If only closed

I walk around the crowded alley, people watching. It's really strange, you know? Being surrounded by people who not only practice magic but also consider it normal. I don't have a cent to my name since, you know, I was raised by a non-wizard family. Not that my house is a normal place. Heaven, my father if a full-fledged satanist, and the bar he runs is torn up by demon hunters at least once a year. But it's fun living there. I have many siblings it's incredible.

We are all adopted since dad's wife died in an accident he never talks about. Something about how it was his fault, although I honestly doubt it. Sure, he beats the living cra- joy out of anyone he plays in chess, but other than that he lets our bouncer handle the people that need handling. I've never even seen him shove someone, and that's a big deal. He deals with drunks and crazy mothers every day. Especially crazy mothers since my brother, Lyke, started dating. Well. Dating is a strong word. He can never commit, which is a shame since he is the kind of person to attract all the good looking chicks. Here's a laugh. He's asexual.

With these thoughts swirling around in my head, I enter a shop which seems to be selling animals. Like a pet shop, or something. Except the animals here are not exactly normal. Sure, there's cats and rats, and lizards, but there's also some things which if you described to me I'd call it a wild fantasy. I mean, I think that's a pseudodragon in that cage in the corner.

I walk over, a hysterical giggle rising up in my chest. I used to draw them all the time, and it's like my dreams just materialized in front of me. With the appearance of a small, silver-red dragon, the pseudodragon is sleeping curled up around itself in its painfully small silver cage. The bars are almost touching its skin, and the little guy is lying down. I wonder how cramped the thing must be when he is awake. I know it's a boy. Don't ask me how.

"Hey man," I say, sitting down beside the cage. "It must suck to be in there." I am half convinced the creature will answer back, but it does not even stir. I guess it must be unpleasant for someone ten times your size to sit down and start talking to you even though you are clearly sleeping.

I blink. That's odd. I don't usually think like that. It just talked to me! Pseudodragons communicate by inserting their thoughts/feelings/emotions in other people's heads. "Sorry," I say feeling my face turn a light shade of pink. "I'll go, I didn't mean to bother you."

*I never said go.* "But..." *I just said I didn't like how you started the conversation.* "How was I supposed to start it?" I ask curiously, clutching my necklace. *I would not have said no to one of those honey bread things they sell in the shop next door.* "Wow, now that's just..." *Practical?* "...rude" *Get used to it.* "Um...why?" *Aren't you taking me home?* "I ain't got a cent to my name, bro." *What's a cent?* "Um, money?" *Uhh, you're a muggle-born.* "Technically, I am half wizard." *So why are you here?* "Because nobody will talk to the new kid with the freaky eyes and gayness radiating off him, ya know?" *What's gayness?*

I suck in a breath. How am I supposed to explain that to a dragon? "I...like other guys." *So?* [insert relieved sigh there] "People don't like that. So here I am, talking to a pseudodragon." *Hey, what's wrong with talking to a pseudodragon?* I wince. "Sorry, nothing. I wish I had enough money to get you. But, you know." I give a little helpless shrug. "I ain't got no money or way to get it." *You talk funny.* "What do you mean?" *Who says ain't?* "Um, me." *See, you are weird.* I sigh. "So I've been told."

I get up to leave, fingering my necklace. "I'll come back with a honey whatever it is you wanted next time I am here, alright?" *Really????* "Yeah." *Thank you!* "Wow, welcome. So enthusiastic." The dragon snorted sleepily. *What can I say. The room service here is terrible.*