Chapter ten:
Ray groans when he begins to awaken and blinks his eyes open to find that he is looking at the top of someone's chest by their collar bone area. He blinks sleepily and glances up noticing that it's Ryan who is still asleep. He smiles to himself and snuggles closer closing his eyes as he stays in the warm embrace. "This is nice." He admits in a whisper as he stays there. He isn't sure how much time has passed before he hears the rumble of a slight groan come from Ryan who shifts obviously waking up now.
Ryan blinks his eyes open and the first thing he sees is the two hats on the nightstand. He recognizes the other hat and he smiles as the memories of what happened last night come back to his waking up mind. He looks down to the other in his arms who blinks his eyes open then looks up to meet Ryan's eyes. "Morning."
"Morning." Ray greets back with a small yawn right after. "Let's get ready for class."
Ryan nods and gets up. "Say. You still want to practice after school?"
"Sounds good." Ray agrees. "Glad to hear you're still up for it."
"I want to make sure I gain control and the best way is to work with you." Ryan points out.
"Can't argue with that." Ray agrees. "Uh do you want to try to borrow something of mine? Maybe I can find something that'll fit."
"Meh. I'll just run to my room." Ryan waves it off picking up his hat. "I'll see you in our shared classes."
"Yeah. See you then." Ray agrees then Ryan heads off with his stuff.
…
Classes went by pretty well which was nice for them all.
Ray and Ryan are around the schools back about to practice the transformation.
"Okay. Ready?" Ray asks as they stand there facing each other.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Ryan admits in which Ray nods then takes a couple stops back to give Ryan room to transform.
Elsewhere….
"This is pathetic. We've only gotten this many?" A voice slightly growls. "I would have thought we'd have more by now."
"Well if you want more then we can go after the less experienced ones. They're easier to get than those with more experience." Another voice adds watching someone pace in the room lit by a bunch of TV screens.
"It's not about numbers right now it's about quality." The person stops pacing. "If we settle for just numbers, and go after those with little power or experience, then we won't last at all to let our plan carry through. We need something big. Something powerful. Something useful!"
"Like a dragon?" One person watching the screens asks half glancing back.
The ranting person stops and turns to the person that had spoke with a shocked expression. The person races over and looks to the screens only to spot a dragon and a witch in the courtyard. A wide smile forms on the persons face. "A dragon. And I thought the falcon was good." The person speaks quietly before speaking up. "Can the hidden camera get a closer look?"
"Not really. We don't want to zoom in too much since they are built like that to stay hidden."
The image is slightly zoomed in and the person who appears to be running the place chuckles.
"Oh, how interesting."
….
"Okay Ryan. You've got this." Ray raises a hand keeping his eyes focused on Ryan who looks to him. "That's it. Focus on me. Remember who I am."
Ryan lowers his head until it is level with Ray who keeps eye contact.
Ray smiles waiting for a few moments to see what Ryan might do. He keeps his focus on his partner.
Ryan nuzzles Rays torso causing the other to chuckle softly as he holds onto the other when he does this.
"Yes. Yes. Good job." Ray praises between his laughs as the other playfully tries to lift him with his snout against his torso. "I knew you could do it." He lets his hands gently slide along the scales as Ryan pulls back and they look into each others eyes. "You're doing so well. If we keep this up you'll feel in full control in no time." He gently pets the top of the others snout. He keeps eye contact as he does so.
Ryan closes his eyes and gives a soft snort at Ray who lightly shakes his head.
The two quickly turn, Ryan even raising his head, as they hear a bush rustle nearby. They watch it carefully though Ray is ready to move if Ryan does.
Ray slightly turns when Ryans tail slightly curls around him protectively with the spikes out. He glances to the other placing a comforting hand against the others large body. He looks back to the bush and a rabbit hops out into view. He finds himself relax though Ryan doesn't seem to relax. He turns his full attention to Ryan as the rabbit seems to regard them fearfully. "Hey. Its just a harmless rabbit buddy." He tries to point out to the other. "Nothing to be worried about."
Ryan lowers his head as if to get a better look at the rabbit.
Ray puts his arms around Ryans neck in a slight hug. "Are you thinking of eating him?" He questions then almost like a playful response the other opens his mouth showing off his sharp teeth. He laughs at the sight. He watches as Ryan snaps his mouth shut and the rabbit takes off into the bushes. "Aw. You scared it away." He closes his eyes still smiling. "Huh?" He opens his eyes as shadows fall over him only to notice the spread of Ryan's wings. He holds on tightly to the others neck as it's the only thing he can think of to do. He doesn't have any time to do anything else as suddenly Ryan takes off flying into the sky.
