Happy New Year everyone! ^_^
To RandomFanAuthor- THEY'RE NOT THE MAFIA!
Festus had torched almost half the cafeteria- almost as big as Bunker Nine. Tables and chairs had been reduced to ashes and smoking piles of charred kindling, the buffet line had scattered, more people dressed in black were trying to combat him with trays, knives and lots of yelling and arm waving. Festus put his foot through a food counter, roaring at the cooks.
"Don't just stand there!" Lucy-Jo reprimanded, glaring at Leo.
"Festus!" Leo called. The dragon whirled around excitedly, tail swiping a dozen tables across the room. "Hey!" Leo smiled, hurrying forward. Festus buzzed and barrelled forward, claws skidding on the stone floor and raking pebbles in all directions. "It's alright, it's alright!" Leo assured, squashing his hands on the dragon's muzzle. "Best behaviour now, buddy, they're looking after Lou." Festus crooned, snuffling Leo's palms.
"Is anyone hurt?" Calypso called. No-one answered her, looking to Lucy-Jo.
"Lieutenant, who are these people?"
"Did he say Lou? Is Lou back?"
"Can I have a dragon?"
"Can we worry about the fires first?" Lucy-Jo retorted, glowering at them. "If anyone's hurt, head to the med bays. If you're able to, gather fire extinguishers, get this under control and begin clean-up. Leo, get that dragon out of here, take him outside. Klouter!" She called. A dark-haired girl scrambled forward, saluting with fist over heart.
"Lieutenant!"
"Show them out to the grounds for now. Stay with them, keep them out of trouble. I will organise things here and meet you soon."
"What about Lou, Lieutenant?"
"They are not to see her until Boss says so."
"But-" Calypso began. Lucy-Jo cut her a withering look.
"Yes, Lieutenant." Klouter bowed her head. She motioned to Leo and Calypso, marching out. Calypso glowered at Lucy-Jo, who closed her eyes for the count of three.
"Don't do anything stupid. I've got enough to deal with."
"I don't understand this place." Calypso hissed, squeezing Leo's arm. Klouter stood to one side, hands behind her back. Festus was rather enjoying the space on the grounds. Leo had a polished bit of metal, reflecting a dot of light for the dragon to chase across the grass. Klouter glared at him each time mud and sod flew, but he didn't care. "They're obviously some sort of organisation, what do you think they do?"
"Don't know, but I don't think they're demigods. Seems they know about us 'cos of Lou."
"I just want to see her."
"Same." Leo glared at the back of Klouter's head, scratching at his palm. Festus growled at the momentary disappearance of the dot, almost purring when it returned. Calypso noticed the tension in his arms, biting her lip.
"You OK?"
"No."
"I'm sorry I got angry."
"No, don't be. I'd be angry in your shoes too."
"But… my shoes won't fit you?" Calypso puzzled, pouting when he snorted. "What?" She demanded.
"Nothing." He assured, kissing her temple.
"Is there something wrong with my shoes? Don't answer that." She advised, narrowing her eyes at him. Leo gave a half-smile, the temporary glimmer of humour darkening. Calypso tipped her head on his shoulder, throat tightening. "I can't believe she did that."
"I can." Leo wiped his nose on the back of his hand. "That's Lou." Festus tumbled over his front foot, rolling and tearing up the ground some more. Mud clung to his hide. Klouter looked over her shoulder, scowling. Leo whizzed the dot of light over to her, less than a yard from her, sending Festus barrelling towards her.
"Leo!" Calypso chided, knocking his hand.
"What?" He protested, incredulous. "He don't bite."
"Yes he do!"
Lucy-Jo sighed, stomping her way down the corridor. Joel's repair teams were already scurrying around, breaking down sections of walls to fix piping, on ladders to reattach the sprinkler heads, fruitlessly mopping the floor or throwing buckets of water out of windows. They all stood to attention as she passed, saluting with fists over their hearts, returning to work in her wake.
Louisa had not been sedated, as she had told the other newcomers. She had been grounded, unable to leave her bed, but under orders this time, not restraints. Two meds were examining notes and working around her, keeping an eye on her. She sat playing with rope, not even a metre long, tying knots of varying complications. She looked up as Lucy-Jo approached, startled. She pulled the rope taut between her hands, glaring.
"If you're going to strangle me, you need to be quicker than that." Lucy-Jo regarded her, crossing her arms. "I heard you've got amnesia?" Louisa hesitated. Lucy-Jo put her hand on the rope, gently pushing it down. "Your friend's dragon has destroyed the café. Boss isn't happy. And I'm not happy. First, you throw up and that's just gross. Second, you've busted all the pipes. Again. Third, see previous about dragon and fourth, I am your babysitter, so whatever you and your mates do gives me grief from Boss."
"Boss…" Louisa echoed. "Are you the mafia?"
"No, no." Lucy-Jo shook her head, motioning to the meds to quieten their laughter. "No, we're not the mafia." Louisa was watching the meds, confused. Without taking her eyes from them, she asked;
"Where's Callie 'n' Leo? 'N' Festus. Are they OK?"
"Is Festus the dragon? I'm sure that's what Fire Boy called him as well. They're currently outside with him, giving Klouter a headache as well, undoubtedly."
"It's not his fault. His brain got damaged. Fightin' a Chimera."
"The dragon?"
"Yeah."
"Can't Fire Boy fix him?"
"He's tryin'. Why am I here?"
"You don't remember?" Lucy-Jo motioned with her head. The meds left. Louisa sat with her hand on her chest, wrapped thickly in gauze beneath her white pyjamas, head bowed, eyes closed. She remained motionless to the point Lucy-Jo had begun to think she had fallen asleep.
"My sword." She finally said, looking around with bleary eyes. "Where's my sword?"
"We confiscated it."
"Why?" There was no snap to her tone, no fire or defiance; just tired, blank confusion. Lucy-Jo stepped forward, sitting at the foot of the bed. She sat with her hands between her knees, swinging her feet.
"You stabbed yourself, Lou. You tried to kill yourself." Louisa squeaked, drawing Lucy-Jo's attention. Her eyes were wide, welling with tears.
"God-killer." She remembered.
"What?" Lucy-Jo sat up straighter, half-turning towards her. Louisa shook her head, whining. She folded her pillow over her head, covering her ears. Nothing more was said.