10 views
The Path To The Dragon
He was handsome and well liked, for everyone talked about him and wanted to know him. His popularity was mainly based on his looks, for he was indeed appealing, and he knew how to be the life and soul of the party. But I didn't see only that, I saw something else that showed me he seemed to fight the tide of his popularity. It was as if it was no thrill for him to be the adored one, he wanted an escape. I guess I made things difficult for him. I didn't fall as easily for his charms, wasn't as impressed by his looks and words alone. I wanted to judge him on his actions too. So I watched, and I waited.
They were calling him The Dragon. He would dance at their parties, take his top off and expose this strange tattoo all down his back. It was like a long lithe green scaled ladder, yet the spaces in between were paler. One end at the shoulder was a tail, and at the spine was an elongated fearsome dragon's head. In my mind I was thinking of the game snakes and ladders, it made me smile. Our eyes locked at the party above the loud techno beat, and he seemed curious. Most were checking out his perfect abs and flawless skin, but I was merely thinking of a children's board game. I guess he didn't see lust in my eyes, he saw humour, and that amused him. He watched me for the longest time and I felt uncomfortable so I moved out of his line of sight. I was used to blending in, remaining hidden, a chameleon adapting to those around me. I didn't want to be noticed, I wanted to be appreciated instead. Big difference. The likes of him will always be adored and fawned over without even trying, because both guys and girls liked what they saw. They fancied their chances, and their attempts were very unsubtle, making it obvious what they were after.
Later that evening I was getting a drink from the table near the sofa. I heard some voices from that seat long before I looked. I knew it was him sat there with his back to me. Either side of him, his muscular arms around each, were a guy and girl.
"I really like your tat," she said, her red lacquered long nails shamelessly dancing over his chest. What does it represent?" Her voice was sultry and a little breathless, she was leaning in and he was unphased as she pressed herself harder against him.
"It means the Way of the Dragon," he said flatly, as if answering the same question for the millionth time.
"And what's that then dude?" came guyliner's response. He was sat the other side, also topless and sweating but sporting a toned dark physique. It was obvious too that he was into the man, his hazel eyes full of desire.
"It's a steady progression, a way to getting what you want rather than be devoured by the flame." Tattoo guy had a deeply sensual voice, it rumbled like a distant train approaching from afar. It made me listen intently. " The Way of the Dragon is like fire, it can burn all the way, or lead to a Path to the Dragon."
Guyliner spoke again in a bravado like jock way,
"is that some sort of Kung Fu type shit man? I dig martial arts, I love all that full on body contact stuff."
"Me too," chirped up blondie, not to be outdone for his attention by her competition.
I moved away, I didn't need to know about their sordid little games. It still looked a lot like snakes and ladders to me. You go up ladders, fall down snakes, such is the way of life. I lingered in the shadows and forgot about the trio on the sofa.
I returned to that room an hour or so later to escape the thumping music and frantic people. I wasn't good with crowds and even less so with this one. They were at the full on intoxicated stage, and though I enjoyed the music I didn't like the fools some people became. I saw that guy they called The Dragon again, dancing intimately with three beautiful girls. They were all in their late teens, almost fighting each other to get close. It left little to the imagination and his body seemed to ripple to the sway of the beat. But from my angle, I saw it, tiny wisps of smoke seemed to eminate from the nostrils of his dragon tattoo. I'd obviously drunk too much and my mind was playing tricks on me, so I headed back to that same sofa. And curiously, there where his two adoring fans had been sitting, was a ring of ash and smoldering burnt out fabric. Even odder I thought, as I sat in the middle where a short time before The Dragon had sat.
"That Dragon guy, man he's hot," I heard in hushed voices from behind me. I must have dosed off 'cause I had soot all over my outfit where I'd laid out.
"Yeah he is, he's already been upstairs with some new guy, those three chicks, and now that dude from the modelling agency. He's insatiable man," came the reply.
I wasn't surprised. He was certainly the object of desire, but it seemed odd he was playing it all so very casual. He must have some sort of gift indeed if he could bed so many on the one night. The voices tittle-tattled for a while and it kind of made my head spin and sent me back to sleep. It was the low rumble of his approach in my head, the intoxicating timbre of his voice. I dreamt of him I admit, but it was a sweet dream.
