Scene F - Aristotle's Hoard

Troy looks out at the sun, now close to setting. "I really do not have time. This may be my last chance to visit, but, I have had the honor of meeting your father - it's not like I can say I came here and 'missed out' on anything in particular."

"It certainly doesn't work like a normal language, but it tells a story all its own. I love magic almost as much as I love adventure. Probably because my dad is such an amazing wizard himself. I mean, he did this," Aurora does a twirl, only barely managing to keep her balance this time. "To me in such a short amount of time. It's simply amazing."

"Truly incredible..." he says. "But, it just wouldn't click. I suppose there had to be something I could get."

Troy laughed. "I suppose I could."
As they neared the front door, however, someone concealed by a large cloak walks by, then pauses. "Do I know you?" she asks with a young woman's voice, turning to Aurora. Aurora turns to see a wolf's muzzle sticking out of the cloak's hood.

Aurora looks at the strange cloaked figure with a look of puzzled innocence. "I don't think so, but I love to meet new people. My name is Aurora!" she says, sticking out her hand for a handshake. "What's yours?"

"Uh, I'm, Vanessa Keld," she says, shaking Aurora's hand.

Troy sniffs. "Who are you hiding from?" Vanessa freezes. "You smell perfectly of nothing... judging from how few people here have a good sense of smell, I'd guess your own people," he says, raising an eyebrow.

Vanessa whispers. "Look, they don't want me 'absorbing foreign culture' or 'getting any ideas,' but I figured if they caught me here I'd only be getting myself in trouble - not like they're going to take issue with the Dragon himself."

"Well," she responds, trying not to pay attention to Troy eyeing her suspiciously, "I was hoping to find "adventure" novels, tales of journeys and heroism and such."

"Oh! You're in luck," Aurora says as she clumsily grabs a few books out of her bag. "I'm a huge fan of adventure novels! I have a ton with me. What's your preference? I've got tales of young heroes going off on quests and maturing, tales of brave adventuring guilds delving deep into dungeons of old, and much more! I've read them all several times. I simply can't get enough."

"I, um, what's yours? My people don't have much save for classic tales... But, well, do you have any about young women running off? Hoping I might be able to sate the urge vicariously..."

"Ah! You want to sate that kind of thirst. Well, let me see here," Aurora begins digging through her bag. "Oooh! How bout this one?" Aurora holds out a book to Vanessa. This one is about Ariadne, a human slave-girl of the Hadean empire who escaped from her cruel masters and went on a grand adventure to achieve true freedom. It's a fun read, although a little sad. My advice though? Living vicariously only works for so long. The more you read, the more you yearn to finally just get out there and adventure for yourself. Books are only a temporary fix. That's why I'm heading out with Troy and others on a boat headed into uncharted waters southeast of here. I'm finally going to experience real adventure for myself, and that feels amazing. The ship is still hiring. You should come along, or find something similar."

"I..." She glances to the side, "No, no I can't dishonor my family like that. I'd love to take the book, though, but I don't know how I'd be able to give it back."

"Um... to abandon them? Yeah, it, would. Save for extraneous circumstances that make it in my people's best interest."

"I would not be asking you to abandon them. I am asking you to be a guardian and companion on my quest. Would it not be a high honor that you personally have been selected by a dragon for protection? We are heading to uncharted lands. Would it not be among the highest of honors to serve your race as an envoy to empires unknown? And what of the wealth that such ventures could bring back for your family? You see, I know you want adventure. There are ways to work around your culture. You just have to look. And lucky for you, a dragon can really shake things up," Aurora says. Then she looks down at herself. "Oh, sorry. That probably just made no sense since I look like this right now. I'm actually a dragon. My father, Aristotle, made me this amulet that lets me assume a human shape."

Vanessa just blinks and stares at Aurora, paces back, leans against the wall and attempts to reconcile this barrage of information. Aristotle's daughter, she mouths, then whispers to herself, "joint venture of royalty... perhaps I could convince them more diplomatic endeavors with Alaria would be worthwhile..." She shakes her head and turns to Aurora. "Assuming you're not pulling my leg, how long of a journey are we talking about? And my people would insist on an additional entourage."

"I... see..." she looks down and shakes her head. "No, I can't leave with no promise to return..."

"Look I've got honor, alright, and frankly more than I'd like. I appreciate what you're trying to do, but no one back home would even be surprised you want me for this."