All the King's Men {PJO RP}

[ThermalTrickster]

The sweat stained shirt makes him uncomfortable. It sticks to his body making him itch and move constantly, trying to get it away as it stays in place. A breeze rolls over him probably from the air vent that he's under and he shivers despite himself more likely from the anxiety he's been holding in since he came here. The chair he's sitting in is hard and it makes his body hurt and he knows he'll be sore down there tomorrow when he wakes up. The room he's in is cold and empty and he has the feeling as if he's being suffocated despite the shaky breathes he takes every few seconds. It's been two hours since the police brought him it and he wonders if he's going crazy for a moment. The short, plump man who left the room before seems to be tired of him and his answers, but that's the least of his worries.


His wrists hurt from the metal cuffs that they put him in and he wants more than anything is to go and walk away, but he restrains him. At last that's what he wants to think seeing as he remembers the sound of the door click as they locked it. He turns his head to the left watching a lone ant cross slowly pausing every few minutes before conintuing. He likes to think that maybe he's searching for something to eat.


His head perks up sharply and sucks in a breathe as the door clicks and opens slowly. A police officer who picked him up from the scene coughs before lifting a hand to motion him over. He swallows back a yelp of happiness as he stands slowly and makes his way over to him. It's been too long.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

(I'm only gonna use one character now, then introduce the others later.)


He knew he shouldn't have hit his stepfather, but what was he supposed to do? The piece of crap was slapping him silly! Yes, he pulled a knife on the fat tub of lard, and he honestly believed he should have cut deeper, but his weapon only grazed the nasty fat folds that his stepfather had. This wouldn't have been the first time Garrett got into trouble like this. It wasn't even fair! Why the hell did his mother protect that sorry excuse of a husband again! Garrett hated Charlie with so much passion that there aren't even words.


Garrett watched the clock on the wall for something to do while he waited on his mother to bail him out again. The woman walked in, her brown, curly hair bouncing on her shoulders in a ponytail. Her scared, green eyes wandered over to him. "Garrett!" She embraced her child, but he wouldn't have it. For one reason, he was in handcuffs, but the next reason was because she picked that creep again!


Mrs. Owens was sobbing, soaking her son's grey Kanye West t shirt. "Garrett, I'm so sorry." Again, it was the same routine. She would watch the fight, call the cops, send him off, apologize, then bail him out. It was the same old thing. The only thing saving Garrett at this point was the fact that he was only twelve now. "Whatever, Mom." His voice was hoarse. He couldn't take much more.


He couldn't understand why his mother wouldn't just let him go live with his father for a while to get away from this all. "Mrs. Owens-Hall, we're willing to release your son again, but he just has to stay out of trouble." The arresting officer just looked worn out with Garrett, making the kid chuckle. Together, the mother and son left the police station, just as one guy was coming in. Garrett wished the guy good luck.

 

[ThermalTrickster]

By the time he steps outside the Sun is already setting in the West and is he looks hard enough he can see the faint trickle of stars in the sky. The wind blows softly against his skin, but he ignores it in favor fluffing up his jacket and making his way on the somewhat busy sidewalk. As he moves along at a leisurely pace he occasionally turns to the left murmuring a quick "Excuse me" and "Pardon me" every so often as someone stands in his way. As the people seem to get sparser and sparser he thinks back to before in the morning. If he tries hard enough he can still smell the thick scent of blood that littered the wall and the freshly coat of spraypaint on the wall that drips like blood.


"They're coming." The words seem to be printed in his mind like a permanent marker and every time he tries to get rid of the memory it's still there. Black and solid and pressing against his mind like a circus. The bodies under the words smell rank with burned pieces of flesh and bone scattered about and every time he tries he just can't....forget. He swallows back the nausea that settled in his throat since he saw it and tries to think of something else. But every time he tries it flashes in his mind quickly and ragged and the smell follows him. Charred flesh, bones sticking out of skin, and eyeballs gouged out like eggs, and intestines scattered about carelessly.


He shivers despite the warm Summer heat.


Looking up he sees the Orphanage. The bright letters painted sloppily to give it some kind of appeal, but he knows that it's all just some kind of scam run by Mrs. Mary to get them out the house and out of her life. He wonders for the millionth time why she even bothers to run things even though she doesn't care about them. He doesn't remember much about his life before he came here. It's only a whirl of colors and sounds that he can't identify even if he tries. Opening the silver gate that leads to the yard he licks his dry lips and tries to forget he's past his curfew. Slipping past the gate and locking it behind himself he pauses to sniff himself beforehand and nods in confirmation at the faint scent of soap that Mrs. Mary is to cheap to buy.