When I awoke to silence I knew they'd gone, and I felt much better. But then I noticed him, The Dragon, sat on the arm of the sofa watching me.
"Hey man, that's a bit creepy, I've got bedhead and I prefer to sleep alone."
A big grin spilt over his face and the full power of his jade eyes fell on me. I was mesmerised. Thankfully by now he'd put on his shirt so I wasn't more distracted.
"Bedhead?" he asked.
"Yes, this." I pointed to my hair. Though short it always stuck up in five different directions if I ever fell asleep without a pillow. I was busy trying to pat it down before he'd could make fun of it. But instead he just watched me with a faint smile and look of indulgence.
"Would you like a drink?" he asked.
"Nah, thanks but I'd better not, it's what made me nod off in the first place."
He moved to come sit next to me as I sat up. It felt wrong, I wasn't prepared for his proximity. My body tingled. He gave off seriously sexual vibes whether he knew it or not. That made me even more uncomfortable. I felt I was a mouse in the hypnotic sights of the rattle snake.
"Do you need anything else?" he asked seductively as I tried not to make it obvious I was scooching up a bit away from him.
"Well your name would be nice," it came out before I'd even checked it in my head.
"I'm The Dragon," he rumbled deeply.
I laughed. I outright went into hystreonics, it was just too precious.
"Someone's full of himself. No, your real name." I waited patiently, he didn't seem upset by my response, but he took his time.
"I've been watching you. You're not like the others." He was intrigued, I could tell.
"That's still not a name. I'm Gabriel, as in the Archangel." I reached out to offer him my hand.
"Iblis," he answered shaking it smiling with a warm firm grip," as in the Devil, nice to meet you."
And so these things start. The connection was undeniable, but his obvious allure kind of went against him. I was mindful of the rumours and gossips, but I prefer to make my own mind up. And the ash, and the smoking hot tattoo that moved? Maybe my mind was playing tricks with me. He was a charmer, but not as I expected. He listened, he was attentive, he had much to say on many things and I thought it showed he had a mind under that magnificent shell. That thrilled me far more than his looks. But when he asked,
"join me for a dance?" I politely declined. It felt like he was testing me. He frowned when I said no. I don't think he was used to rejection, but he didn't give up.
"You haven't asked me about why I'm called The Dragon." he finally said.
"I heard you Iblis, speaking to others. About the Way of the Dragon yadda yadda....that's your business not mine."
And with that I felt it was time to make my exit. It had been pleasant chatting to him but I wasn't looking to be another conquest, and I'd enjoyed his company not for his body but for his words and relatability. I didn't want this to turn into just another line to get me into bed. I wasn't sure I could resist when I was this tired, so it was best putting myself out of harm's way.
"Thanks for chatting, it's actually really nice to know the guy not the alter ego. I gotta get home as I've got the early shift tomorrow. Sorry to leave you hanging, but some of us need our beauty sleep."
"Not from where I'm standing," he actually said with a warmth that made it sound sincere.
"Yeah, well thanks. But I do have to go."
"Fancy a lift home?" he replied with hopeful candour.
"No thanks matey, I can make my own way." I wasn't good at goodbyes but this was getting awkward.
"Well I'll be seeing you then." Iblis stood and gave me something. I naturally reached out to take it. It was a small business card embossed with the same green dragon as on his back. It read:
"The Way of the Dragon didn't burn you, and you're on the Path to the Dragon...call **666*** to find out more."
I looked at him perplexed.
"It's all I got with my number on it," he said blushing. Not many find the Path, I hope you'll call me to chat more. I like you Gabe, I really do."
I took it and smiled and learnt in to hug him. He was seriously hot, I mean not like as in sexy which he was, but as in his skin was on fire. I let go pretty quickly and popped it into my front pocket.
"Sure Iblis, great meeting you. I'll be in touch." And with that I didn't turn back, though every nerve in my body was begging me to. He was the mysterious stranger we all hope to meet, but he was trouble, and I'm not sure that's a good thing. But man, there's something about him I can't quite put my finger on. Maybe he is worth getting to know better, maybe I should call him tomorrow.
