Thread: The Dragon's Treasure

Not many places could claim to have a floor that was, taken by itself, a work of art. Each seamless block of stone held subtle patterns and shades, and the surface possessed a gloss so flawless that everything else was reflected within it. One of the things mirrored thus was a large bed that sat in the center of the space. Covered by fine linen sheets and a fluffed spread decorated with delicate embroidery, the arrangement of pillows on its surface created the impression of a cloud fallen to earth and shaped just right for a person to rest upon. A roaring fire crackled in the hearth on the other side of the room, not far from where a woven rug lay its material formed elegant curls and twists in regal colors. Every part of the furnishing, from plush armchairs to grand wardrobe, down to the frame around the vanity's mirror and the smallest footstool, were either wood stained a rich brown or soft yet expertly woven fabric. If one did not know of what lay outside, the room would feel like the master suite in a mansion. Yet the sight of this finery only made the girl release a heavy sigh. A gust of air rushed out of the bedding as she flopped onto her back remaining face down had kept her from looking around very much, but it didn't remove her knowledge of the situation. How long had it been? More than a week, certainly...but how much more? She had counted the days at first. On each day, she had searched for a way out of this place. The main exit would have been the easiest way out. There was one problem with it, one that she had yet to overcome the lake. On a good day, she could swim short distances on others, a doggy-paddle was about the limit of her ability. With a body of water that deep and wide in the way, she was as likely to get out through that entrance as she was to sprout wings and fly. With the primary exit out of the question, she then searched for alternatives. Breaks in the walls, secret passages, underground routes...and she had located not a single one. The ceilings were far too high for her to reach without a massive ladder of some kind, and even if she had, the space overhead seemed as flawless as the stone beneath her feet. Trying to find a crack between them that she could lift, like a loose tile, had just resulted in aching fingers and breaking her last ballpoint pen. No matter how many corners she peered into or bits of the floor she poked at, escape seemed out of her reach. Resigned to her position now, but no less unhappy about it, she... Well, if Angelique was honest with herself, she was moping. The idea of it brought a frown to the otherwise pretty face of the young lady. She had no idea what time it was, or how long she had been awake, but laying in one place all day would get her no closer to home. Slightly cooler air chilled her legs as she slid off of the bed it was a small drop from there to the cool, smooth floor. Her bare feet padded quietly across to a small opening in the far wall. Considering that this place was inside of a cave, it was a relief that there was a bathroom connected to the room she slept in. Similar to the space it was linked to, the bathing area was fully supplied and elegantly designed. If she stretched to her full length of 5 feet and 6 inches, there would still be space enough for another person to sit in the bath. Warm towels hung on brass racks beside it. The basin, like the tub itself, appeared to be carved out of the same marble that lined the walls. Where the water came from to fill them was a mystery to her, but she shrugged a shoulder and went about her daily routine without worrying over it. If not for the change in location, said routine would have been identical to what she had done in the days before her arrival. Wake up, wash and brush her teeth, then get dressed. Having reached the step in question, she moved to the wardrobe and gazed at the contents. Every hook, hanger, drawer, and shelf was full of clothing, and each garment fit her exactly right. Some were classy tops and bottoms of timeless styles, others were gowns fit for royalty...but none of them were hers. Not really. Her clothes were tucked in the back of a drawer, and stood out only due to the difference in craftsmanship and materials. Simple jeans, a casual t-shirt, cotton socks, scuffed sneakers they were nothing special, but she missed wearing them. They were the last things she had from home. Wearing them daily had caused them to fade and fray, though, and she wouldn't risk having them fall apart completely. Instead, she pulled out one of the many dresses and held it up. Colored a soft shade of rose pink, it draped downward after a form-fitting torso and a shallow scoop of ruffles at the neck. The skirt, with its multiple wide tiers, would sit well below the knee when worn. There was an creamy toned blouse that went with it though long sleeves weren't needed in such warm surroundings, the weight of it was light, and she doubted it would get too hot. She set the clothes to one side and pulled open another drawer, revealing a number of colorful and modernly styled undergarments. Next to the regal dresses and silken nightgowns, they looked out of place, but it was the one thing she insisted that the dragon buy or find for her right away. That thought pulled a quiet groan from her. A dragon...I still can't believe it! Dragons aren't supposed to be real. Especially not human-kidnapping ones! She tried very, very, very hard not to think of what her captor was most of the time. This wasn't the middle ages, where people commonly accepted the existence of monsters or devils. She was the child of a modern age and a resident of a first-world country, the sort of person that took electricity, long-distance communication, refrigeration, and the printing press for granted. Dragons were a scientific impossibility, a myth, not something real. That's what she would have thought as well...but that day in the woods had changed all that. She had only been there to relax, maybe find inspiration for a new song, but her captor had other ideas. Even surrounded by riches that she could never have afforded at home, she missed her old lifestyle, her friends, and her family. Even having to deal with annoying coworkers would have been a welcome change. Putting aside the clothing, she reached underneath her old jeans and rummaged about a moment before finding it. It was a small thing, but it was full of the music she had recorded before her life changed so dramatically. I guess I won't get to know if I could have made it... The words dropped into the air, laden heavily with regret, and she looked at the item longingly before returning it to its hiding place. Back turned to the space that separated the room from the rest of the caves, she resumed dressing. Once that was done, she would need to take care of her hair it was long enough to brush against the light skin of her lower back, so that would take some time. Eventually she would need to go out and find something to eat, which would mean interacting with Tahlia again...but for the time being, she tried not to think about it. There was no doubt in Angelique's mind that she resented the dragon from taking her away from her home and her life...yet much of her anger was dull, not boiling under the surface as it had originally. At this point, she wasn't sure what she was supposed to feel about the bronze-toned creature. How long have I been here, anyway? I never should have stopped counting... It must have been long enough to start going crazy, because that was the only logical explanation for not despising the being that kept her away from the outside world. Not that such thoughts would keep her from doing what she did every day trying to find some way out, even if she had to talk the dragon into it. Somehow.