He can already hear the sound of yelling even before he get's there and to be honest that's a better alternative than listening to the yelling that goes on inside his head.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Mom?" Garrett got into the car, his wrists still numb from the cuffs. "Yeah, Hon?" She asks sweetly, watching the road, but leaning toward him to let Garrett know she was listening. Garrett sighed, ruffling his own hair. "Why can't I go live with Dad?" He could see his mom's grip tighten on the wheel. "Garrett, we've been over this. Your dad is very busy. He doesn't have time for kids." She couldn't tell him the truth. It wasn't his job. "He should have thought about that before he got you pregnant." Garrett hated that explanation. "Why won't you just give me his name? What are you scared of? Do you honestly think I'm gonna go lookin' for him if he hasn't even bothered to come by by now?" He just couldn't understand. "I'm scared, Garrett, because, if you knew him, he'd get you into a load of trouble that you can't get yourself out of." Garrett sighed, not knowing what to say. The rest of the ride home was silent, broken only by the radio. When he finally reached his room, Garrett groaned, annoyed. Already, his stepdad was downstairs, yelling at his mother for some random reason. Garrett didn't know how much longer he could take this mess. "They're coming." A voice whispered in his ear. Garrett fell out of his bed. A note was on his computer. When he read it, he was stunned that he even could! He was dyslexic! There was a strange aura about this note.

 

[ThermalTrickster]

By the time he opened the door he should have known something was wrong by the silence that greeted him. Since the day he got here and from the time he left all he had ever know was constant noise. Be it the constant chatter of his 'siblings' or the occasional yell from the younger kids who roughhoused on more than one occasion. It was his life. Noise was his home. It wasn't meant to be quiet or anything like that. Sure he never spoke much, but he appreciated the way it helped him block out the noise from his head.


Looking around he saw the empty living room, he glanced at the small tv that looked worn down, and the couch that was seated across from it. The occasional lamp lit the way, but they needed fixing and even more they needed new lights. He made a note to check that later as was his duty as one of the oldest. He couldn't help, but frown at the thought of Mrs. Mary and her carelessness. Even so he couldn't change it even if he wanted to....not with her around.


Making note he slowly stalked upstairs, keeping his head down to check for the steps in case he fell and broke something, and flinched at the creaking. A noise startled him. His head snapped up and his breathe caught in his throat as he swallowed back the uncanny fear. Rolling his eyes he called out softly.


"Hello?" Nothing happened. Everything was still and the light cast dim shadows everywhere as he looked around. He fought the urge to flee, but bit down on his resolve and tensed.


A moment later something shot out of the darkness, fast and quick, and he almost fell but caught himself as he stumbled down a few steps. Two yellow eyes peered at him curiously before licking a soft furred paw.


"Millie! Oh, it you...please-don't-I mean...whatever." He sighed in defeat. "He girl..." he leaned down towards the cat making cooing sounds until she came toward him gracefully. Her long tabby coat shone in the sunlight. He could tel she had just groomed herself recently.


Petting her quickly he shooed her away and watched as she hurried away leaving a light trails of water from her whiskers. He made a note on that too. Heading towards his bedroom he laughed at himself. "Oh god, I was scared of Millie? Wait till Joel hears about that!" He paused in his sentence as he saw a clean yellow note on his door. Heart dropping he sighed and tore it down before reading it.

Went to the Market with the kids.


Be back soon.


-Mary






​

 

[Saiyan Princess]

A young female sat on the kid's bed, her wavy hair in her face as she waited silently to be noticed. Millie had probably seen her by now, which could have been why the cat scurried down the hall. "Good afternoon." She addressed the male who had entered. She stood, and walked over to shake his hand. Every time she would put her feet down, she would limp. "I'm Vanessa. You probably weren't expecting any visitors, but I'm assuming you know why I'm here?" Her big brown eyes traveled to the male's face. "It's weird...no other kid I've worked with could read a note like that." How could a demigod read clear English? This was weird. Vanessa fingered the belt around her waist as if it were really irritating her.


