I had long since cosigned myself to the reality of this. The reason I had been Turned in the first place was because of dwindling numbers and the need for new blood. The Council looked on it as purely practical, both then and now. It wasn’t long after the change that my Maker used me, infatuated with him as I was. I was foolish, and young, and perhaps I still am.

Arranged marriages were not unusual among dragons. The Council, being large and varied in its members, had long ruled that since dragons are so solitary they would have to step in from time to time. Often they completely skipped the step of marriage, seeing it wasn’t really necessary when the true goal was keeping the species alive. The ones that were left anyway.

Dragons came in a variety of species, and most lived on though in straggling numbers. Coastal Dragons had long gone extinct, unable to compete with the growing human population. Humans have long since combed nearly every beach and island, killing any dragon that may have been left. Hiding as a human helped, so long as your pride didn’t get in the way of actually doing it. It would seem that the Coastal Dragons had simply been too prideful.

What surprised me so much about Kenji’s statement were several things. For starters, he was an Island Dragon - similar to the Coastal Dragon but found in the East - while I was a Plains Dragon. Secondly, I don’t recall ever being informed that this was to be a thing. Sure it had happened once before, except the male they brought me was so disgusted that I was Turned and not born a dragon that he left soon after. His loss I guess. Thirdly and lastly, I had thought the Council had last all interest in me after I told them I had no interest in them. Perhaps I was mistaken.

Kenji coughed uncomfortably before recollecting himself. “It would appear you have been ill informed.” He stated this rather than ask it, seeing the shock on my face turn into a slow realization. I simply nodded. “Perhaps we can discuss the matter over some dinner?” He asks me quietly, and for a moment I get a little glimpse of emotion from him.

“That sounds nice.” I tried to perk up at the prospect of warm food, but the whole thing had settled like a rock in my stomach. I barely noticed the poor attempt Beth made at pretending to still have work to do, locking the door behind us as I followed Kenji outside.

“Where’s a good place to eat?” Kenji asked me, pulling out his phone as he did so. It was a sleek new model, one that looked practically brand new. It probably was, considering how recent the model was.

“Hmmm…” I think for a moment, following him out to the parking lot beside the building. I see that his car is also nice and new, making mine look like something a college student in debt from loans would own. It does the job, and hasn’t broken down on me yet, but I can’t help but notice the stark difference between the two of us. I start to wonder what he does for a living before I get back on track.

“There’s this nice sushi place on main street.” I told him. Perhaps it was my dragon blood, but I had developed a love for fish. Both as a food and as a pet. The nice house I lived in had a large fish tank that divided the kitchen and dining room from the living room. I had quickly managed to fill it into a recreation of a river environment, putting in some impressive fish.

Kenji paused at his car and looked at me, quirking an eyebrow at me. I, in turn, gave him a look of confusion.

“What?” I asked. “They’ve got some good food.” I tell him as if that would explain everything.

“Did you suggest sushi because I’m Asian?” Kenji asks me, the faintest glimmer of amusement in his eye. I’m too overcome with embarrassment to even process that, and the fact that he might actually be teasing me.

“Wha- No! No, I just like their food.” I scramble to make some sort of apology and explanation, and I notice the faintest tug of a smile on his lips. My face and neck are likely beet red at this point, and I just stop talking to save myself from further misery.

“That’s alright,” He says dismissively. “I’ll meet you there.” He begins to type away on his phone, and I assume he’s putting in directions on the GPS. I quickly head for my own car and get in, making a polite farewell as I do so.

The drive isn’t a long one, the town being relatively small. It was small enough that nearly everyone knew everybody, almost. Burnt Rock was just large enough to have a grocery store that also had other things like furniture, books, and even a few video games. I had been here for a good handful of years now, and I had a feeling there was more than one reason for the recent population increase thanks to the new college in development. It would seem that the Council would rather pull some political strings to keep the museum under their control as opposed to moving me somewhere else. Honestly though? I wouldn’t mind a few years - or even a few decades - away from humanity. But there’s no rest for the over-worked.

The museum was stationed just a handful of blocks away from main street. It wasn’t yet tourist season, so the area was fairly quiet aside from the regulars. The dinner rush wasn’t much of a rush here, not yet anyway. Parking was still easily accessible, if only a little more packed.

The area was a nice one. The street was wide with shops on either side and parking available in slanted rows. The sidewalks were broken up with small planters full of local plants to attract wildlife - some of it anyway - as well as the occasional dinosaur statue. While we weren’t as big on tourists as some other towns, finding it hard to compete with the towns closer to the Dinosaur National Monument.

I arrived just minutes before Kenji did, his car pulling up next to mine as I got out. He gave me a quick nod before walking around his car to grab a bag. Is that-? Of course he even carries a briefcase. I realize that Kenji is not only well taken care of - either by himself or the Council - but is also most definitely the business type. This is only emphasized when He walks up to greet me. His movements are precise, his body controlled in everything from the way he walks to the way his hair is set. This man does not play around.

