I must say that you are one freaky looking reflection. I could well go without it, but alas...you are here.” she sat back down on the ground and started to pick at the grass, uprooting it like a cat needing its claws into a blanket. She was agitated, and for some reason doing this was very calming...It was just one of her little ticks that came around when she was mad. She made no response to his last remark, just bent her head low and continued to kneed the ground with her fingers. Her hair fell in front of her face, hiding her eyes. Her head was almost resting on her knees which were drawn up close to her, her little black flats bobbing up and down in nervous actions. Her jeans had a little bit of dirt on them, but nothing bad, she could smell it though. For some reason, the dirt always had specific smells for her, it was the easiest way to track people...where did their dirt come from. It was always different colors, different composure, and different smell. The dirt in this garden smelled like all of the scents of the flowers mashed up into one ugly combination. It as just nasty, way too fragrant. She didn't look upto inspect the rest of her, she didn't want to because it felt like her heart was hurting.

[»Míríel«]

“Well then you are very good at your job.” Miriel smiled sweetly at Damion. “Life truly is to serious, laughter should be a law.” She shook her head and looked around her The vines about them were so wild. It was an untamed beauty that made this place so magical. Her eyes drifted to a sculpture of a bird, her eyes studied it closely as she continued. “Yes, I am sure living for such a long time would be a trial, to see so much and know that the people you meet won't live on...” Her gaze grew more intent as she looked at the sculpture, “I don't know ow you bare it, I have lost only a couple of close friends in my short life, but you have lost dozens. Never had I thought of such a thing before.” Miriel suddenly had a different outlook on her life. Everything else would fade away but she would live on. It was a dreary thought.

“You don't have to say it, it was what you meant.” His eyes drifted to her nervous habit of kneading the grass. “I can't explain to you why you haunt me Jaedon. It is a mystery to me. Perhaps it is the infection you have injected into me. Perhaps it is because no one else has seen so much of me before. Whatever it is, I wish it would go away.” His eyes drifted toward Miriel and Damion again hey were so peaceful, talking like old friends. A slight longing came to hi heart. “Look at us Jaedon, squabbling like a couple of kids, why can't we just talk like them?” He motioned to the two. “If we keep going like this we are going to destroy not only our relationship but theirs. “ He smirked, 'Though I'm not so sure destroying ours would be such a bad thing.”

[saerwen]

A butterfly came floating in front of Damion eyes. He reached out slowly and rested his hand among some flowers. It was not long after that a butterfly was revealed to be sitting upon his hand. He slowly drew it away from the bushes as he turned to Miriel. The little creature looked so frail, so fragile, but its beauty was stunning. The bluish green wings were rimmed with a velvety looking black. The small legs of the creature tickled as they felt around and moved the little thing where it willed. It was so light, but it was obvious that size did not matter. This little guy was important to the world.
“It was shocking to realize at first, but then you just realize that you are glad they didn't have to suffer what you suffer now. They found death before they reach 150 years old,and that is a blessing. Loved ones are the hardest to lose, but if you really love them, then you learn to let go.” his eyes clouded as thoughts of long ago came to his mind. Thoughts of a woman with bright blonde hair and laughing brown eyes, a beautiful blue dragon with scales that looked like the rippling water itself, a pair of rings, and a casket, carved out of golden maple with pure silver lining the sides and an emblem of the same stuff on the side. It was not far between that he thought of this woman, and these same things,but being with Miriel made him remember them less often. “Yes,” he said again with a far away thought running itself like a banner in his conjumbled mind. “...you learn to let go.”

“I've infected you with nothing, Neron. Only rubbed my poisonous self of fon you.” she was talking like she was half way into a coma. “Perhaps that is the real mystery that you need to be worrying about Neron... If I am really that contravrsial for you then there must be a reason.” She looked to Damion and Miriel and saw exactly what Neron was talking about. “Damion can do that with anyone. He is so easy going, and knows everything on almost every subject in the world, and if he doesn't know then he can find out in a matter of hours because he reads so fast.” She understood the longing that Neron had. “The reason why? Oh geez, I don't know... Maybe it is because we're both so sarcastic that we can't speak without hurting someones pride, even if they don'tknow it. Or maybe it is because we are so cynical that every word we say is tainted by its foul scent, or perhaps it is because we are both really apathetic and don't really give a care for anyone's problems. The only other reason that I could think of is that we are both so bull-headed and stricken silly with anger when someone says one thing that we don't like. I am sure that there are things I am missing, but I suppose that I am too prideful to take credit for it, or even see it.” she continued to kneed the ground...she was a little more relieved,but she still felt pretty tight.

