[ WP ] When everyone turns 18 , they receive a pet which is figurative of their personality . You 're the first person to receive a dragon ...

In today's age where computers and science dominate the world, humanities advancement seem to be continually snagged on the rite of passage bestowed upon everyone at the age of 18. It is unknown where they come from yet animals dominate the political social structure. With only the rarest and most desirably unique striding atop the lesser individuals who have been less fortunate in their coming of age. 
 
 Every few years there are news reports of rich kids who receive a particularly unusual animal. With a Griffin flying down from the heavens and landing in a back garden in a quiet neighbourhood to a unicorn striding through a hedge at a birthday party and bowing to the new lucky owner. Yet the day to day life of many of these people is a reasonably normal affair. A common animal simply being that of a cat or a dog, occasionally a fish or a hamster to others. Many have rumoured that it has something to do with a persons last name and there are always urban myths that circulate. Usually with something like a primitive ritual at the moment the clock strikes twelve. However they are always wrong and usually result in a silly internet social status. 
 
 Yet....on this day, of all days. It is your turn. It is your time to find out what beast will enter your life from the day you earn it to the day that you die. Many throw a party, others simply let it happen but it is always universally an event that people will want to see. Your friends have come, one after another. You've prepared snacks and drinks and people are ringing the bell and you're welcoming them in. Many bring their own animal which usually results in a hodgepodge of humans and beasts alike. A regular zoo of more than one kind. 
 
 Time flies as everyone discusses their experience when it was their turn. Some express their disheartening discovery of when they found theirs whereas others are overjoyed to vicariously experience it through you. The night swallows the house and drinks and people are readying themselves for either a normal surprise or an awkward photo to upload to their own profile for all to enjoy. 
 
 The clock strikes twelve and... nothing happens. People look at each other and furrow their brows. `` Maybe it's really small?'' some joke in the crowd. `` Are you sure your clock is n't wrong?'' Others say as they return to retrieve another drink. The sound of a car passing is amplified by the awkward silence that has thickly settled on the eager group. 
 
 A gout of flame bursts upwards behind the treeline, illuminating the nearby houses and dazzling the attendees. A few let out a startled yelp and some hurriedly grapple at their phones in an attempt to get a shoddy vertical video off of the emerging beast. A heavy, ragged wheezing pierces the night and the thump of paws thudding into the damp earth draws closer. A snout emerges, scaly and black with teeth lining the gums of a hungry mouth. The crowd collectively gasps in awe and some flee into the house with fear getting the better of them. More of the snout emerges and emerald green eyes with slits for pupils sear into you, inspecting you. Horns sprout from the back of its skull and a long neck holds the head aloft. The thick matte scales seem to absorb light as more of the creature reveals itself as it rounds the corner to move toward you. It pauses, sniffs the air, then continues. Spines punctuating each vertebrae and wings extending away from its body with a wingspan easily spreading to twenty meters. By this point, many of the guests have retreated behind various items of garden furniture of have fled inside the house. Desperately hoping that such a mighty beast does n't see fit to devour them or roast them alive. With the bulk of the animal brought forward the tail finally makes itself shown. A muscular base and with spikes raking the sides of it, ending in a spiked club. 
 
 It pads towards you. Your feet jammed to the floor in fear and awe. Your heart hammering against your chest as adrenaline floods your system. It inspects you with its eyes that seem to pierce your very being. Scrutinising and judging your every action. Moments pass that seem to last for an eternity before you hear it exhale heavily. Its warm, damp breath washing over you and the force making you keep your balance in check for a moment. It brings its head low, towards you, laying on the ground in supplication. You tentatively reach a hand out and carefully place it onto its snout. The hairs on the back of your neck stand up and your mouth goes dry. 
 
 It's a dragon. 
 
 
 And it's yours.
