The Story

From Lira:

I’ve never lived in a house with a name before. But after TAC explained that in fact I was not qualified to be a secret dragon agent (I disagree), and after we determined I did not want to go back to Awenia just yet (because I said I’d rather not), she offered me a job and a place to live.

Just like that.

A young humanoid woman with a long brown ponytail and pointed pixie ears stands on an outdoor staircase leading to a deck. She contemplates a sign on the deck rail. The sign reads, "The Story" and has a symbol consisting of three dots at the top from which radiate three rays (this is the Awen, the symbol of bardic inspiration). — *A house with a name!*

She was in a hurry, so she kind of dumped me here, explained that the Dragon Deliverance Society kept this place for their resident researcher, and suggested the job was mine as long as I could keep up with the pace of questions.

“I have about twenty things on my to-do list,” she said, before handing me the keys and getting back on — I mean, he’s a Wyvern, I think; his name is Rich and he is rude in a way that makes TAC laugh and makes me need to look things up on my phone. “There’s information about the Realm you’re in, the house, and the job inside. You’ll do great.” And then she was off over the sea, and I was alone.

I climbed the rest of the way up the first set of steps and discovered a deck with some furniture. All right; that is nice. Then there was another flight of steps and another deck, in which there was just one thing: it looked like a big bathtub, but why would anybody want to take a bath outside? The maker’s mark read “DRD HOT TUBS,” so I will look them up later and find out what you do with one.

After the third flight of steps, there was a turn and then another flight of steps—how many decks does one treehouse need? I’ve also never lived in a treehouse before; I don’t imagine a lot of folk live in treehouses, or maybe that’s just my sheltered background talking, because when I look out over the Realm, which TAC said is called Bell something (there was a lot to take in), there are a lot of tree houses that look a lot like mine. Maybe this whole Realm is populated with folk who help out the Society? Surely not: it seems to go on for ever in three directions. The fourth direction is just sea. Wow!

Well, the office is beautiful! It’s as if someone designed it just for the person I am becoming rather than the person I was. A familiar library table, a versatile desk, a pretty bookshelf to look at, and even a perch for Uggla on the library table. I especially like the framed signs on the wall: they will be very good for when I’m having a difficult work day. My favourite one reads, Out there may be filled with monsters, but inside you there is a dragon.

The whole back area of the treehouse Is like my own little library. There are tons of references on the Dragon Accords, case studies, histories, everything I will need to answer policy questions and create a new manual for DDS recruits, which TAC says will be my first big job for the Society. On the table, there were a lot of pamphlets about life in Bellisseria, how to use DragonDash to order food (I was glad there wasn’t a kitchen, since I haven’t the first clue how to cook for myself except if it involves boiling water and packet soup), so I got to reading.

Eventually, I started feeling very tired. I’m surprised I lasted as long as I did: wyvern-back transport is nowhere near as convenient as portalling, but I think TAC wanted the time to lecture me. There was a lot of wind. And Rich talks a lot. But yes, sleepy. There is a spiral staircase in the treehouse that leads up to a bedroom alcove, which is really all I need, and there were pyjamas laid out for me which I did not hate! I was almost expecting a Disembodied Voice of some kind, but none came. Instead, I just pulled on my new PJs, and I was asleep before I could properly open my E-Tome, which is probably good because I’m in the middle of this retelling of the Scarlet Pimpernel (kinda) but with vampires, and I love the main character. The Codex is such a handy device: I can have all the fiction I want at my fingertips and save my shelf space for things that make me look more intellectual to anybody who might visit.

When I woke up, I felt somehow … different.

The minute I put my hand in my hair I could feel… something. Leaves. And flowers! I had to check myself out in the mirror. I remember Queen Gwyneth always going on about how Realm travel could change you, but I guess I never envisioned waking up with flowers in my hair. I love them, though! Maybe this is one of those magical Realms where I will wake up different every day. I don’t know if I will like that, but it’ll certainly alleviate boredom.

Another set of clothing was laid out for me, a kind of corset top in a couple of different colours, a pair of jeans, and some boots. So I tucked the pyjamas away in the tiny wardrobe, got dressed, sent an order in to DragonDash, and took in the morning sun.

