[color=greenyellow][h3][center]Emma[/center][/h3][/color]

Spells? Power words? Emma's mind was still reeling. Dragons existed. Magic existed. She'd thought she knew how the world worked, and yet it turned out she knew so, so little. She peered at the sheet of paper on the door, but couldn't see her name. [color=greenyellow]"Dr Nidhogg?"[/color] she called, but there was no sign of him.

Emma started running again, searching the castle hallways, Maia bouncing along behind. No sign of Dr Nidhogg, but Emma gazed around at the intricate carvings on the walls and the decorations of precious metal. She'd never seen such a splendid place. This certainly wasn't anything like the hall of residence she'd spent her first year of university in, with the peeling paint, the yells of drunk people, and the fire alarm going off at ridiculous o'clock at night on a regular basis. Not that luxury was something she needed - she spent much of her time camping, after all - but it was a plus.

Maia craned her head towards the window, jumping up and down. [i][color=limegreen]Play. Play outside.[/color][/i] Emma looked out, taking in the view. A field of tall grass and flowers surrounded the castle, rippling in the breeze. It wasn't just the beauty that held her attention - something seemed to be calling to her, almost like Maia had done while still inside her egg.

It suddenly felt as if the walls, however opulent, were trapping her. [color=greenyellow]"Alright! Let's take a look around,"[/color] Emma replied. The dorm rooms were now the furthest thing from her mind. There was so much else to do. She grinned as she looked at the dragon. [color=greenyellow]"I'll race you!"[/color] Once more, she dashed down the corridor. Maia easily caught up. Although a newborn, her movements were already quick. Remembering the required word to open the doors, Emma burst through them and stopped, catching her breath from all that running.

[color=greenyellow]"I think that was a draw,"[/color] she panted, turning to the dragon at her side. Maia immediately slid like a snake into a patch of overgrown foliage, disappearing from view. [color=greenyellow]"Maia?"[/color] Emma waded through the grass, pushing back leaves. [color=greenyellow]"Where'd you go?"[/color]

In a blur, the dragon leapt out. With a yelp of surprise, Emma staggered back, nearly falling over. Bursting out laughing, she leaned down and rubbed Maia on the head. Her eyes widened at the sight of the hatchling in the late afternoon sun. The buds all over her back and tail had started to open into flowers of red, pink and purple. [color=greenyellow]"Oh, Maia, that's beautiful!"[/color] She dug out her phone and took a snapshot of the dragon.

Brushing against some nearby wildflowers, Maia uttered a few strange words. The plants immediately shifted and bloomed, growing to several times their former height. [i][color=limegreen]Grow. Make grow,[/color][/i] the young dragon said. She faced Emma and chirped. [i][color=limegreen]Emma make grow.[/color][/i]

After staring in wonder for a few moments, Emma repeated Maia's words... or what she thought were the same words. She gasped as the grass and flowers shot up at an alarming speed all around her. She'd just done that. She'd cast a spell. An actual spell.

Her elation soured into panic as the grass kept growing out of control, rapidly starting to resemble a jungle's vegetation. She must have said the words wrong... How did she make it stop? [color=greenyellow]"Oh crap... Somebody help!"[/color] she yelled as tangled foliage surrounded both her and Maia. [color=greenyellow]"Dr Nidhogg? Dr Nidhogg!"[/color]