(Author's Note)
Welcome to my main running Fanfic. ^^; I'm likely to update it more frequently than others and may even go back to tweak previous chapters. Please be gentle with Mark and me, we're not usually public.
Mark groaned as he sat up, rubbing his forehead. His mind was muddled and he wasn't sure he wanted to know what happened. Slowly he opened his eyes, first one, then the other, wincing as they adjusted to the scene around him.
It was different. Vastly different than what he was used to. He swallowed hard and looked at the foreign stone walls around him, the lush green grass beneath him, the bench he was resting on between two potted, manicured trees. A gasp through his nose at the change in scenery only brought an even more startling revelation.
There was no metal. He took a deeper breath through his nose, determined to pick up a scent somehow.
Nothing. No metal. Well… there was metal, but nothing near like the steel-rich city of his home, where the towers stood several hundred feet. Just a faint scent of metallic accents around, as if there were only a couple metal lamps, people wearing metal, but nothing like he was used to. No massive buildings of pure metal, no vehicles rumbling around with the scent of their alloys filling his nostrils with their appetizing allure.
He sat up, clinging to himself. Father… Father was going to be absolutely FURIOUS. This made him choke on a whimper. He knew he had been trying to escape his angry, abusive father before he blacked out. There was just something so … off. So different.
Then he figured it out. He closed his eyes to shut out all distractions, trying to focus. Usually there was a feeling deep inside, more at the base of his neck, almost near his collar bone, a faint tugging sensation that would lead him home whenever he got lost. Even when he had been sent on a field trip across the continent he had felt it.
But there was none here.
No pull, nothing.
His eyes flung open in horror. There was no pull, no tug, no way to find his location, no … No home. This sent an abnormal shiver down his spine. He immediately stood and looked around. All around him were stone-hewn walls polished white. He seemed to be set between an outer wall and the back side of a building, potted trees lining the wall as it twisted around the building. He stood and looked at the lush grass under his feet that seemed to thrive in spite of the cold nip in the air. He slinked towards the only way out… and froze at the site that greeted him beyond the buildings.
It was a town. No, a city. A city very unlike the cold grey city of noisy cars and flashing lights he was used to, but a city nonetheless. The buildings were elegantly made, white and purple and gold, with blue banners and crystals adorning them and brightly coloured glass windows in many of the buildings. He was so engrossed in the sheer beauty that he almost missed the inhabitants. But he was quick to notice now. Yes, humans, of course humans, but so many other beings that the humans seemed only a fraction of the population. There were werewolf-like beings, upright walking bovines, chubby panda-men. There were tusked beings with three fingers, blue cloven-hooved men, and angry looking orcs. There were also dwarves, small green goblins, short gnomes, undead... And to top it off, not one, but two different types of elves, one race normal-sized and pale skinned, the other massively tall and blue hued.
He was both awed and terrified at so many different types of beings in one place, all acting relatively tolerant of each other. Sure, there seemed to be a type of rift as half the races would go into one outlet but none of the other races would follow, but for the most part, they were accepting each other's company.
He was about to give into his curiousity and edge out of hiding when a roar from above sounded and he looked up, his eyes widening and breath disappearing.
A red drake was diving for the city streets, tanned wings flaring at the last minute as it came to a landing, roaring triumphantly before the head craned back, the drake lowering itself as the night-like elf rider climbed off, patting its scaly hide.
Mark cowered, dragons? Real, breathing dragons, that let elves ride them?! What was this place?
As the elf left the dragon, it lifted its wings to take off, but stopped, head lifting. The deep "whuffing" of it sniffing the air could be heard by the albino as he tried to pin himself between the wall and tree, hoping he'd remain hidden.
The dragon spied him, wings folding as the head rolled to one side inquisitively, the beast idly sauntered up to him, sniffing him.
Mark stiffened against the tree, leaning as far back into it as he could, ignoring the major discomfort that resulted from such an action. "N-n… I'm not f-food."
The dragon's head tilted to look at up, mirth seemed to sparkle in its golden eyes.
"Orostraz, leave the poor boy alone!" the dragon's elf called. She came up and put a hand on the dragon's flank, smiling at Mark. "He's harmless, I promise. He just gets too curious."
The drake whuffed a puff of smoke in mild annoyance, snuffling Mark some more.
"H-h-he won't … eat me, will he?" Mark's question was interrupted by the woman-elf's laughter.
