Grind 2.2
I poured cereal and milk into my bowl before sitting down at the table. I wasn't really hungry, but Dad insisted that I eat something.
Beauty, Rocky and Diver hadn't left my side since we got out. I knew the game wasn't that bad, but being unable to help my friends had been unbearable. How could I be a hero when I couldn't properly protect three fire lizards?
The trio… No, no I would need to find a different way to refer to them. My new friends are NOTHING like the Trio. But what could I call them? My dragonets, maybe?
The point was my friends were still scared. They were putting on brave faces and bombarding me with reassurances and comfort, but I could still feel the very real fear they were trying to hide. Everything from the way they ducked at every noise, to how their bright eyes seemed to spin just a bit faster than was normal, hinted at stress and fear. It was clear from how they kept trying to hide in my hair and curl up in my lap that they needed reassurance. They were badly shaken up, and it was my fault. I couldn't have known that would happen, but that didn't make it any less my responsibility.
Another onslaught of warm fuzzy feelings from my dragonets hit me. If anything, it just made me feel even worse, guilty. They were so loyal, I was responsible for them being scared, but instead of abandoning me they were trying to make me feel better.
I didn't deserve them, but I couldn't bring myself to turn them away. I was selfish like that, because I needed the reassurance just as much as they did. Even if it wasn't for the empathic bond we had, I still wouldn't have been able to send them away.
My now empty bowl went into the sink and I started preparing breakfast for my friends, hot dogs again. That was another way that I was failing them, they deserved better then ground up everything stuffed into an intestine. Sadly, with their appetites and our budget, I couldn't afford to feed them anything better.
I dumped the whole pack into the boiling water and set the timer. Feelings of hunger and appreciation rolled off of my fire lizards. I scratched behind their eye ridges absently while the water boiled. When the hotdogs where ready, I drained the water and sliced up the meat, placing it into three bowls on the counter. The fire lizards had never worried about heat before, and they didn't start now. They all but pounced on their meals, the last scrap disappearing just a few minutes later. The now empty bowls went into the sink next to mine.
Beauty perched on my shoulder while Rocky and Diver flittered about my head as I headed up the stairs and into the bathroom. All three were giving off the feeling of satisfaction. I opened the bathroom cupboard and pulled out the little tub of Vaseline. It was import to grease my friends' hides regularly, to prevent cracks that would be fatal should my friends take a trip Between to teleport. They presented me their bellies for greasing and cooed happily at me while I worked the gunk into their hides.
After seeing to my friends and brushing my teeth I headed right back to bed. Last night Dad had called me in sick and told me to take today day off to rest. I had agreed and slept in late. Despite that I still felt drained. As I curled up in bed, Beauty rested her head on my neck, Rocky curled up in my hair, and Diver burrowed under one arm. The three started to hum, still giving off happy feelings. They kept it up and gradually I relaxed a bit. My friends sang me to sleep before joining me moments later.
The last thing I thought of as I drifted off to sleep was how lucky I was to have friends like my dragonets.
{}{}{}{}
Danny Hebert
Yet another day of disappointing people, but at least I was home now. "Taylor, I'm home."
No response. Taylor wasn't in the kitchen or the living room either. "Taylor?" a little popping noise announced the appearance of Taylor's golden pet. Beauty circled the room, chirping and diving. "Hey now, take it easy! What's wrong you?" The golden creature settled down onto my shoulder and starred me straight in the eye from closer than I appreciated.
The little creatures eyes were spinning a bit fast with flex of red and orange swirling around like a liquid kaleidoscope. Taylor had explained it to me once. The faster the creatures eyes spun and the more angry the colors, the more upset they were. Obviously something had upset the little dragon. "Have you seen Taylor?"
Beauty chirped and winged her way up the stairs, golden hide glinting in the light of the sunset. She lead me up the stairs and blinked out of existence outside Taylor's door. "Please don't be in another video game."