*Cake for breakfast? Thank you: I believe I will!*

I ordered cake! I had cake for breakfast. I don’t know why that’s seen as odd, but I think cake is a perfectly respectable breakfast food. And of course folk do have cake for breakfast; they just call it a pancake. Or a waffle. Or a muffin. I also made lists of the filing supplies I need if I am going to have to do filing by hand.

Uggla and I spent a lazy day wandering around our new neighbourhood. I don’t think these are all society people. There was a note about a stable where you could find a horse to ride, and so I took a scan of it with my phone so I could check it out later. I have not really ridden horses a lot. Uggla says if they are like wyverns, I can go by myself.

Is this the place? Will I finally get to call something a home? I mean, there’s no disembodied voice, but maybe that is a good thing.

And, without a doubt, you cannot beat the view.

Notes & Credits:

Items from my lovely blog sponsors and creators who enjoy my work:

Hair: Analog Dog (natch!), Demi (ponytail photos) and Summer Love. Summer Love is available at Vintage Fair!
Corset Top: Senzafine, Velizara Top. Velizara is available at We Love Roleplay!
Office Wall Signage: Hexumbra. (All available at the Hexumbra Main Store!)
- Beautiful Day
- Become Stories
- Dragon Inside
- Magic Within
- Phoenix Rise
Uggla, as always expertly portrayed by CKit Falconry’s Magical Pet Companion Snowy Owl. You can get your own at the CKit Falconry Main Store!
Skin: Lumae, Eirtae, in T3. You can grab a demo or purchase your own beautiful Lumae skin at the Lumae Main Store.
Crystal Tree: Cerridwen’s Cauldron, Shard Tree, Large Scale (Available at the Cerridwen’s Cauldron Main Store!)

Other Fancy Stuff:

Opening Photo T-Shirt: Pixicat, Ivana Top (part of Pride At Home)
Opening Photo Shoes: Seeker, Vida
Opening Photo Jeans: Riot, Sarah Cuffed Jeans (SeraPlus gift)
Opening Photo Necklace: L&B/Swear, Tarot Necklace, “The World” (an old gacha)
Wake Up Photo PJs: Pixicat, Honey Shorts & Top.
Wake Up Photo Socks: Sadgirl, Baby Doll Socks
Wake Up Photo Eye Circles: Just Magnitized, Insomnia
Wake Up Photo Chapped Lips: Top1 Salon, HD Chapped Lips
Later Photos Necklace: RealEvil, Hana Necklace
Later Photos Eyeshadow: Darkmoon, Pride Shadows
Later Photos Lip Colour: Song, Gatsby Lips
Throughout Glasses: Triggered, Lyra Glasses
Throughout Sleeve Tattoo, Fable, All Mimsy
Throughout Hairbase: Sap, Curls Hairbase
Throughout Ear Jewellery: FaeTal, Ear 72, Swallow Pixie Female
Throughout Signature Ring: Kunglers, Phoebe Ring

Fancy Home & Garden Stuff:

Deck mod for Linden Home Fairyspell: TL Homes, Fairyspell Treehouse Deck Add-on
Musical Pathway: Harshlands, Xylophone Path
Library Tables & Chairs throughout the treehouse: Laminak, Library Study Table and Library Chair (the animations are wonderful!)
Desk: DRD, Wizard’s Classroom Teacher’s Desk
Occasional Chair, Table, Lamp, Ashtray, and Clutter: Thor, Speakeasy
Dragon Bookends: Dragon Magick Wares, Dragon Bookends, Oak
Big Round-ish Bookcase: Myrrine, Huge Boho Bookcase
Library Shelves: Dreaming Thicket, Carnelian Archive Tall Bookcase
Library Coffee Station: Jane&Finch: Tremblant Coffee Station
Library Rug: Dust Bunny, Area Rugs, Floral Check
Bed: Moss & Luna, Sylvan Daybed
Balcony table, chairs, and cake: Chez Moi, Zevy Bistro Set
Kitty Planters: Nylon Outfitters, Purrfect Pots
Lira’s New House, The Story: Linden Homes, Treehouse Fairyspell. The doors are usually open; feel free to visit. If doors are closed, I am either shooting photos in the house somewhere or I just forgot to open them when I left… sorry! 🙂
House Wall Shell: Spyder, Fairyspell Wall Shell
House Wallpaper: Valens Design, Dark Grey Flowers White Panels PBR wallpaper materials
House “The Story” graphics: all by Gwen Enchanted using only original or public domain elements