"Of course he won't! What makes you think dragons eat people for no reason?" She grinned at him.
Mark glanced between the two, his body stiffening almost painfully rigid between the tree and the wall. "I-I'm not from around here."
She chuckled. "Could've fooled me. Just don't worry about Orostraz, he's harmless, I promise." She pushed on his head. "Let the poor thing be, you silly drake. You're giving him a heart attack." She then turned to leave to return to whatever errand she was doing. Mark glanced around to see if anyone looked the least bit concerned. No one seemed to notice at all. Actually, now that he looked more, he saw a few other dragons with humans.
The red dragon called to a bronze-scaled one. They seemed to have a short conversation before the bronze finally came over, huffing, then glancing at Mark, before nudging the red one aside with a scolding sound. It gave Mark a tentative sniff, before the head tilted. The drakes seemed to draw other attention as other dragons seemed to understand the conversation. Soon a colourful collection of dragons was surrounding him, sniffing and chattering.
Among the coloured drakes a white one was trying to push its way in, hopping and hovering and nudging to get closer.
A dark blue one turned to a brown-and-black one, and they started to bicker over something, before a shark-like glowing dragon approached with a strange, hulky beast behind it. The new creature seemed to be a dragon as well, but its appearance was far more … primitive. Tiny forearms seemed to hang uselessly from its chest while the thick wings acted as another pair of arms, bracing its weight.
The odd dragon bellowed, quieting the other dragons, before coming up to Mark, sniffing it with a large gruff snout. It made a surprised snort, turning to the sharklike dragon and chuffing.
The older dragon (or at least Mark assumed it was, the way the other dragons backed up a bit made the primitive looking beast seem like the elder) huffed, roaring at the group, causing them to scoot back. For good measure it flared its wings.
By now, most of their human- and humanoid-partners came by and were trying to usher them away from the terrified albino.
The elder dragon turned to glance at him, tilting its head before giving a sort of … nod? Almost like a greeting or something, before it too began to leave.
It stopped at the still lingering white dragon, trying to nudge it away, but the pale reptile huffed, dodging the nose.
The elder left with a snort as a small gnome hurried over.
"Blast, you conniving devil, come back here!" she huffed in a pitch that made Mark's ears flinch, trying to catch up to the white dragon.
Its wings drooped as it stayed put, giving her a protest but nothing more.
"I know it's crowded at the stables, but if you wanna find a proper home, you can't be running off like that!" She stopped to catch her breath.
Mark looked between them confused. "S-stables? You keep dragons in s-stables?"
She looked up, a bit surprised, before giggling, a sound that struck Mark as sounding like someone inhaled a balloon of helium and got too giddy. "No, silly! Well, not usually. I run the Dalaran pet and mount stable. Not only do I sell mounts and pets, I keep them for people staying in Dalaran. This big guy here just doesn't like being cooped up, but he can't very well survive on his own."
Mark glanced between the short gnome and the white dragon. "He c-can't?"
She shook her head, "He was found when he was a whelp and we can't figure out what flight he's from to give him a home with other dragons, as sometimes flights take care of their own. But he's albino so he can't very well sneak up on his prey, though he manages a bit on his own. Problem is, he'd need a companion to make sure he had a proper diet and could sleep in a safe place."
Mark carefully slinked from his place next to the rough tree, much to the relief of his senses. He looked at the pale eyes of the beast as it patiently awaited her, and he could see … despair. Again he took another step closer.
"What were you doing by that tree anyway? Looked like you were trying to make like a druid and BE the tree." She giggled at her own joke.
"Uhm, I just … got attention from a couple dragons, and it surprised me." He felt guilty for the half-lie but he didn't really want more attention. There was just something about this particular one that drew him. "So … what, you treat them like mounts?"
"Dragons are usually held in higher regard because they are very intelligent," she responded, "they're more like compatriots than simple mounts, but sometimes you get a cruel person now and again who hurts them just because they can. I tend to do checks on all my clients because I love my beasts and want them to be cared for and loved as part of the family." She looked at Mark curiously after she finished her answer.
Mark's natural pose was slumped, hiding his height, though it wasn't hard to feel tall around a knee-knocker gnome. This pose made his walk look more like a slinking motion as he moved up to the dragon, his gaze completely riveted.
The dragon noticed Mark's diminishing proximity and lifted its head to look at him, keeping still as if it didn't want to startle him.
"Do you … have a mount?" she asked.