Taylor was curled up in her bed, fast asleep, with her pet dragons perched all around her. I didn't share the link that Taylor did with the little creatures, but the nervous chirps, the whirling eyes and the fact that they wouldn't take their eyes of Taylor all made it perfectly plain. They were worried about her. Suddenly, I had a lot more respect for the little flying stomachs. We were all on the same page when it came to Taylor.
I hadn't wanted to admit it, but I was in over my head, so was Taylor evidently. I had already made the mistake of not getting Taylor the help she needed once, because of that she had ended up in the hospital. I'd be damned before I made that mistake again. I needed to make a phone call.
{}{}{}{}
Emily Piggot
Once again, I had finished early. Getting through the last of the paperwork was always a pleasant way to finish a day. Leaning back in my chair, and letting out a sigh as I caught the sunset framing the city through my office window.
Naturally, that's when the phone chose to ring. Twice in one week I get caught up, and both times the phone rings right before I punch out. 'Typical' I thought as I answered the phone.
"Director Piggot."
"Ah… yes, Hello Director. This is Danny Hebert." Suddenly, the phone call seemed much more worthy of my attention. We had already settled with the man, and he had made it abundantly clear what he thought of the Wards once he heard about Shadow Stalker. So what was the problem now?
"Ahh Mr. Hebert, how is Taylor settling into her new school?" If one of the other Wards was causing her trouble, so help me-
"Not well I'm afraid."
Damn it who was causing problems now. "I see, that's unfortunate. Is that the reason for your call?"
"Not directly no. A new aspect of Taylor's power came up after her first day at Arcadia. Apparently her power also works on video games. She came home late after meeting with the Wards at Fugly Bobs, and went straight to her room. I went up a little later to ask her about her day and she was already stuck in a game."
Fantastic, the girls power was even more versatile than expected. "I see."
"Yes, and she brought her pet dragons with her."
The girl could bring living beings with her. God, Uber and Leet would pay for the chance to work with her. This girl was turning into a nightmare!
"I see."
"Director I… I believe I need your help, or your peoples help anyway." The man sounded like saying that had physical hurt him. I need to handle this carefully.
"Well, I had planned to contact you in a week or two once Taylor had time to settle in at Arcadia, but since you're already on the phone, now might be better. I received a call yesterday from a rather famous tinker who was interested in Taylor's potential. I'm sure you've heard of Dragon. She thinks properly applied, Taylor could be an excellent tinker. She wants to see about setting up an arrangement to provide Taylor with oversight and training until she can join the Guild."
"I'm sorry did you just say that Dragon wants Taylor to join the Guild?! The same Guild which hunts down capes with kill orders?"
"To be clear, as a minor Taylor can't legally join the guild, and Dragon doesn't expect or want a freshly triggered cape on the front lines. Dragon is interested in Taylor's long term potential, both in combat and as a support role. Mr. Hebert, you're daughter could potentially become the most diverse tinker in history with very little real work. So yes, Dragon is interested in getting Taylor into the guild, but until she turns 18 that just won't be possible. It was her hope, as well as my own, that we could convince you and Taylor to come in and reconsider the Wards."
"That's rather a lot to take in. It's also very convenient. I think Taylor may need the Wards program."
I couldn't believe my ears! Was this really the same man that had told me shove my desk up my ass? "What changed your mind?"
"She was stuck in the game, for about a day and a half. I don't know what upset her so much, but ever since she has been a wreck. She's barely left her bed since she got out, and even her pets are worried about her! She needs help, and there's only so much I can do for her."
"I understand. So long as she joins the Wards, we'll do what we can to help. Can you come in on Saturday at five?"
"Yes, Taylor and I will be there."
"You're doing the right thing Mr. Hebert."
"Right, thank you for your time, Director. Have a good night."
"And you."
The line went dead, and I allowed myself the smallest of smiles. The girl would no doubt prove troublesome, but I had her.