When I hit the floor, it wasnt a soft landing. I landed on my side on the cold stone floor startling me out of my euphoria and snapping me back to reality. The thoughts started. (Who was the person who just came in? Why am I here? Where am I really?) I thought quickly.
I looked around quickly for somewhere to hide. Under the bed was the obvious choice. I did my best to move. I wasn't used to my legs yet so i just ended up sliding across the floor as best as i could. I laid under the bed amidst the dust bunnies. (They don't clean under here often) I thought. I turned toward the sound of shoes clacking on the stone floor. I heard the girls voice again as the lace monstrosity she called a dress dropped to the floor.
" I really hate having to get dressed up for those dumb parties so Father can show me off to those dumb Noble boys. Why can't I get a dumb egg to hatch.... Wait... Where is it?" The girl asked into the open room. It echoed slightly under the bed. I stare at the shoes as they move toward the cushion. My tongue flicks feeling the cold, slightly stale air where i sit in fear and anticipation of what might happen if she finds me.
I see the girl kneel next to the cushion in what looks like dark tanned leather leggings. Her shoes look like flats with little jewels on them. Her top is white with a flower print. Daffodils... i think. I can't see her head, but i see a pale hand reach for the cushion and pick up a piece of the eggshell on it.
She sits up a little straighter and twists, looking around. Her body points toward the bed and she starts moving toward me on her hand and knees. I suddenly see a slender female face, white like paper, full but not fat. Her eyes are like saphires with a Smokey look. Her lips are red like rubies. ( I should not be sight seeing! I need to get away!) I think as I start backing up. I suddenly feel something wrap around my midsection and drag me out from underneath the bed. A startled hiss escaped me as I was dragged into the light.
I look at what's holding me. To my surprise im being held by what looks to be a ribbon. I follow the ribbon until i see it connecting to the girls right wrist which is held in the air like a mistro. She stares at me as I start trying to get free by knawing on the ribbon to no avail. (What is this thing made of?!) I think.
" A salamander....." she says as she face palms with her left hand. " Of all things, why does it have to be a salamander?" The ribbon suddenly loosens dropping me to the floor with a slap. My hardened redish gold scales absorb the impact making it sound almost like coins hitting the floor. I did my best to slide across the floor again trying to get away from this freakish ribbon. I suddenly felt a hand grab me. "Where do you think you are going." She asks as I felt her lift me from the ground. My tail curled slightly as she raised me to eye level. " She started turning me around here and there as though trying to get a good look at me. " Six legs...him... There's very few salamanders that have that many." she whispered. " Red like fire but you have gold horns. Only high borns in any species have horns." She cocked her eyebrows at me as I just went limp. I just gave up trying to get out of her grip. I just kept looking at her waiting to be put down like some infant for a nap.
" You aren't normal... most salamanders climb into the fire. You hid under the bed. I really do know how to pick em. First I try to form a pact with a ice swallow who cant fly. Now I get a Salamander who's afraid of fire." She puts me on the cushion and goes to her bed and sits with her head in her hands. I think to myself. (Salamanders normally crawl into the fire?) I turned and slowly tried crawling to the fireplace in the room. It took a bit. I tried several times. Stumbled a bit. Finally I managed by lifting my middle legs and used my front and back ones to move toward the calm flame in the hearth.