Garrett stood up quickly, hearing the fighting downstairs get worse. He could hear that ugly, old piece of crap rant about dinner. "That's it!" He ran into the kitchen, eyes flaring with anger. His heart rate sped up. Finally, he grabbed his stepfather and shoved him into the pantry door. "If you touch her again..." Woah! What happened to his voice! It sounded like something out of a horror movie! He turned his gaze to his mother, who was holding her face. She was staring at him in horror, and a strange sense of pride. Garrett walked toward her and embraced the woman for the first time since coming home.

 

[ThermalTrickster]

Letting his hand drop by his side slowly he evened out his breathing so that he could calm down. His throat was suddenly dry and a sickness seemed to be in his throat. His mind seemed to be blank despite the rising questions that he had. They raced through his mind one by one making it tumble together into a big pile that he couldn't separate even if he took his time. His mouth hanging open in a small 'O' he blinked as if to clear away the image of the girl standing before him.


Who was she?


How did she get in here without the key?


Why is she so confused that I can read a note?





And most of all, who was she and what did she mean by her statement? Realization hung heavy in the pit of his stomach as he swallowed back the tightness in his throat. He let out a shaky sigh and cracked a weak grin if only to ease the tension in his body.


"Are you from the police?" the words felt heavy on his tongue. "I-I didn't know about the body...I didn't even know it was there! I didn't touch it I swear and I left as soon as I could...." Guilt cracked under his skin as he rambled on and on. She was here to take him to prison wasn't she? Gritting his teeth he stepped back slowly feeling the chill run down his body. He had to run, but to where? Mrs. Mary? No, she would try and sell him out....His anxiety ran through him getting stronger and stronger until his breathing became labored and he in a flash he raced down the steps startling Millie who had looked up from her bath.


He tripped.


His could feel his bones hitting each step as if it were a brick thrown at him and god it hurt like hell. He lay at the bottom of the steps for a moment before breathing slowly. In and out, he told himself. In. Out. Go. Pushing himself out of his stupor he staggered to his feet and caught his breathe in one quick motion before fumbling with the front door lock and then stumbling out, his hand pressed tightly against his rib.


God he was stupid. Now what? He growled and gave up....letting himself slide down next to the door slowly and sit back on his haunches. His knee was bleeding but it was just a scrape. He could see the blood spot through the hole on his jeans and he could see his brown skin peeking through. His pushed a hand through his dark brown hair and sighed.


Today was not Leon's day.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Leon." Vanessa smiled thinly, stumbling down the hallway after him. "I can help you. I know who you are. I know what you are." She couldn't take anymore of the wretched belt! Vanessa took it off directly in front of Leon and put it in the satchel she carried. She grew a few feet and her number of legs doubled. Vanessa grew a tail and a horse's body from the waist down. "Ah, that's much better." She tied her hair back in a ponytail and smirked at the irony. "Now, down to business. Leon, you weren't supposed to be able to read that note clearly, because a brain like yours is hardwired for ancient Greek." Her hoof barely touched the floor as she moved forward, eyes on Leon's injury. She pressed her fingers over his knee. Her hand glowed. "It's strange...that a demigod would be put up for adoption. Of course, your godly parent couldn't keep you, but your human parent could." She lifted her hand from the wound. "My people have healing powers."


Garrett's mother was petrified. "We have to go! Now!" She rushed him out the door. "Trust me. We don't have to pack anything. You have to get out of here!" Garrett, believing that his mom was just sending him away again, tried to jerk away from her. His mother held on tightly, not letting go. "Why?! Why do I have to leave again?" He had been pulled out into the car. "Y-Your father...your father contacted you just now. I'll never forget that voice." Her black sedan picked up speed. "Mom? What are you saying?" He could tell she was scared, but scared of what? "Mom, who is he?" He placed a hand on her shoulder. "There are people that aren't like us. A group of 'people.'"

 

[ThermalTrickster]

As her hand touched his knee he could feel the warmth spread throughout his body. His insides felt fuzzy and soft and he sighed in relief as the pain washed away. He grunted a small thanks before looking at her. More like staring if you asked him. He watched as her body shifted against her skin and legs appeared almost too fast for him to process and by the time he was done reliving the moment his mouth was gaped open boggling her and her...body,


His mind was racing so fast he could barley pick out her words. This couldn't be real. It shouldn't be real. She wasn't supposed to be here and yet he could remember the pain in his knee as it slowly dissipated and numbed. He forget how to breathe and coughed as he spoke out the next few words. "What are you?" They seemed to small, so fragile against her. He had only read about this in the myriad of books the orphanages librarian had given him and yet he still wouldn't...no couldn't believe this.