“This is it.” It’s more of a statement than a question. He looks from me to the restaurant before us, aptly named The Sushi Bar. I nod my approval, unsure of what to really say. “I’ll get us a seat.” Kenji states before turning towards the bar, not looking back to see if I have followed. It’s a short walk from where we’ve parked and yet it feels like a great distance is set before me. My heart is still racing by the time we reach the door, my anxiety over the matter not yet quelled. I continue to tell myself the usual things, like how this was to be expected one day or another, but my mind and my body are not on the same page.

Inside, the restaurant is actually quite comfortable. There is a small stand where a waiter will give you your table and menu on the one side, and on the other is a very small fountain pond with a couple of koi in it. The fish swim around in circles lazily, never wanting for anything. A waiter is already standing there, ready to ask us how many he’ll be seating. Kenji politely informs him that it’s just the two of us, and we are quickly brought to a small booth near the front window. It’s kind of nice, since all of the buildings are right up next to each other you either get a real window or a fake window. The restaurant was decorated with several pieces of art made to resemble windows from what I assume to be an old Japanese home, the views being that of the countryside. It’s a stark contrast to the world outside of the real window, but I appreciate the warm sun on my side.

“Do you come here often?” Kenji asks, unfolding his plastic menu. His tone is flat, and I know he’s just making small talk but I still worry about the conversation that has yet to come.

“Not quite.” I reply, trying and failing to hide the anxiety from my voice. I look down at my own menu so I don’t have to see him and whatever look he might give me. I don’t want his pity, I just want to get my work done and go back to being alone. Although, admittedly, I did miss the attention and companionship of a male.

“Is there anything you’d recommend?” Kenji asks me, and I dare to look at him. While his head is tilted to look down at the menu on the table - one hand on the plastic menu and the other holding his head - his eyes look up at me, their deep brown color clouded by his dark lashes. I swallowed hard, trying my very best not to be distracted by the way he looked at me.

“Well,” I start, quickly looking back down at my menu. “I usually get the teriyaki salmon meal.” I tell him, trying my best to not just info-dump about how I love salmon and all the different varieties of it. He already heard me talk enough at the museum, I remind myself. I can feel his penetrating gaze on me as he hums in thought. I try my best not to squirm as he continues to look at me, or at least it feels like he’s looking at me.

“I’ll get that too.” He finally replies, closing the menu and raising his hand to catch the attention of the waiter. Our waiter quickly shuffles over and swiftly takes our order, taking our menus when he leaves. Kenji watches him go for a moment before returning to me.

“Were you really not informed?” Jumping right in I see. I feel my heart rate jump up a notch, apparently I’m still not prepared for this conversation. There is a hint of sympathy in his eyes, but other than that he appears almost emotionless.

“Not that I recall.” I shake my head as I say this, finding it harder and harder to tamp down my emotions. Having children wasn’t new to me, and I knew that this was going to happen eventually. I suppose I just would have appreciated some warning.

“I’ll check my emails again.” I say quickly, pulling out my phone and opening up my various messages. The Council used a private server to message all of the dragons under them, which was most if not all of the population of dragons.I combed through the various messages I had been sent this past month, even looking up keywords in the search bar. I found nothing new, but when I checked the first email about Kenji I noticed that the message was definitely suggesting an arranged pairing. It was only with hindsight and a bit of context that I saw that clearly.

I clear my throat with an uncomfortable cough. “Well, it’s not exactly straight forward,” I tell Kenji, unable to really look him in the eye. “But it would seem that was the indication.” I looked at it quietly. I can feel the heat crawling up my neck. I should have known the Council would have tried something like this. Turned dragons are often nothing more than breeding stock. Pretty, well cared for breeding stock, but still nothing more than that. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was some grand plan of theirs, sending a new project for me to work on and a handsome male that just happened to come with it.

Kenji makes a scoff, though in disgust or frustration I can’t tell. “I believe the Council may have wanted you to feel inclined to do it, rather than forced to do it.” He explains. It makes sense, seeing how suggestive the email was. The problem was it’s too suggestive, not even a little straightforward. It was a stark contrast to Kenji.

“It wouldn’t surprise me,” Kenji continued. “They’ve found greater success this way.” His tone was flat, and for all my hard effort I couldn’t get a read on him. Was he upset? Was he glad? Did any of this bother him at all? I make the risky decision to try and test the waters.

“Sure,” I start by agreeing with him. Perhaps that will set off the question I’ll ask next. “But why you?” I ask him. “We’re different species after all.” I clarify, hoping I don’t offend him.

“I don’t really have a choice in the matter.” He replies, and I swear I can see a hint of frustration in the lines of his face. “Besides,” He pauses as out waiter brings over our drinks, though I’m disappointed the food isn’t ready yet. “This is purely business.” Wow, okay, ouch. That one stung a little. He looks at me again, his gaze evaluating. I hope I have not been found wanting.

“It simply is what it is for me, but I understand if the situation may be troubling for you.” Kenji says after a moment of silence. I don’t respond right away, not really sure what to say. I don’t want it to be troubling, I want to fit in. This was normal for dragons. A female goes into heat once only every fifty years or so, often longer than that. It only made sense to capitalize on it.