[»Míríel«]

Miriel watched in wonder as Damion seemed to be lost in his own thoughts. It was something that she had seen Neron do some many times. Both had the same sorrowful look on their face, but itwas a different type of sorrow for Damion, itwas a deeper sorrow then that Neron usually had. Yes, if you truly do love someone you must let them go. It is a strange thing how the world has misconstrued to be a passion, but it really is a selfsacrifical commitment.” She looked at the beautiful butterfly that he had on his hand. Reaching out hers the butterfly soon fluttered over to it and landed on her outstretched hand. “Beautiful creatures, to think that such a thing could come from a worm.” She smiled at the butterfly, “I guess this is a hope for all of us worms eh? Perhaps some of us will turn into butterflies and grace the world with our presence.”

Neron shook his head at Jaedon's first comment, she didn't understand, and how could he make her understand when he couldn't grasp it himself. He flicked his black hair to the side and looked out at the place around him. “Yes and your poison is eating me alive. Though I should have known you would be trouble when I saw you in your true form, cats truly are a pain.” A slight smile came to his face. Then he looked down at the ground to where Jaedon was ripping up the grass. He plucked up a blade of grass and held it out to her. “Don't you see this grass is here for others pleasure?” He dropped the blade of grass and straightened up, “Can't you see you are killing the grass by ripping it up like that?” Neron's lips twitched upward slightly. When she started to mention how bull-headed and cynical they both were he couldn't help it. A deep warm feeling seemed to bubble up from within him. It was something he hadn't felt in a long time, not for many many years. She had described the bother of them with such accuracy and in such a way it seemed to touch something within him. A sound came from him, a rich and melodic tone that had a pleasing and beautiful ring to it. It light up his face in a strange way, making his dark self almost seem to glow with an inner light. For the first time in over 18 years Neron had laughed. It didn't last long, barely long enough for you to realize what it was, and then it was gone. His face became the usual serene straight face it always was, though his green eyes seemed brighter. “We are fiends aren't we Jaedon.” His eyes flicked with amusement.

Miriel was just about to say something else when a sound came on the air, it sounded like laughter. It wasn't her and it definitely wasn't Jaedon, and Damion hadn't opened his mouth, who was it? Her eyes widened, could it be? She turned to look at Neron, he seemed different he had a light about him, something she had never seen before. Miriel couldn't help but stare at him with wide-eyed astonishment.

[saerwen]

Damion just nodded at what she said. It echoed his beliefs. He had not held those beliefs in the beginning, but one person had shone him that the real meaning of love is anything but a feeling...It was an action,a loving person would be willing to do anything for another. It really wouldn't matter what they did, that love would endure because love never dies, it never falls away, it is never forgotten. He was tempted to tell her what was on his mind because he knew that she could tell he was thinking. Then he also turned to listen and watch the strange anomaly that had just occurred.
Neron was laughing.Damion had yet to hear such a sound come from the mans lips. It seemed a strange thing and a wonder because Miriel was fairly gaping. “What on earth is he laughing at? What did Jaedon say or do?” He could hardly believe that Jaedon had actually caused a happy laughter.

Jaedon was kind of taken aback by him laughing, and she wasn't sure what on earth was making him laughing. Then all of a sudden it hit her... Maybe it was because they were so much alike? It was a far cry, but she might have it. She just smiled as she thought about what she had said. Yes, it was strange how thy were very much alike. Her eyes started laughing as she replayed images of them fighting with each other, and then, just poking at each other. Yes, they were accurate. Her smile was sweet, for once it was not tainted by any evil intentions or crafty planning, it was genuinely there because she was having fun. She stopped kneeding the grass and looked up at Neron from her current position. “Yes, we are. My job is to rid the world of crawling fiends, and you're a lizard...Yummy.” she was smiling and she rubbered her stomach as she said 'yummy' showing him that if he were smaller, he would be within eating range. She was purely playing around, and it was obvious. She was enjoying the fact that they were talking for a little while without biting each in the process.

[»Míríel«]

Miriel turned back to Damion with her eyes still wide, “What on earth are they doing over there? I think it is more suspicious if both of them are happy then when they are biting each others heads off...” She cast a quick glance back at the two, “Perhaps they have been out in the sun to long..” The butterfly that had hopped onto her hand decided that now was the time to depart. It's blue wings stretched and soon enough it was fluttering through the air with it's lazy loops. Miriel looked back at Damion, she could tell that the two of them were becoming fast friends. Already she was beginning to understand him more and more. The look in his eyes, that dreamy sorrowful look, told her that he had been close to someone, very close. No doubt that someone was gone. But it was not only the look that gave it away, but his words. “You know always find it interesting to find out the history of people, it really tells you more about the than anything else. It is an intriguing subject, one that I love to pursue. Whether the history is about a country, an battle, or a person, there is always something to learn from it.” She smiled brightly at him, “I am glad that you have shared a piece of your history with me Damion, itrealy was wonderful.”