A sharp intake of breathe startled him bringing him back to his senses and making his shake his head left and right quickly. "No, I know what you are..."


Even as he whispered it he didn't want to hear it. To bring himself to say the word was to say everything he thought was imaginary was possible and so very real. If she was real...what else could be true? Was his father alive? Was he really an orphan? He paused for a moment before lingering on that thought.


Demigod.


That's what she had said. She even went as far as to say "Godly Parent." He blinked slowly before stumbling up with the help of the door railing. Standing up he looked upwards to face her. Damn...Taller than he thought.


"Are you a centuar?" His words sounded childish and wistful as if he were asking if the tooth fairy were real. Smiling softly he chuckled to himself and closed his eyes for a moment before opening them. She's still there. A laugh tore out of him as if barricaded by the thorns in his throat.


"Holy...What...what are you doing here?"

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Vanessa's big brown eyes met his. "Females are called 'centaurides', Leon." She corrected him. "And, my mother is actually a human, so I'm not a pure one. Don't ask how they slept together, I have no idea, but, as you have just witnessed, my people have magical capabilities. I'd imagine my father was able to remove himself from his wheelchair for a short amount of time without gaining his full power." She smiled down at him. "I'm here to take you to a place where children like you go as soon as you reach a certain age. Normally, it's around age eleven, at the earliest. At the latest, most of the time, it's thirteen. Now, you may or may not want to pack a bag, but that's up to you." Vanessa realized she hadn't really answered the question. "I'm assuming your school studies included Greek and Roman gods. Since they prefer their Greek names, I will only use them. There are Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, known as the Big Three, but Hades is actually the eldest. Zeus, his brother, took the 'top spot', however." Vanessa went through the entire list. "I've met them all at least once. Artemis and Zeus' wife, Hera, are the only two without demigod children, but Artemis has a group of hunters that are all girls. She chooses to stay away from men. Her hunters are children of other gods." It would have been much easier, in Vanessa's opinion, if Leon knew which parent was mortal. "Let's move, Leon."


"Yeah?" Garrett wasn't following. Mrs. Owens-Hall continued with her story. "Garrett, your father loves you so much. I'm sure of it. The thing is, he's already married." "So, you willingly had a kid with a married man." Garrett was just getting more and more angry. "Does he have any other kids?" "Two, technically, by the same mother, but not his wife." The mother told the son. "What do you mean by 'technically?' He either has two other kids with another lady or he doesn't." Garrett turned down his music as his mom continued. "One of them, his daughter, your father told me, is dead, as well as her mother." This conversation went on forever. At least he now knew these facts:


1. His father was married.


2. He has two other kids by the same mother, but not his wife.


3. The mother and daughter were both dead.


4. The son now went in and out of the camp Garrett was stuck going to.


5. His parents met at a funeral parlor, where his father was a funeral director.


6. His mom had no taste in men.


7. His dad would definitely not be getting a Father of the Year award that Father's Day.


Garrett felt his mother pull up next to some weird archway. "I'll help you get your bag out of the trunk, but I can't walk you in. There's a barrier that I can't cross." She was watching nervously for any monsters, secretly praying to her lover to keep them safe for a little while longer. All she could feel was a cold wind of assurance. Garrett reluctantly hugged the woman and trudged up the hill toward the archway and disappeared from his mother's sight. She drove away.

 

[ThermalTrickster]

His voice felt shaky as he spoke. "I know about the myths...I've read books about them all my life." It was true he realized with a thought. That was the last gift his father had given him before he had left him. Leon didn't know why he kept him despite the numerous times he had tried to get rid of them. It was always something that got in the way or at least a sudden thought that always pressed in the back of his mind. He sighed softly and with a nod he calmed himself if only by a little bit,


With a tight smile he looked up at her and paused to take her in. It seemed so surreal as if he were in a dream yet he knew he wasn't. She was real. She was right in front of him. She was a living breathing centure...centuaride and he now knew the truth. Or at least half of it. "I'll got get my stuff..."


Without a second word or a moment of hesitation he turned and began to walk quickly upstairs. Noting with a bit of shock that his knee was fine he tapped it with his finger softly and gasped as he felt no pressure of pain against it. Just another reason that he wasn't dreaming. As he climbed the top of the stairs his mind raced with thoughts and images. The flashback of her growing legs and the changing of her size has startled him yet he knew better now than to question her. As he reached the second floor he turned his head to look at Millie who was watching him with a interest. For the first time he ignored her in favor of stepping into his room.


