There's just something about the cold that calls to me. A peace seems to fill my soul when the first snow of the year falls. When humans don more clothes and start spending more time indoors. When you can see your breath in the air, and you curse as you shovel snow out of your drive in a hurry so you won't be late for work. The peacefulness of the half frozen water under moon light. The beauty of it all. Yes, something about the cold just makes me feel at home.
  I watch the city bustle as people rush to their destinations from my perch on a park bench. No one is inside tbe park, the snow only slightly disturbed with footprints along the path. But outside, the city is rushing. As if trying to keep warm with all of the movement. I told my head back and close my eyes, blocking out the city noises for a second. I can almost feel the fur of my god sister brush my finger tips as I remember the place I grew up. Smell the damp earthy scent of our den at the foot of the mountains. Oh so far from here.
  But then the strong scent of straight coffee and a more subtle sent of molten rock still cooling fills my nose and I open my eyes. A man stands before me, holding both a cup of coffee and a red wool coat, arm raised as if about to touch me. He drops his hand. "Oh, hi." I tilt my head to the side, studying him. He's maybe six foot, with broad shoulders and thick muscles. Tan skin, dark eyes, almost black, slightly pointed ears, a square jaw. A black long sleeved shirt, blue jeans, and brown boots. The coat must be his.
  When he realises I'm not going to respond he speaks again. "You should try to stay warmer." I raise my eyebrows at his gruff voice, noting his slightly sharpened teeth, as he holds the coat and coffee closer to me. Then snort. "I'm not homeless. I can afford my own coffee and clothes, thank you." His eyes skim over my white v-neck t-shirt, fingerless gloves, black jeans, and sneakers. Before he can speak again, I do. "Besides, I thought dragons were greedy. Keep your things, I happen to enjoy the cold."        Ignoring how his eyes narrow I lay my head back again and close my eyes.
  After a few moments he drapes tbe coat over my front, leaning close so his scent becomes clearer. His breath fans my face for a second, then is gone, and i can hear the crunch of his boots on the snow as he walks away. I open my eyes to see the coffee placed next to me. Then watch as he disappears into the street. I huff a near silent breath. Well, if that wasn't weird, I don't know what is.
  Despite my claims of not wanting tbe coat, I slip it on once I have lost sight of him, buttoning it up and lifting tbe hood over my head. It nearly swallows me, but is pleasantly warm. He must have just taken it off. I inhale the firerey scent, closing my eyes. Dragon indeed. What is he doing the the city? So far from his own home? And what is he doing giving out things? Dragons are selfish creatures after all, its no secret, and detest sharing things.
  I pick up the coffee and take a sip, mind wandering. Is he like me? Taken from his home and kept as a pet to humans? Lost, and not knowing which direction will take him back where he belongs? Was he groomed as I was to fit into society? Is that why he gave me his coat? Or was it something else? Did he sense the beast in me?
  I flinch as my phone vibrates in my pocket. Then take another sip of the coffee, blanking my mind. It's probably my roommate, wondering why I'm late, again. I had agreed to go to a movie with her and her boyfriend. She said her boyfriend had someone he thought I might like. And while I had no interest in dating, Ella would not shut up until I agreed. And I did agree, because I had wanted to go to sleep. She'll be mad at me for ditching, but this is what she gets for trying to force me. My phone stops vibrating, then starts again seconds later. My hands flex on tbe coffee cup, and I pull it out, turning it off without looking.
  A few more minutes and I get up, slowly strolling tword my apartmnent. My "parents" bought it for me at the end of my first year of college, a reward for doing good on my own. My second year I decided I couldn't stand the empty space and put an add out for a roommate. Four years and a bachelors degree in Photography later, Ella and I are pretty close friends. Close enough that I told her about my strange childhood and unknown bloodlines. I toss the cup when I finish the coffee and all too soon I'm unlocking my apartment door.
  And unfortunately Ella is waiting. She springs up from her boyfriend, Brian, lap. "Ivory! Where have you been?! You're an hour late!" I sigh as I close and lock the door, kicking off my shoes. "I went to the park. Like I always do." I say in a monotone, heading for the kitchen. But she cuts me off, grabbing my wrist and dragging me tword the bathroom. "I knew it! Which is why I gave you a time two hours earlier than when the date is planned. But you only have thirty minutes, so hurry up and shower!" I growl and go to protest, but she slams the bathroom door in my face.
  "Hurry up!" Grinting my teeth I turn on the water and strip, getting in. Despite loving the cold, I love burning hot showers even more. Something I definatly prefer from the mortal lifestyle over animal lifestyle. After five minutes Ella is barging in and dragging me out the shower. I swear she's so dramatic and aggressive. Why can't she accept I don't want to date? Especially a human?
  She drags me into my room and waits while I dry off before shoving clothes at me. I don the matching black lace bra and paty set, but raise my eyebrows at the black ripped leggings and black crop top with lace sleeves. 'Its his favorite color." She says as an explanation. Of course. I don't bother arguing, just dress, then sit so she can do my hair. As she pulls and pins my hair up, I apply black eyeliner in a cat eye, silver eyeshadow, and pink rose blush, with clear lip gloss. When Ella is done she goes to my closet and I study myself. She gave me a half up, half down style, somehow swooping the edges of my silvery blonde hair. My ice blue eyes are slightly cold, detached, even to me. I have high cheek bones and decent sized blood red lips, and skin white as ivory. That's how my "parents" named me.
  I'm small in frame, standing at five foot six, with solid but lean muscles on my airy build. When Ella appears at my side, I take the black knee high socks and black combat boots from her, pulling them on. "Where'd you get the coat from?" She asks, and I shrug. I don't plan on talking to her if she's going to make me go through with this. She sighs, looping her arm in mine as she pulls me to the front. "Come on, have faith in your best friend! I promise you're going to like him." I just roll me eyes as Brian stands. He grins at me. "Yeah, don't you trust us?" He teases. I narrow my eyes at him, my chest vibrating in a barely audible growl. Ella flicks my nose but Brain just laughs. Bloody bullies. They belong together.
  As I often do, I find myself wishing to be anywhere but in this busy city, filled with people. As I allow Ella to help me into my new coat, I long to be free again. It took me two years to adapt to being a 'normal' person. But they could not completly train the beast out of me. And I will return to my true home one day. I follow the pair outside and slip into tbe back of the small car, ignoring them as they try to get me to talk. Instead I stair at the sky, counting down the seconds until this noght is finally over.

And there you have it. Another project I'll find hard to dedicate myself to. This one though, orginates from a dream I had recently. I hope you enjoyed. Comment. Vote. Share.