Mark shook his head and reached a trembling hand to the nose of the beast. "I … just kinda got here…"
The dragon seemed to pick up on Mark's nervousness and moved slowly but deliberately, pushing its nose into his open palm.
Mark's lips twitched a bit in a flicker of a smile, feeling the smooth, armor-like scales under his hand. They were warm, feeling pleasant in his chilled fingers. He was trying so hard not to, but he felt a deep bond forming with this creature. "D… Does he have a name?" He glanced in the gnome's direction.
She smiled knowingly and shook her head. "I try not to name the ones I'm selling, or I'll get too attached and not be able to sell."
The tiny flicker of a smile he had quickly snuffed itself out at the mention of selling. His gaze dropped to the ground as he reluctantly pulled his hand away from the nose. A sad 'whuff' signaled the dragon's upset that their bonding was broken.
"What's the matter, dear?" she asked, tilting her head.
"W-well… I … have no money." He couldn't bear to look at the dragon, lest he see the soulful eyes. "So I wouldn't be able to buy him."
"He sure does like you, though," she observed as the dragon took a step towards the strange albino, nudging his elbow.
Mark finally forced himself to look at the dragon.
"What about you work to pay for him? Help me clean the stables and care for the animals?"
Mark couldn't help as his ears lifted a bit, his hair rippling around them. "D-do you think I could? I mean, h-how long would that take?"
She laughed that helium-pitched laugh again. "We can worry about that later, I'm sure a couple of months would be more than enough."
Mark had to fight to keep the smile from revealing his teeth. "I would love it, thank you, Miss … erm…" He felt embarrassment well up.
"Breanni." She smiled. "And you are?"
"Mark."
"Then come, let me show you where you're gonna work for a bit!" She turned around and seemed to almost jog down the street, while Mark and the dragon merely strolled leisurely beside her.
The building itself didn't look that big, but she lead him past the outer area, where – she explained – she sold and tended to official business, to the stables. And that was such a poor word for it. Each creature had a pen, yes, but it was a large and roomy pen with toys and water and food and all the necessities, as well as a window if they wanted to bask in sunlight. Mark was looking around, the dragon trailing shortly behind him, barely noticing that she had stopped until he nearly tripped over her. "S-s-sorry!" he squeaked.
She was quick to take a couple steps forward to put space between them, brushing herself off. "Don't worry, dear, it happens." Though her tone still sounded a bit bitter, and Mark couldn't blame her. His cheeks flushed from embarrassment. And that's when she noticed, craning her head to look up at him. "Are you blushing?"
The question only added fuel to the golden fire and he tried to hide his face. "I just feel bad for almost stepping on you."
"No, no, it's not that." She motioned him to kneel.
He was hesitant, swallowing hard against his mounting fear. Normally by now, things would start going downhill. The dragon put its chin on Mark's head, heavily, which made his kneels involuntarily buckle and he knelt awkwardly. What blush he had was now starting to drain in pale fear, but there was still enough for her to study.
"Ooh, such a lovely colour!" she remarked, throwing Mark offguard.
"E…Eh, … what?"
"I've never seen someone blush like that. Nightelves are fun if you can get them to blush, because they get so very purple, but never have I seen an amber blush! You must have fascinating skin or blood to do something like that!" She reached up to pat his cheek.
Mark flinched away, almost stumbling backwards from his over-reaction.
Her expression was one of surprise and a bit of sorrow. "I wasn't going to hurt you, honey."
He was quick to stand up, almost running into the dragon. "S-s-sorry."
Her gaze softened as she watched him. "You … seem to apologize a lot."
Mark opened his mouth to stammer another apology, before quickly shutting it, eyes now off to the side. He really didn't want her to press the matter, if his father could come here and found out, he'd be livid if he told someone, and he didn't want to deal with that.
Thankfully, she seemed to accept his silence and after watching him a bit, slowly turned around. "Basically you'll change the hay out once a day and make sure they have plenty of water and food. Some of them have special needs, like this one," she motioned to a large, six-legged lizard, a laugh forming in her voice, "His hunter claims he likes to over-eat so we have to measure his food. Don't look directly at it, Mark."
Mark's eyes had started to drift towards the creature, but were quick to stop and focus back on Breanni. "W-why?"
"Basilisk. His gaze can turn you to stone."
"H-how does his hunter manage?"
"I don't know. I'm not a hunter myself, personally. I have to keep charms on me to stop any impairing spells when I tend to them." She began to walk through, leading between the stables.