Swallowing softly he paused to take it in. A simple bedroom with two beds across from each other. His bed was nearest to the closet which he remembered had always given him nightmares of something or someone taking him away during the night. He chuckled at the silly thought and went on his knees to grab his suitcase under his bed in which Mrs. Mary had given him just in case someone had adopted him. He snorted at the thought. It had been 13 years since then and he still hadn't used it. He brushed away the dust that had settled and patted it coughing at the brown mist that rose up.


He didn't have much use of it or did he have much cloths to pack. Mary had made sure that every child had cloths that were sizes to big for them just so she didn't have to buy new ones. He frowned at his oversized cloths and felt the brushing of embarrassment as he remembered the centuraide downstairs waiting for him.


Just as he expected it didn't take long for him to finish packing his cloths. He finished the job with the extra socks he had gotten for Christmas and closed it up with a tight slap as he shut the brown lip. He paused for a moment to take it in. He was leaving. No questions asked. A part of him felt happy and the other part of him. The darker and bitter part of him felt scared. This was it...he was going...home. The word felt thick in his throat as he thought of it.


The books in his bag made it seem all the more heavier and more solemn as he swallowed down a dry sob. He knew for a fact that he wasn't coming back despite anything else...He was leaving for the rest of his life and for once...he wasn't going to look back.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Vanessa was still smiling as she waited for Leon. Upon seeing him come down the stairs a little while later, Vanessa sucked in her gut and took out her belt again. "I didn't think you'd want a ride. I can't really give you one anyway with that suitcase, but, don't worry. I can get you some really cool transportation, but I just hope you aren't carsick." Once she was on two legs once more, Vanessa led the way out of the house and fished in her pocket for a little gold coin, a drachma. With a smile, she placed it on the road in front of Leon's house and shut her eyes, keeping her arm out to stop Leon from going toward the coin. "Stêthi 'Ô hárma diabolês." She kept her eyes toward the sky. Dropping her arm, she turned toward him. "This is the fastest way to get to ca-ah!" There was a loud crashing sound behind her, accompanied with hysterical cackling. "Come on, Leon. Get in. I'll take the suitcase." Vanessa didn't think Leon would need one, really, but decided it would take more time for him to leave this upstairs. She took it and placed it in the trunk, then got in.

 

[ThermalTrickster]

Pausing before the car Leon let her take his trunk with a swift tug. Taking the car in he tried to forget the image on her transforming once more and the car magically shifting from a coin. Swallowing back the horde of questions that rose in his throat he glances to his left and down the street to make sure no one was watching. A grey haired old lady with a wrinkles lining her face was slowly shifting along the street occasionally stopping to take in the fresh air. She seemed to spot him and smiled raising an old hand in the air before passing by slowly. Leon blinked in confusion as he watched her shuffle down towards the sidewalk and into a store across the street.


She must have known. Leon blinked before stepping forward and putting a hand on the car door. All the while he watched the people trail the street with their dogs yet they were all the same. No one seemed to see the old sickly yellow taxi that seemed to be surrounded in smoke in front of him. Surely they would be closing in on him watching him and the girl as they climbed in. By the looks of the people one of them should have seen the girl transform and the car appear in mid air. Leon shook his head as he shivered despite the warm day.


Opening the car door he slid in softly beside the brunette and turned his head to watch everybody pass by. "Wait. What about Mrs. Mary?" He turned towards her slightly in desperation. Only half of him wanted to leave with no trace, but he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing that Mrs. Mary would...questioned over the disappearance over a missing child she was supposed to be taking care off. "We can't just leave her without telling her where I'm....going." He finished the sentence with a heavy feeling in his gut. She could be charged for child neglect if he didn't say anything. Despite her somber demeanor and snarky attitude she was all he had know since he was five. Every important memory of his always had her in it. From the time he had snuck out to the time she had given him his first birthday present she was always there. Watching over him and caring for him.


