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It was a long, silent morning. Ghost was relatively unaffected by the events that he couldn't remember, and decided to make use of the coffee maker. He chose a pod and snapped it in, “What are we doing today?”

Mirabelle didn't have an answer, for once in her life. She stammered out a lot of nonsense before, “What are you doing over there?”

Ghost poured a cup of water into the reserve, “Making tea in a coffee maker. If I don't have to pay I'm not going to.” He sighed, “Do you also want something?”

“I need some of that... ugh...” She was hungover.

“Coffee is the closest you're gonna get. Pop some aspirin from the cabinet and wait.” Mirabelle was a mess when relaxed, which made it odd that she would be chosen for such a prestigious position in her people's hierarchy. Perhaps it was her kind nature that made her stand out, ignoring her size and skill in combat. Dragon's could have had a different sense of worth and value, Ghost would even go as far to say that their society was nearly opposite of human society. The coffee maker clicked and Ghost set it up with a pod of theme park brand coffee, “Should be a minute.”

She finished putting on her tight armor, “Thank you. Uh, listen, about last night... what do you remember?”

“Polishing off those mini bottles of liquor.”

“Ah, alright, well, let's just keep this between us. I can-”

“Fine.”

Mirabelle's eyes were wide open, “What? I would have thought I would need to buy your silence.”

Ghost shrugged, “I see no reason to talk about it. Past is the past.”

“Right, well, I'm... thank you. I thought we would go see this park, it looks interesting.” She pointed on the map some manager gave her to a park known for the cultural exhibits, “Whenever you're ready, we can go.”

“Drink your coffee. I'm showering.” It had been a very long time since Ghost experienced a real hot water shower. The dragon technology was efficient but not as relaxing as a stream of hot water melting away the stress of a day. He took off his robe and stepped in, feeling the comfort immediately.

“Ghost, are you alright? Why is the shower taking so long.”

“Water shower, it takes time.”

He couldn't hear the details of what Mirabelle was doing over the water, but he didn't care. It was 90 degrees outside, sunny, humid, and here he was enjoying more heat. He pondered that if the sound of water streaming from the tiny holes was soothing in some way, or if it was the slashes on the floor of the tub. In either case, he lathered up and took his time. With no way of knowing how much time had passed, he stepped out, dried off, and got dressed.

Mirabelle was waiting just outside of the bathroom door, from the look of her surprise she must have had her ear up against the wood, “Oh, I was just seeing if you were alright. Let's get moving.” A monorail stopped near the hotel, and the two hopped on. With many humans still nervous about dragons, they had plenty of space on the short ride to the park entrance.

Once again, some important people from the park greeted them, offered food passes and gifts, and acted as pests until Mirabelle asked if she could actually enter the park, “You're famous, get used to it.”

“I am used to it, no worries there. This amusement park is laid out in a circular pattern, let's head left first and work our way around. I'm sure the shops and foods will be interesting if they are representative of the world.”

“The trinkets and foods only cover what people want. The individual cultures vary just like here. Rich and poor, educated and uneducated, rural and urban. Still, you may get a feel for certain aspects by looking around.”

The temperature was already in the upper 80's and Ghost's robe wasn't doing him any favors. Mirabelle looked comfortable though, and she was constantly looking at each and every new distraction on their walking tour of the amusement park. On her way she stopped in a few stores and purchased a few trinkets to be delivered to her room. Then came a different sort of store, filled with large steins, small glass sculptures, and little else. It was expensive and plain, but it commanded her attention, “Let's look inside.”

Ghost sighed but followed. The wooden interior was designed to look hand carved, but in reality was just laminate on cheap wood. Old style decorations on the exposed walls helped sell the different culture vibe, and even the employees were dressed like stereotypes. Ghost watched the curious dragon closely, hoping to learn more about what made her tick.

The crystal ornaments which hung from the ceiling were of great interest, and she almost seemed to be put into a trance by their flickering reflections. A distant memory, a bit of nostalgia, something was triggered, “I... would like to purchase some of these. Ghost, please choose something for yourself.”