Mark couldn't believe the creatures there. If a basilisk was strange, the other creatures were stranger. Giant insects of varying types, wolves so large they could look him in the eye, saber-toothed tigers with long tails, and…
He stopped short. "That's a dinosaur," he stated simply, shocked.
Breanni stopped and followed his gaze. "Yes, a raptor."
"It's a dinosaur," he emphasized. "How is there a dinosaur?"
"Her hunter wanted her taken care of while he tended to some business in the underbelly."
"They're extinct, how is there a…"
The dragon nudged Mark's back, making him yelp a bit in surprise and discomfort.
"Well," she giggled, "Apparently they're not that extinct. There's quite a few different species of raptor, even. Oh, have you seen a devilsaur?"
Mark looked at her, expression blank.
"I take that as a no! Come!" she happily led the way down between large cobras and winged serpents and strange thorny giant lizards to a pen with metal guards. "This is Sprinkles."
Mark peaked through the metal to see a towering dinosaur-like creature, similar to T-rex but with large spikes sprouting from its back. He squeaked and stumbled back, running into the dragon. "T-th-that's 'SPRINKLES'?"
She giggled again. "Yep. Darling little thing, ain't she?"
Mark ogled. Not only was he staring at a beast easily twice his height, but a gnome that could kiss his knee if she stood tall was calling it 'little'. "Little?! Little is the LAST word I'd use."
"But you don't deny she's darling!"
Mark hesitated, "I reserve that judgement for when I get to know her better." Though he had to admit, through his panic and outbursts, the giant beast only watched him, head tilted and keen blue eyes sparkling. If it really was a deadly dinosaur, it would've likely fed on his terror and lashed out.
She giggled as she walked through a gap in the metal gate. "Fair enough."
Mark was quick to jump up, going to the gate, "B-but wait!" That beast could swallow her without noticing, what was she doing?
She merely walked up to the dinosaur and gave the nose a fond rub.
The massive rex's lips curled back and it rumbled, which made the albino panic, until he realized it was … purring?
"Who's a good girl? Who's a good girl?" the tiny gnome praised the giant beast, lavishing it with attention.
It lolled its head on the ground, bumping her slightly with the mighty nose.
Mark stared in awe. "This … is not happening."
A rhythmatic huffing beside him drew his attention, and he noticed the dragon's shoulders shook.
"Are you … laughing at me?" he asked, staring at the creature.
"What, never seen a dragon laugh?" the tiny voice squeaked as she returned from the devilsaur.
"Before today, I'd never even seen a dragon," Mark replied, looking down at her. "Thought they were just a myth."
"No dragons, no dinosaurs, sheesh, there's nothing where you live, is there?" she brushed her little knees as she lead the way back up front.
"Just … metal. Pretty much."
"We got metal here." She motioned back at the gate. "The only reason Sprinkles has to have that gate is city code."
"But … where I'm from, everything is metal. Sort of. I mean, buildings, huge buildings of metal and glass, and cars, and planes and computers and—"
"Okay, now you are losing me."
Mark shrugged a bit, "About time someone besides me was confused." He suddenly clamped his hands over his mouth, the gold rising to his cheeks, "I am so sorry, that was so rude."
She laughed at his embarrassment, "Oh it's fine, honey. About time you started to loosen up."
Mark looked back at the white dragon ever on his tail. He wasn't sure he knew how to, not with all these insane changes to his world view.
"Now, I'm about to close down shop for today. You'll be here at six in the morning?"
Mark hesitated. "… How will I know what time it is?"
"When the tower chimes six."
A bell tower. Oh that's good, he sighed in relief. "Yes. I will."
"Alright!" She quickly went to the white dragon, leading him to his pen.
Mark only watched, barely following her. As she got distracted with closing, he briefly wondered where he'd sleep… until he turned around, walking back down the stalls, glancing at the beasts around him, some only held back by some ropes, others having entire gates. Once he made it to the dragon's pen, he slipped through the ropes.
The dragon lifted its head to look at him curiously.
"Well, I have nowhere else to go," he responded, shrugging. "Mind if I join you?"
The dragon quickly stood up and walked over to him, head leaning over Mark's shoulder in what he could only guess was some sort of hug.
Mark grinned despite himself, wrapping his arms around the scaly neck. "Thanks."
goes without saying but duh, I don't own world of warcraft or breanni. I only 'own' Mark.