"Bye Gabe," came like a bumblebee's buzz from behind me and I knew for sure I'd definitely be ringing. Oh man, I always attract trouble even when I don't go out looking for it. He's trouble with a capital T. I'm doomed.
© .Garry Saunders
They were calling him The Dragon. He would dance at their parties, take his top off and expose this strange tattoo all down his back. It was like a long lithe green scaled ladder, yet the spaces in between were paler. One end at the shoulder was a tail, and at the spine was an elongated fearsome dragon's head. In my mind I was thinking of the game snakes and ladders, it made me smile. Our eyes locked at the party above the loud techno beat, and he seemed curious. Most were checking out his perfect abs and flawless skin, but I was merely thinking of a children's board game. I guess he didn't see lust in my eyes, he saw humour, and that amused him. He watched me for the longest time and I felt uncomfortable so I moved out of his line of sight. I was used to blending in, remaining hidden, a chameleon adapting to those around me. I didn't want to be noticed, I wanted to be appreciated instead. Big difference. The likes of him will always be adored and fawned over without even trying, because both guys and girls liked what they saw. They fancied their chances, and their attempts were very unsubtle, making it obvious what they were after.
Later that evening I was getting a drink from the table near the sofa. I heard some voices from that seat long before I looked. I knew it was him sat there with his back to me. Either side of him, his muscular arms around each, were a guy and girl.
"I really like your tat," she said, her red lacquered long nails shamelessly dancing over his chest. What does it represent?" Her voice was sultry and a little breathless, she was leaning in and he was unphased as she pressed herself harder against him.
"It means the Way of the Dragon," he said flatly, as if answering the same question for the millionth time.
"And what's that then dude?" came guyliner's response. He was sat the other side, also topless and sweating but sporting a toned dark physique. It was obvious too that he was into the man, his hazel eyes full of desire.
"It's a steady progression, a way to getting what you want rather than be devoured by the flame." Tattoo guy had a deeply sensual voice, it rumbled like a distant train approaching from afar. It made me listen intently. " The Way of the Dragon is like fire, it can burn all the way, or lead to a Path to the Dragon."
Guyliner spoke again in a bravado like jock way,
"is that some sort of Kung Fu type shit man? I dig martial arts, I love all that full on body contact stuff."
"Me too," chirped up blondie, not to be outdone for his attention by her competition.
I moved away, I didn't need to know about their sordid little games. It still looked a lot like snakes and ladders to me. You go up ladders, fall down snakes, such is the way of life. I lingered in the shadows and forgot about the trio on the sofa.
I returned to that room an hour or so later to escape the thumping music and frantic people. I wasn't good with crowds and even less so with this one. They were at the full on intoxicated stage, and though I enjoyed the music I didn't like the fools some people became. I saw that guy they called The Dragon again, dancing intimately with three beautiful girls. They were all in their late teens, almost fighting each other to get close. It left little to the imagination and his body seemed to ripple to the sway of the beat. But from my angle, I saw it, tiny wisps of smoke seemed to eminate from the nostrils of his dragon tattoo. I'd obviously drunk too much and my mind was playing tricks on me, so I headed back to that same sofa. And curiously, there where his two adoring fans had been sitting, was a ring of ash and smoldering burnt out fabric. Even odder I thought, as I sat in the middle where a short time before The Dragon had sat.
"That Dragon guy, man he's hot," I heard in hushed voices from behind me. I must have dosed off 'cause I had soot all over my outfit where I'd laid out.
"Yeah he is, he's already been upstairs with some new guy, those three chicks, and now that dude from the modelling agency. He's insatiable man," came the reply.
I wasn't surprised. He was certainly the object of desire, but it seemed odd he was playing it all so very casual. He must have some sort of gift indeed if he could bed so many on the one night. The voices tittle-tattled for a while and it kind of made my head spin and sent me back to sleep. It was the low rumble of his approach in my head, the intoxicating timbre of his voice. I dreamt of him I admit, but it was a sweet dream.
When I awoke to silence I knew they'd gone, and I felt much better. But then I noticed him, The Dragon, sat on the arm of the sofa watching me.
"Hey man, that's a bit creepy, I've got bedhead and I prefer to sleep alone."