A young woman with nerves of jelly pulled out a short step ladder and began collecting the various ornaments that Mirabelle chose silently. Ghost picked up two steins, one for himself and one for Miel. It would keep her quiet for a while and would almost certainly stop her from whining about no gifts. A calculated decision in the stifling heat, made possibly by the high power air conditioning in the store, “We have a lot of park to see. Hurry it up.”

“Yes, of course, my apologies.” The clerk rang her up and she paid, asking for the items to be delivered to the hotel. Outside, they continued their walk in the crowds. Ghost was grateful that Mirabelle's intimidating presence parted the crowds just enough to keep the heat from overwhelming him, “Tell me, what did you used to enjoy before you were homeless?”

“Good question.” He thought about it, then was upset that he remembered, “I used to play video games a lot, then my family destroyed them all and kicked me out.”

“A sore subject, but by video games, do you mean something akin to simulators?”

This was certainly not improving Ghost's mood, “Something like that, but usually based in fantasy and with different types. Different controls, stories, objectives, and purposes. They were a distraction that helped me focus and relax at the same time.”

“Like training was for me. I understand, and I thank you for sharing with me.”

Ghost looked at some of the frightened families, “I have no reason to hide it.”

Mirabelle led Ghost to a restaurant and they easily got a table. He didn't even know which country it was supposed to represent, but the manager insisted on the sampler for two, “I am learning a lot and enjoying myself. It has been a long time since I could say the latter.”

“Because of your ex-husband I assume.”

“Yes...” She lowered her head, “That was a difficult time in which I had almost no control of my life, I couldn't have been happy if I wanted to.”

“Marqu told me as much. I wouldn't tell him too many secrets if I was you.”

She chuckled, “Oh, we've been friends since childhood, I know he would refuse to tell my secrets to anyone he didn't trust. How did he come to trust you by the way?”

Ghost didn't want to tell her about their short conversation in detail, “We had an understanding, that's all.” Though he didn't feel like thinking about Marqu, he was positive that he had been in some trouble, or was involved with something shady in the past. His association with Mirabelle was likely the reason he wasn't in jail, or dishonored, or whatever the dragons did to criminals.

Some drinks were set on the table, the house specialty, “I see. Well I'm glad he was able to confide in you. He's a good judge of character.”

“I don't think that's entirely true.”

Mirabelle shrugged, “Perhaps you'll trust him in time. I did notice that Miel has taken a liking to you. She always seemed happy.”

“Very talkative and open.”

“She's always been that was. I don't really know her personally, but I was aware of her.”

“Miel needs to keep a lower profile sometimes and know when to think for herself. I don't know if she can act on her own. When I'm around she asks me what I want to do, but never suggests a thing.”

Mirabelle took a sip, “Well, as long as were off the clock I could show you interesting things to do. I want to be a friend, not a boss or slave owner.”

“Fair enough.”

“Good, I'll have to find a way to entertain you in your off time. Sitting in your empty room doing nothing is bad for your mental health.”

Ghost looked up with scorn in his eyes, “I think my mind is as damaged as it's gonna get, thank you very much. I survived this long without shelter, friends, and safety. I don't think being locked in a room will hurt me.”

The food was set in the center of the table and two plates were set in front of the two diners. Mirabelle picked out some food for herself, “So... what types of video games did you enjoy most? It may allow me to get a better feel for who you are.”

About as subtle as a spy using a shotgun, “I liked the role playing games, the fighting games, the shooting games, the action games, anything that required real thought and decision making. It occupied my time.”

“I see. That certainly sounds like someone with an active mind. Did you have many friends? A relationship? This is a more relaxed setting, so it is a good time to ask.”

“I had acquaintances. People I could have small conversations with, but never hung out with. I don't like people. They always want without giving in return.”

Mirabelle took a few bites as Ghost took a little food for himself, “This is a universal truth, many are like that. Good friends are far and few between, and people you can trust as a partner are even rarer. Many get into relationships without thinking, without truly knowing the other, and it ends in disaster. Some are forced through family or other means, and that breeds sorrow and regret. Isolation is not the answer, but I cannot think of a way to get around it. I would hope that in time you come to trust me as much as I trust you.”

