Johnathan has always been odd.
Where the rest of us elders pulled away from the younger generations we could no longer relate to, Johnathan leand in. He reinvents himself every generation. He learned to master makup and disguise so he can 'age' himself and remain in the human poplulation.
He used to say losing touch was the kiss of death for our various species.
Was he right?
Have we lost touch?
Have we abdocated our responsibilities to guiding the fledgling human race?
Did we abandon them?
We did.
We pulled away for fear of being hurt, and the human race leaned into their greed as a result. What did we expect? If you let a toddler do as they please, they claim ownership of everything and tantrum when they are denied anything. Humanity is only now contemplating emerging from that phase, but without a wake up call, how can they learn?
Do I even know any humans on a truly personal level? Many of the workers here are young dragons learning to manage a hoard. The few humans that work here, I have only met in passing.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Even my wife I only know on a surface level—I avoid spending time with her by working late at the hoard, or I play with the children. Clearly, I have made a mistake. Can I convince the other elders of the same?
Most of the elders discard Johnathan's council, but I know that while he tends toward pranks and misbehavior, every action he takes is to our benefit and meant to teach a lesson. His apparent inability to do so in a straight forward or constructive way is neither here nor there. Even so, seeing him this serious is both rare and concerning. The last time I saw him this serious was during the witch burnings. This situation is much more grave than any of us anticipated if he is taking action.
I spend the day floating through routine. Sign this, approve that, verify these. I couldn't tell you what I signed or agreed to, my mind is on the upcoming entreat at midnight tonight. That the new information is coming from Johnathan and a youngling will make this an uphill battel, perhaps I will leave the youngling out of this. It is her idea, and she is very bright and apparently capable. But she is young, so young. She even still smells human.
No, the elders will not take her council, especially filtered through Johnathan. He and I will have to present, she will wait. It is the only way we have a chance.
Finally, the work day comes to an end. The vampires in my office are making good progress on their plans. There are still some holes, which they will almost certainly gloss over. Foolish of them to think I don't know everything said in and around my hoard. I may not know what I signed today, but I do know they spent twenty three minutes fourteen seconds on the MIT website, and that Johnathan juggled the statues artistically displayed on my shelves. One broke. He hopes I won't notice he glued it back together.
Four hours left to prepare.
I hope we can convince the others. I have a feeling Johnathan will find a way to compete his mission either way.