A big grin spilt over his face and the full power of his jade eyes fell on me. I was mesmerised. Thankfully by now he'd put on his shirt so I wasn't more distracted.
"Bedhead?" he asked.
"Yes, this." I pointed to my hair. Though short it always stuck up in five different directions if I ever fell asleep without a pillow. I was busy trying to pat it down before he'd could make fun of it. But instead he just watched me with a faint smile and look of indulgence.
"Would you like a drink?" he asked.
"Nah, thanks but I'd better not, it's what made me nod off in the first place."
He moved to come sit next to me as I sat up. It felt wrong, I wasn't prepared for his proximity. My body tingled. He gave off seriously sexual vibes whether he knew it or not. That made me even more uncomfortable. I felt I was a mouse in the hypnotic sights of the rattle snake.
"Do you need anything else?" he asked seductively as I tried not to make it obvious I was scooching up a bit away from him.
"Well your name would be nice," it came out before I'd even checked it in my head.
"I'm The Dragon," he rumbled deeply.
I laughed. I outright went into hystreonics, it was just too precious.
"Someone's full of himself. No, your real name." I waited patiently, he didn't seem upset by my response, but he took his time.
"I've been watching you. You're not like the others." He was intrigued, I could tell.
"That's still not a name. I'm Gabriel, as in the Archangel." I reached out to offer him my hand.
"Iblis," he answered shaking it smiling with a warm firm grip," as in the Devil, nice to meet you."
And so these things start. The connection was undeniable, but his obvious allure kind of went against him. I was mindful of the rumours and gossips, but I prefer to make my own mind up. And the ash, and the smoking hot tattoo that moved? Maybe my mind was playing tricks with me. He was a charmer, but not as I expected. He listened, he was attentive, he had much to say on many things and I thought it showed he had a mind under that magnificent shell. That thrilled me far more than his looks. But when he asked,
"join me for a dance?" I politely declined. It felt like he was testing me. He frowned when I said no. I don't think he was used to rejection, but he didn't give up.
"You haven't asked me about why I'm called The Dragon." he finally said.
"I heard you Iblis, speaking to others. About the Way of the Dragon yadda yadda....that's your business not mine."
And with that I felt it was time to make my exit. It had been pleasant chatting to him but I wasn't looking to be another conquest, and I'd enjoyed his company not for his body but for his words and relatability. I didn't want this to turn into just another line to get me into bed. I wasn't sure I could resist when I was this tired, so it was best putting myself out of harm's way.
"Thanks for chatting, it's actually really nice to know the guy not the alter ego. I gotta get home as I've got the early shift tomorrow. Sorry to leave you hanging, but some of us need our beauty sleep."
"Not from where I'm standing," he actually said with a warmth that made it sound sincere.
"Yeah, well thanks. But I do have to go."
"Fancy a lift home?" he replied with hopeful candour.
"No thanks matey, I can make my own way." I wasn't good at goodbyes but this was getting awkward.
"Well I'll be seeing you then." Iblis stood and gave me something. I naturally reached out to take it. It was a small business card embossed with the same green dragon as on his back. It read:
"The Way of the Dragon didn't burn you, and you're on the Path to the Dragon...call **666*** to find out more."
I looked at him perplexed.
"It's all I got with my number on it," he said blushing. Not many find the Path, I hope you'll call me to chat more. I like you Gabe, I really do."
I took it and smiled and learnt in to hug him. He was seriously hot, I mean not like as in sexy which he was, but as in his skin was on fire. I let go pretty quickly and popped it into my front pocket.
"Sure Iblis, great meeting you. I'll be in touch." And with that I didn't turn back, though every nerve in my body was begging me to. He was the mysterious stranger we all hope to meet, but he was trouble, and I'm not sure that's a good thing. But man, there's something about him I can't quite put my finger on. Maybe he is worth getting to know better, maybe I should call him tomorrow.
"Bye Gabe," came like a bumblebee's buzz from behind me and I knew for sure I'd definitely be ringing. Oh man, I always attract trouble even when I don't go out looking for it. He's trouble with a capital T. I'm doomed.
© .Garry Saunders
Related Stories