“We'll see.” He took a bite of some meat/rice dish, “Until then, I'm on the clock.”

They finished up their meal in a tense silence, then continued their journey through the theme park. Mirabelle stopped in a few stores, but didn't buy anything. Every now and then Ghost saw her look at him with a concerned expression, but she didn't talk. The heat was starting to irritate Ghost more and more, but he couldn't show emotion. Emotion is a weakness that people can exploit. Once they see you weak, you can't do anything about it, “What?” He was careful to maintain a neutral tone.

“I'm worried about you.” No hesitation at all.

“I'm fine.”

She shook her head, “No, you aren't. You're lonely and hurt. You may not think you show it, but I've watched you and your body language says more than your voice.”

Ghost had almost forgotten about that. Most communication is through body language, and that's the one thing he hadn't been adjusting to stay neutral, “Shit.”

“Don't worry so much, I'm not here to judge you, nor ask anything from you. When I ask about the world, I don't demand an answer. When I wonder about what happened that night I became free, I didn't demand that you tell me. I simply accept that you tell me everything you feel you are able.”

This was not the place for a conversation, and Ghost didn't want to say much more, but the faucet in his mind wasn't closing, “I do my job, I pay my debts. Whether or not you like me is irrelevant. I am honest and I don't lie unless necessary.”

“So, would you be interested if I set up a date between you and Miel? You two get along well and balance either other nicely.”

Ghost shook his head, “Impossible.”

“Why?”

“She's a lesbian.”

For the first time since they met, Mirabelle looked flabbergasted, “I... I had no idea...”

“Not something you blab about.”

“I suppose not.” Mirabelle rubbed her chin in what could only be described as a nervous reaction, “That wouldn't end well. Do you find any dragons attractive? That would have been a better question.”

He sighed, “Different skin and head, same body type. I haven't been attracted to anyone in a long time though, so it's a moot point.”

“Long live humanity!” A shout from behind the two was followed by screaming. Mirabelle and Ghost ducked to the sides behind whatever cover they could find. Mirabelle's reaction was from training, Ghost's from survival. He looked out and saw a man with a gun shoot wildly in the direction of Mirabelle, “Death to the dragons!”

“Mirabelle! Let me show you how I feel about life!” Ghost stood up and extended his arms to the side, “Come on fuckface! Hit me!”

He was deranged, a man most likely on drugs to ease his nerves for this suicide mission, “Stay back traitor! I'm here for the scale-head!” He aimed the pistol at Ghost, who walked towards the man, “I said stay back!” He fired a round over Ghost's head.

“Come on! Stop trying to hit me and hit me! Do it! Do it! Do it!” Ghost was close enough to tackle the man to the ground, but he didn't. He stepped forward again until the pistol was against his forehead, “You piece of shit coward.” He reared back his head and snapped it forward into the gunman's forehead. The force combined with the excessive drug use made the gunman lose his grip.

Ghost knocked the gun away and kicked the man to the ground, “Wh-why?”

Ghost looked down at the man, “You couldn't kill a homeless waste of skin like me, but you think you could take a Grand Inquisitor? I'd kill you right now, but that would be a waste of my time. You should kill yourself.”

“Ghost...”

“Or better yet, be food for a dragon. Better than you rotting a jail cell on government money.” He kicked the man's thigh, “Disgusting.”

Security finally showed up and took the man into custody. The gun was confiscated as evidence, and some high up person in the company profusely apologized to Mirabelle. No doubt he was here to thank her for visiting and to make some speech, but now he was on damage control. Begging was pathetic to Ghost, and even Mirabelle paid the man no mind, “Yeah, yeah, sure. It was not a problem. Perhaps you need to revise your security procedures if a man can enter the park with a firearm.” She stepped past the man and to Ghost, “Are you okay?”

“I'm fine. No different than ever.”

She crossed her arms, “We're going to have a talk back in the room.”