My Asian Dragon

“They are a very kind group of people.”

“It wasn’t just that,” Joy retorted. “They really looked like they respected you. More than just as a village politician.”

“Well, in a village this size, politics are a simple matter. I hope I am not just a politician.”

Joy nodded. “Speaking of which, you never did get around to answering my questions about what I saw last night. Longwei, what did I see?”

Longwei looked at her levelly, and Joy had the distinct feeling she was being evaluated for something. It was a strange feeling, and one she hadn’t felt since her days at Georgetown. Finally, Longwei set his tea aside, and looked her in the eyes. “You saw me training.”

“Excuse me?”

Longwei sighed and stood up. He paced the room, his hands clasped behind his back before answering. “I know this will sound insane, but what you saw was real. I come from a long line of men who have been able to transform their bodies into a dragon. According to family legend, at one time those of my bloodline numbered in the thousands.”

“And are there others like you in the village?” Joy asked, not believing but playing along. Longwei noticed her tone, but decided not to react to her disbelief.

“No,” he said, smiling his mysterious smile again. “I’m the only one. In fact, I may be the last of my kind left in the world. Again, tales my father told me say there is another blood line of the dragon, but our family lost contact with them centuries ago. From what my father said, they may be different than us anyway.”

“How so?”

“Well, just as there are different mythological forms of the dragon, I think the other bloodline may resemble the European myth style more. Considering what I’ve seen in my travels, the chances are great.”

“What do you mean?”

“I am not the only shape shifter I have met,” Longwei said. “I’ve met others. Some types are more prevalent than others.”

“And just what have you met?”

Longwei shook his head. “Sorry, but that would violate their privacy.”

Joy nodded. “You must realize Longwei, as nice as you are, it’s a lot to believe that you are some sort of were-dragon shape shifter.”

“I know,” Longwei said. “Would you like to see, then?”

“You won’t try and eat me?”

Longwei laughed. “No. Unlike what the movies might say about werewolves, I retain my mind when I change. I am in control of my actions fully.”

“Well, I guess the proof is in the pudding, as they say.”

“Speaking of which, would you like some pudding for dessert tonight? We can have rice pudding made.”

Joy shook her head. “You’re stalling, Longwei.”

Longwei sighed, and started taking off his clothes. Joy stood up, shocked. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. What are you doing?”

Longwei chuckled. “You did not think my clothes changed with me, did you?”

“But, you were wearing something last night.”

“Yes, a long robe. I keep one by the corner of the temple. If you had been able to see clearly, you would have seen me wearing what looks something like a long poncho. It wasn’t even belted.”

“And you can’t wear one now because?”

“Because it’s dirty and in the wash,” Longwei said. “Come now, you’ve never seen a man naked before?”

Joy blushed. Longwei had already removed his shirt, and she could see how fit he was. He wasn’t bulky muscular, but still very lean, with cleanly defined muscles that lined his torso. She had seen more defined men in her life, but never in person, and most of the pictures she had seen were bodybuilders or fitness models. Longwei’s muscles and definition was natural, and much more graceful. Part of her mind wondered how the rest of him would look.

“If you are uncomfortable, I can turn around,” Longwei said playfully, reaching for the cord tying his pants.

Part of Joy wanted him to drop his trousers right there, curious as to what she might find. But another part of her was shy, and didn’t want to look so sl*tty. “Please do,” she said with a tinge of regret, covering her eyes. “And perhaps I should do this until you begin to change?”

Longwei laughed, and turned around. Joy kept her eyes covered, but curiosity got the best of her, and she peeked between her fingers to see. While Longwei kept his word and kept his back turned, the parts she did see warmed more than just her blood, as a surge of heat went through her body that she hadn’t felt in a while. Longwei’s back and legs were just as attractive as his chest and arms, and she could feel herself wanting to touch and see what those muscles would feel like under her fingers.

“I’m ready to change now,” Longwei said quietly, “give me a few seconds, and you can open your eyes.”

Through her fingers, Joy watched as Longwei’s body started to darken in tone, the pale yellow caramel of his skin turning darker, his legs and back becoming a dark forest green before his body seemed to ripple. “Look now,” Longwei said, his voice turning gravelly.

Joy dropped her hands as Longwei turned around. The rest of the transformation was difficult for her to see, it happened so quickly. His arms and legs shortened, and his back seemed to lengthen, until he was almost fifteen feet long, with his legs and arms being not much more than short stumps, ending in four toed claws. His face also changed, his hair becoming the fringe of his head, which also stretched to look like a mythological dragon’s. The only thing that didn’t change on him was his eyes, which were the same intelligent yellow hazel they had been before.

Joy stood up, amazed at the sight before her. She had expected to feel fear, but instead she was left with a sense of wonder at the dragon before her. Longwei exuded a sense of majestic peace and power, and she felt herself drawn to him as he looked down at her from his head which was now eight feet off the ground. “Is that really you in there?” she asked. Longwei nodded his head. “Can you speak in this form?”