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

“ They keep calling me ‘ Ghost Boy ’ ” Joqur said, he found it hard to look into Chelsie ’ s eyes as he said it. 
 
 Before his Choosing Ceremony, staring into her eyes was a favorite pastime of his, albeit a covert one. Two years his elder, she always seemed to be there for him when he needed her. In a city the size of Gilead, her constant presence was truly a feat—the logistics of which he had not quite determined. 
 
 In part he refused to question out of fear. Ten years now they had been inseparable. Her touch, her eyes, and most of all her words had kept him going during the most trivial of trials and those more demanding. His most cherished memories of her were blurred kisses, shared under moonlight in the fields of the outer walls after drinking cheap root drink her and other students had stolen or smuggled for the New Year celebrations. 
 
 Yet, since her Choosing Ceremony two years and not a fortnight passed, she had changed. She was still there when he needed her, without question. Yet since receiving her Sea Eagle she spoke more and more of her travels to come; the lands she would explore, the new tongues, the colored people. These travels of course did not involve the studious Joqur—his travels were little else but through ink and parchment. To date, however, she had not left. 
 
 And of course she spent time tending to her resonant. Sea Eagles were large creatures. Hers was the size of a man and the wingspan of four. Given time and special attention it was said even some could be ridden. 
 
 “ Joqur… ” Chelsie reached over and gave him a soft pat on the shoulder and stared where his eyes should ’ ve been if his head weren ’ t downturned. After some time his eyes met hers. She gave a soft but strong smile. 
 
 “ Ghost boy because of all the 79 men of my day-of-birth this Choosing Ceremony I was the only one to receive no resonant whatsoever. They said my resonant must be a Ghost and he hides in the books I cling to. ” 
 
 “ Joqur, please stop. ” Her voice was gentle yet firm. 
 
 “ I ’ ve talked to my father as I told you I would. He says the records at the Changing Gate indicate that this has happened before. In the last Century a pair of twins didn ’ t receive their resonant at their Choosing Ceremony either. They had to wait a month for theirs to come. ” 
 
 Chelsie lived not far from Joqur, though their families were of different report. His family walked to the second wall during the faming season and worked for their rice and roots. Chelsie ’ s father worked in the Great Temple and her mother ran a large Inn close to the Capital Building. 
 
 Chelsie ’ s voice rose in pitch as she saw some light pop back into Joqur ’ s eyes. 
 
 “ Well it has been only three days. Maybe I ’ m like them then? My resonant has yet to come? ” Joqur ’ s chest finally rose and he pulled his hands away from his face as he took a deep breath and offered a slight smile. 
 
 “ I think it could be. ” Chelsie said smiling. She soon began to chuckle and this built in to a roaring laugh. 
 Joqur ’ s laughter slowly joined with hers and rose in volume until they were both rolling on the floor in her parent ’ s sitting room as though they were youngins again. 
 
 Their laughter was harshly interrupted as Chelsie ’ s father abruptly entered the room. 
 
 “ Joqur? Well, I ’ m surprised to see you here… But relieved. I ’ ve been sent to find you ” Joshua was tall, guant and regal. He too spent much time in books. After meeting Joqur by chance as a young boy he began paying for his schooling. He always assured Joqur that his mind was sharp as any and that no low-birth could dull the wit the gods had given him. 
 
 “ My parents must need help with the sorting at home, I ’ ll— “ 
 
 “ No Joqur, not your parents. ” Joshua ’ s tone was clear, almost harsh. His normal quite demeanor was not to be seen. 
 
 “ I ’ ve looked into your Choosing Ceremony. The water priests at the Great Gate have informed us that your resonant his here but we must leave immediately. There will be no time to invite your parents; no ceremony at all. This must be done now. I ’ d be happy to escort you to the Great Gate and be your witness. ” 
 
 “ Father that ’ s great! I ’ m sure I could be his witness though, and I ’ m sure my company will be much more interesting than yours down the Central Canal. As if he needs a companion for the three minutes it will take to paddle there. ” Chelsie shot her father a playful smile and nudged Joqur across the chin with her pinky finger. 
 
 “ Chelsie you are to stay here, you presence won ’ t be needed. ” His eyes lacked their usual twinkle and his prose was uncharacteristically witless. 
 “ Father! I— “ 
 
 “ You. Shall. Stay. ” 
 
 Joqur finally spoke. “ Chelsie don ’ t worry, you know I don ’ t mind being alone. This makes my Choosing Ceremony that much more fitting. ” A sudden rigor filled Joqur and he quickly stood tall and met the gaze of Joshua. “ Let us go Sir Joshua. ” 
 Joshua did little more than nod and they both left the room leaving Chelsie still on the floor looking bewildered and hurt. They quickly walked out the back entrance and into their family ironwood boat. They each took an oar and began to stroke. 
 
 “ Joqur, we have not much time. You must know you will not have your ceremony in the Choosing Room. I will take you through a small channel underneath the Sept. You will have your ceremony at the Pool of the Night Willows. ” 
 
 The Autumn breeze was strong, the splash of oars soft, and Joshua ’ s many adornments and jewels clanged the loudest, yet Joqur heard his heartbeat above all else. 
 
 “ I ’ m not a Priest… I, I, I don ’ t even go to the Sept as often as I should. I didn ’ t even make It there but once during the Reap Moon, maybe twice, I— “ 
 
 “ Joqur! Listen to me. ” Joshua ’ s voice turned deep and sharp. His jaw set firm yet, the muscles of his temples bulged as he ground his teeth yet his eyes revealed sadness. 
 
 In the silence created by his outburst their boat passed from the sunlit canal into a darker passage closed off to the sky. Slowly they wound their way down into smaller and smaller passages. Joqur ’ s breath quickened as he struggled to keep pace with Joshua ’ s stroke set by his long lean arms. Each breath seemed to rip between their silence while Joshua ’ s seemed to struggle only in reserving tears. His movements and breaths were as smooth as ever. 
 
 Finally, after what seemed to be an eternity to Joqur, Joshua stopped rowing and pulled his oar in. He gestured to Joqur to do the same. They slowly drifted down the canal as Joshua pulled a large crystal from underneath his billowing cloths. Soon the dark passage was light with the light of an amber crystal, the shape of which seemed to be shifting after each glance though the light was more constant than any torch or gnomic orb. 
 
 “ Joqur, I ’ ve loved you as a son and I always will. ” 
 
 Their boat continued to drift at a constant pace though they had not pulled and oar for minutes. The tunnel they traveled through seemed to be more ancient by the minute yet the walls were free from any algae or marks of wear. 
 Joshua stood abruptly and handed the amber crystal to Joqur. 

