Tired of the monotony of winter, you booked a one week stay at a weird mansion located somewhere in Italy.
Barely thirty minutes after paying, a chauffeur came to your home in a limousine in order to bring you over to the villa.
Unusual to say the least, but you accepted and dozed off for it was a pretty long drive.

« Almost there, my dear friend. Is everything alright ? » Are the words you hear when you finally wake up.
On the verge of responding, you find yourself cut by a short yawn.
Looking through the window, you cannot believe what you see.
A dozen of bright, green hills spreads across the entire landscape, kissing a marvelous blue sky where cheerful clouds are dancing and playing together.
The sun is brighter than it has the right to be ; it is almost blinding, yet so relaxing.
In the distance, at the end of the rocky countryside road, you spot a cluster of buildings circled by thickets and ponds.
No doubt, even from here it is obvious that it is in fact the mansion.
« I'll take that as a yes ! Annnd... Here we are ! »
The gates of the villa slowly open, revealing a large, circular plaza with a peculiar modern-art sculpture made from pieces of different metals painted in red.
Upon entering, the sophisticated man slowly brakes then confidently parks the limousine.
There is a stranger outside wearing a red suit. He is watching the car from afar, under a pillared porch that oversees the place.
More ore less absorbed by this uncommon sight, you jump out of surprise when your chauffeur opens the door to let you out of the automobile.
« Oh, I am sorry if I scared you. »
Still in awe with the beauty of the surroundings, you step out of the car and look around. There is nothing but peace in these hills.
Everything looks unrealistically calm.
« Welcome to your home for the week ! This was a pleasure, my friend. Now if you'll excuse me, I still have work to do. I will let my colleague introduce you to this fantastic place. »

While he enters and starts the vehicle again, the man wearing the red suit quickly comes towards you.
Entirely bald, this fine looking gent has a very well kept beard growing down to his chest and two strong eyebrows. He seems friendly.
As the dark car slowly backs off, this new friend of yours starts talking in a rather loud manner, getting progressively softer as he comes closer.
His voice is so deep it could put you to sleep ; « Ah, welcome, welcome ! My name is Yoan and I am the butler of this mansion. We've been expecting you ! »
You don't even know what to answer.
This makes him laugh. He puts his fists on his hips and slightly bends forward, as if he was scolding you ; « Oh oh ! Not very talkative, eh ? Come on, I will show you the villa and then we will go to your bedroom. »
You trust him and simply follow without uttering a single word.
Funnily, you can't help but notice how the sun is reflected on his hairless head while he goes down some stairs.
This is where you start to recognize the pictures you saw on the website ; a very large swimming pool spreads right in front of you as you jump the last step, along with a steamy hot tub sprinkled with rose petals that will come in handy for night bathes.
To your left lies a massive bar with many drinks, touching the water of the pool.
At your right is a rather impressive building where you can go under to reach another part of the area. It has a single, open window.
Strangely, you could swear that you just catched a glimpse of something inside...
Or someone, rather, looking at you while slowly fading away.
Before you can notify the butler of this weird event, Yoan calmly says ; « By the way, I hope it will not bother you but... We have another guest. »
Fair enough, you think, that was probably them.
« The problem is that we only have a single bedroom. Something went wrong with our scheduling services and you both got it at the same time... He's a weird type. I think I like you more already. »
Now that is a problem.
You came here and paid premium price to find peace, not to share your room with a complete stranger who appears to be peeking at you from the dark.
« He spent his entire morning drinking cocktails on our superyacht, at the private cove. » Sighs the man, quickly adding ; « You see, it's a bit hard to keep track of everyone who comes around. We're receiving guests from all over the world and beyond. »

You realize the swimming pool isn't the only marvel of this place as you both go through a basketball ground, a superb garden with all kinds of flowers and finally, of all things, through the kitchen which is as big, if not bigger than your own home. Ouch.
Ending up in the courtyard again, you think about what your host said earlier ; receiving guests from all over the world and... beyond ? What the hell is that supposed to mean ?
As you proceed further, you stumble upon a big garage with several expensive-looking cars.
« Do you have your driver's license ? » He asks.
Of course you do and silently respond by showing said license.
He turns towards you and gives you a ring with a dozen keys attached to it.
« Then have these. You can drive these ladies as much as you want. There's a track outside, in the hills. Just follow the path and turn left at the first crossroad. Be kind to them and don't crash, hm ? »
Unbelievable. This is going to be an awesome week.
« And now, to your bedroom ! » Says the butler, raising his left finger in the air.
The same building you saw earlier from the swimming pool area is right in front of you, except it's from the other side, as if you went through the little tunnel that goes under it.
There are some open stairs leading to the long awaited bedroom.
« This is where I leave you. You will find everything you need in this suite ; terrace, shower, kitchen... You could very well live in here for the rest of the week. That would be quite disappointing, but you could ! » He laughs, while opening the room's door for you.
You don't even have the time to thank him that he already is on his way out ; « Have fun !Now if you need me in any way, just ring me with the little bell ! »

You sigh as you look at the door slowly closing.
Behind it is a beautiful, huge window that wasn't visible from the swimming pool.
The gorgeous view it offers is a real treat ; you can see the lush hills laying down in the distance, up to the point where you can barely tell if it's Earth or Sky.
The clouds sometimes paints the ground with the blue hue of their shadows.
Funnily enough, they always seem to avoid troubling the mansion itself...
As if they were deliberately staying away, leaving this place in a perpetual clear weather.
A small grove stands in the middle of the closest hill ; its green trees, bushes and rainbow-coloured flowers are bathed in the glorious sunlight of this summery afternoon.
The sweet fragrance of said flowers is even brought up here thanks to a soothing wind.
Now that the butler left, you manage to concentrate a little bit more and find that this place is not as calm as you originally thought it was.
A gentle breeze is caressing the leaves of these majestic plants.
It sounds like some sort of song, you can almost hear notes and patterns in it.
Speaking of songs, several birds and noisy insects are singing along with a heartwarming stream bubbling in the distance.
While admiring this fantastic landscape, you hear an irritating voice coming from behind.
« So you're my roommate ? »
Very much surprised, you turn around in an instant.
You can't really believe what you're seeing.
Right in front of the bed, on the marble frame of the window giving sight to the swimming pool you were at earlier, you see a small dragon lazily lying on his back.
A glass falls from his right hand, spilling the drink on the red carpet.
He looks slightly drunk.
« I hope you're more fun than this butler-guy. He's noooo fun. Doesn't want to play...
- What the fuck ?! Spyro ?! »
Are the first four words and name you've uttered today.
« Yeaaah ? No need to be rude ! » He responds, frowning.
You put your hands on your head ; how the hell is this even possible ?
« Uh, you alright there buddy ? Sorry if I scared you... »
Stunned, you sit on the bed and nod affirmatively.
« Cool ! 'Cause I kinda want to ask you something. »
He puts his right leg on the floor.
You wish he didn't. Or maybe you do ?
You're not even sure anymore.
Because, by the looks of what it revealed, he's quite happy to finally have some company.
He timidly smiles then winks at you ; « So, uh, wanna... Wanna play with me ? »

This is indeed going to be one fun week.
Not only do you have unlimited access to food, alcohol, prized cars, a basketball ground, a hot tub, a beautiful swimming pool... And even a superyacht ?
But you also have to share your bedroom with a drunk, frisky dragon friend. Great.

- To be continued -