Neron looked upon Jaedon's smiling face, for once he saw a smile that he didn't have to worry about. It was a clear, happy, smile with no ill will behind it. It was a different side of Jaedon that he actually wanted to see more of. At her mention of eating lizards he make a mock sad face. “And I thought we were just starting to get along.” He turned and walked away as if in an anger fit, but as soon as he passed around one of the high hedges he disappeared. It seemed as though his whole form had just vanished into nothing. Then a bush rustled, then a flower waved its bright face around. Out popped a little black dragon, barely longer then two feet from head to tail. “Though I would like to see you try and rid the earth of me you little witch.” With that he let out a little hiss and scurried away behind another hedge.

[saerwen]

Damion watched as Jaedon smiled. It was good to see her smile like that. He found himself a little jealous that it was someone else that could actually make her happy, but he wouldn't begrudge her the happiness no matter who it came from. He turned back to Miriel. “Well,consider us both even. I learned something new about you today, and you learned something about me. Perhaps this will help us to understand each other a little better. We are friends, yes?” he looked at her with happy eyes. “For I am feeling a little left out. It seems that they are new friends, however strange a pair they might be. What about a friendship right here?”

“Yeah, keep thinking that lizard boy. I am not through with you yet.” she told him as he turned and walked away in his mockingly pouting stance. She was not expecting what came next though. When he came out from the bush Jaedon died laughing. She was laughing so hard that she fell over on her side. Her abs started to hurt from laughing so hard, and so much. She then answered him challenge by hopping up and running after him around the hedge. When she was safely in a dark place in the bushes she changed forms and her panthers eye started to search for the little black dragon. She sniffed the air lightly as she searched. He was close by, but she was having trouble locating exactly where. “Where is that little vermin?” she thought to herself as she quietly padded through the leaves and fallen flower petals, her black coat giving her the perfect protection for such a sport. It's glossy black color made it possible for her to blend in with her surroundings.

Damion turned around again, and he saw Jaedon running behind the hedge, and Neron was no where tobe found. “Now where did those two trouble-makers go?” he looked and looked but failed to find any sign of either of them. “What are they doing?”

[»Míríel«]

Miriel's eyes became very bright at his suggestion, “Yes, we are friends.” She grinned brightly, “ I have to admit I was feeling a bit left out to.” She laughed. “It's strange ow those two were just at each other throats and now..” She turned toward them, “Now they are.....” Her eyes darted around the garden, “Gone?” She looked at Damion, “Yes, what are they doing? What is going on here?”

Neron smirked in his little dragon like way as he saw her padding through the flower right by him. HE had chosen to hide in the pansy's. It wasn't long before he felt a presence near him. Letting out a little hiss he stretched out his neck and tried biting one of her feet and then rushed away behind the rose bushes. This was going to be an interesting game, both of them were a smooth black color, hiding them from view. While he waited for her to find him his mind wandered back to her before she switched forms. Her laughter had rung out in the air in the most delightful way. He had some sort of feeling rise up in him that confused him greatly. Why was he....happy when she laughed in that way? What did it mean and why on earth was he running around in a ridiculously small form? It was pitiful. But he wouldn't change back for the world, well at least not right now. Right now he was going to enjoy the fun, something he hadn't done since he was a green dragon.

[saerwen]

Damion was absolutely clueless as to what was going on. “I am almost tempted to think that they either wanted to get away from our view or they are playing a game.I would not put it beyond Jaedon, but Neron? Naw... there is no way.” He was puzzled at how quicky the moods had been changing in the far corner. They had started off lacidasically playing with each other with ridiculous words, and then they were in a heated fight, and right after that laughter, now they had disappeared! What ever they were up to, it was trouble. “I am going to enjoy hearing the explanation behind this one, methinks.”

When Jaedon found him she was so tempted to just bat him around with her paw,but they he started pecking at her. “Alright, little man, that is it. This means war.”she thought as she batted at his tail as he ran as fast as he could to the bushes. She followed him step by step into the rose bushes. She was searching around for him when she saw his little black tail swerving a little ways away. “Hah, I have you now.” she slowly came forward, so quiet that she couldn't even hear herself. She was closing in every so slowly, but it was almost perfect. She made sure that her footing wasright and then, she jumped for him, paws forward aimed right for him.