Eileen and the Dragon

Eileen walked into the internet room. "Would you like to have coffee, before you go!"
The storyteller looked up. "Yes, absolutely." Then he hesitated a moment. "As always, I've got a couple of things I have to do online. Give me a few minutes and I'll come up."
She went upstairs to put on coffee, and put out two plates for breakfast on the balcony table. 

He walked in the door just as the coffee was ready. "Thank you so much again for inviting me up."
She handed him a mug. "You're welcome. Would you like some breakfast?" She motioned to the table on the balcony.
He made an apologetic gesture. "Forgive me, Eileen, I already ate. I was up and dawn and had breakfast and walked along the beach." The view from balcony took in most of the local beach, and he pointed vaguely to where he had walked. "I had a good idea for a story while I was out."
She had heard his stories earlier, and found them enchanting. "You really are an artist, aren't you?"
He felt emotions of pride and modesty rise within him. "I have a muse. The Greeks who lived on these islands in ancient times believe in muses, spirits who inspired stories and songs and art." He gazed out over the beach-front again. "When I walked along the beach, my muse gave me a great idea for a story..."
She looked at the breakfast table. "Are you sure you wouldn't like something?"
He smiled. "Thank you, but no." The table looked so bountiful, with wonderful fruits and other delicacies on offer. He continued. "When I'm adventuring on my own, I usually put out two breakfast plates. One for me, and one for my muse, the spirit that travels with me. It creates a nice atmosphere."
They continued to chat in the morning breeze. After coffee he checked the time. "I have to catch a fast ferry in a few minutes. Adventures await! Thank you so much for your generosity, Eileen."
They said a few parting words, hugged and he was gone.

Eileen walked backed to the balcony, and sat down. The storyteller was right, having an extra plate on the table did create a nice atmosphere. Like she had company. She listened to the morning breeze floating in off the beach, and closed her eyes.
"I'd like some breakfast, even if he didn't"
Her eyes opened with a start. "Who's there?" She looked around her, but saw no-one.
The voice spoke again, from just in front of her. "I'm his muse, the invisible dragon. I'm on the balcony ledge in front of you. I'd like some breakfast, if you are still offering...?"
She was dumbstruck. She stood up and walked forward, barely able to believe what seemed to be happening. "Where are you?"
The invisible dragon moved his head so she could touch him. "Right here." Her hands felt a scaly neck, warm and reptilian, but completely invisible.
Suddenly she laughed spontaneously. "Oh my god! An invisible dragon!"
Although she couldn't see it, the dragon had a big grin on his face, too. "Yes. A hungry, invisible dragon. He NEVER feeds me properly. We are always going on adventures, and I never get enough food!"

She looked at her table, so generously set. "Please, invisible dragon. What would you like? What can I get you?"
So they sat down to eat together, Eileen and the mystical, invisible dragon. They talked about what she wanted to do, what inspired her about her life, what she loved, where she felt confused, how she felt she had grown. He ate, enjoying her delicious food, and talked of his adventures with the storyteller, in many far off lands and places. A feast for two, to celebrate the magic and mystery of a muse.
After the meal the dragon made his apologies. "I have to go, I had better catch up with him..."
Eileen was a little sad he had to leave, but was so happy to have met this friendly invisible dragon. "Thank you so much for having breakfast with me..."
She heard the dragon flit to the balcony ledge. "Eileen, I told you a white lie before breakfast. The storyteller feeds me just fine. The food on our adventures is the best. But I wanted to speak to you on my own. To enjoy this marvellous place with you. Breakfast was just an excuse."
She felt such a warm, magical glow. "I'm glad you did."
The dragon said his farewell. "Time to fly, Eileen. Time to fly." With a beat of his wings he was gone.