Narrowing his eyes he glared at the girl and put a hand on the door to open it. "I'm not leaving until you tell me what's going to happen to Mrs. Mary." His voice was firm yet scared. He remembered the girl's magical abilities and worried if he had crossed the line by trying to defy her. Shaking it off he bit his lip and scooted away towards the door as if warning her of him leaving.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Vanessa chuckled yet again. Her eyes washed over his features as she took Leon's hand. "I wouldn't open that door if I were you, kid." She warned as the car started up. The meter was going now, but, Vanessa wasn't worried about the fare. Her superiors had given her enough money to get him safely to camp. "Listen..." she sucked in a breath. "Your foster mother has been informed of this happening. I left her a note on your television set. I thought you would have seen that on the way out." Her grip tightened. Vanessa knew Leon wouldn't be getting away even if he tried. She herself had sensed the old woman and smiled with satisfaction. "They've come to the mortal world." She whispered under her breath. "My lady, do not worry about him." Vanessa's eyes flickered. "Your caretaker will be protected. I promise you that. Now, please, do not be difficult." Vanessa released his hand and spoke to the three drivers up front. "Good afternoon. Take us to Camp Halfblood, please." She heard one of them clear her throat before speaking. "Alright, alright. Don't get huffy. Hold on tightly, dearies!" All three cackled as the cab shot off.


(Here)

 

[ThermalTrickster]

Feeling the pressure in his hand decrease he jerked it back and with a wounded look rubbed it to soothe the pain that rippled through it. Even as he set his hand down he leaned back in his seat and watched as the world became nothing, but a blur of shadows and light crisscrossing into one another making no imaginable sense. The cackling of the ladies up ahead were shrill and made him light headed the more he tried to distinguish one voice from another. They all sounded the same, same pitch, tone, and same cackle that vibrated against his ears making him wince.


The taxi car jolted as he was pressed heavily against his seat his eyes hurting even by trying to look out the window of the car. The ground shifted under his feet and his mind whirled as he tried to pace his breathe, but every time he tried it felt as if he were breathing in barbs or thorns. His breathe coming out ragged and heavy and so loud in his ears that he closed his eyes. He grit his teeth and held on to the passenger door as the car curved left suddenly. No warning. Except for the all powerful cackle that sounded against him.


"What are they?" His voice came out hoarse and his breathe seemed to be caught in his throat. "Can't they s-slow down!" His voice went off as a high scream as the car seemed to float in thin air and then bounce back on the ground as if they were jumping a cliff. Leon bit his bottom lip and tried not to throw up as the car went into another fast turn.


OOC: I have to go. I'll reply later

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Vanessa's chest hurt. "Believe me! I'm nowhere near comfortable like this, Leon!" Her belt tightened on her waist, making her wince. Even in this form, she could feel the hooved half of her body go numb like this. "These three are the Gray Sisters! Technically, they serve Hades, but he doesn't really call on them all that often. You remember that old Disney movie, Hercules? Most of it's correct! The three share a single eye ball, but, I don't think they have it in right now!" Suddeny the car came to a stop and Garrett had to jump out of the way to avoid getting hit. As soon as the sisters saw him, they started cackling louder. "So, this is him?!" They asked together, opening the trunk with a press of a button. Garrett was at a loss for words, other than very loud swearing. The dragon guarding camp woke up and shot flames. "Woah, there!" Vanessa shouted. "Take it easy! Leon, get your stuff. Ladies..." She handed a sack of more gold coins to them. "Thanks for the ride." "Happy to help, Vanessa. Tell your dad we said hi." One said. "Will do." Vanessa responded.

 

[ThermalTrickster]

Clutching his chest with a set hand he was back in his seat breathing in and out quickly. His mind reeled with the images of the ride and the way everything shifted into one was melted into one big mess. His breathe came out in shallow gasps and every time he tried to swallow his throat made an audible sound and he watched the transaction of the golden coins being passed. Slowly his mind adjusted to the stillness and to the sound of trees swishing in the wind. Slowly he relaxed until he closed his eyes and licked his lips slowly before lifting a shaky hand to the car handle.


Legs numb with tension and heart still pounding he ignored the dragon in favor of this being some sort of bad dream from his occasional naps. His eyes caught the eye of a large amber colored image with a cat's eye in the middle. With a slight jolt and chill down his spine he saw himself facing the dragon and moved slowly to his left as he broke the contact. It's green scales glittered under the Sun making it shine in all directions and a wave of blue passed over him. The ridges on it's back were black and rugged and made him twitch his finger as if he had just cut them.


The dragon followed him as he got out the car with narrowed eyes and blinked once before turning back to it's post beside a rather large oak tree. It's wings tucked near it's sides gently. Walking slowly towards the back of the car he pushed down his ruffled shirt and tried to make himself look decent despite his clothes. His bags were light in his arms and they fit comfortably around his back. With a slightly nervous body he waited a good bit away from the dragon and listened for Vanessa.


"W-Where are we? Why did you take me here?"