Ryan's flight is a bit clumsy at the start as he tilts this way and that way. He even almost falls a few times. He seems to learn from mistakes and is soon soaring high in the sky going over the land below them.
Ray holds onto the others neck for his life as he tries to not look down. "RYAN!" He calls out loudly hoping to get the others attention. He tries calling out a few times and tries to swing his legs up. He doesn't care if he'll be hanging on the underside of the dragons neck. He just doesn't want to fall down to the ground. He feels his grip starting to slip and he is too scared to adjust it as he fears that he will indeed fall down if he even tries. He glances down noticing countryside including patches of forests, grassy fields, and hills. He doesn't like that he is dangling unsafely over the height though. He looks back to his familiar and knows that he needs to do something since the other is not in control. "Ryan! You need to snap out of it!" He attempts to reach the other with his voice. He doesn't have much else he can use right now. He feels his grip slipping even more than before. "I know you're in there Ryan! Fight it! I know you can do it! Come back to me!" He will fall down if he doesn't do something now. He swallows harshly and tries one last time to get his legs wrapped around Ryans neck. He slips and falls towards the ground reaching out towards his partner. "RYAN!" He screams and he soon hits the trees of a patch of forest. He falls through the leaves disappearing from sight.
Ryan flies for a bit longer before finally managing to stop. "Wait." He looks around himself as he tries to stay where he is. "Where am I? Why did I come here?" He then gasps and looks to his back. "Ray?" He doesn't see the other and there is no verbal response. He looks around trying to figure out which way he had come from. "RAY!" He lets out a roar calling out to his witch partner. He doesn't hear anything other than some normal birds flying away due to his roar. He feels panic rise up in him and so he tries flying in one direction. He's gotta try to find a way back. He just hopes that Ray is there. He flies for a bit then spots the school and heads for it flying over to where him and Ray had been. He notices that Ray is no where to be seen. He turns to look to off in the distance. "Ray!" He flies off again looking around the ground that he flies over trying to see if he can spot the other. He even lets out some roars to call out to his partner. He is looking for any kind of response. He goes to the ground on a hill needing a break. He isn't used to flying yet. He looks around himself not sure what to do. He doesn't know where Ray is. He turns to look behind himself when footsteps are heard. His hopes are dashed when he doesn't recognize the one standing there.
"Are you lost familiar?" The woman questions with a slight smile on her face. She seems kind enough and is dressed for a walk around nature it looks like.
Ryan transforms to his human form. He needs to be able to talk to her since she'll understand him in human form. "I accidentally lost my witch. I'm looking for him." He explains to the woman with her witch hat tipped far forward. He gives a description of Ray. "Have you seen him?"
The woman looks a little thoughtful for a moment then seems to come to a decision in her head. "Oh. The witch that fell from the sky. My that was a fright."
Ryan's heart drops upon hearing this and he almost grabs the woman for more information. He holds himself back knowing that grabbing her will not help at all right now. "Is he alright!?"
"My familiar took him to a farm owner." The woman tells Ryan gesturing for him to follow her. "He did need some healing and the farm owner is actually pretty good at patching others up. I'm sure once he wakes up he'll be happy to see you."
"Thank you. I am so sorry this happened and that you had to get involved in this." Ryan follows the woman as they begin walking along. He looks away really feeling bad for what he had done to Ray. He has no doubts that the other will tell him that he forgives him. He just doesn't feel like he deserves such words.
"Oh don't worry about it. We'll even take a shortcut."
Ryan looks and sees a magical portal leading to a typical looking farm. He follows the woman through the portal and towards the barn. He hurries inside when she opens the door and he looks around only to freeze. He sees others in magical chains. He notices that they all must be familiars judging by size or how they look. He spins around and glares at the woman who shuts the door. "What the hell is this!?" He demands getting ready to transform. He doesn't care if he isn't in control. He just needs to defend himself.
"Do not be alarmed." The woman doesn't approach at all as she watches Ryan. "These familiars are ones who are here to learn to behave."
Ryan hears a wooden plank creak behind him so he transforms into a dragon, finding that this place is indeed large enough to allow this. He roars at the woman only to have a chain to be thrown around his neck from behind. He struggles against it swinging his spiked tail at the man holding the chain.
"Temper temper." The woman lightly scolds as Ryan snaps his sharp teeth at the man. "You need to learn to behave." She casts a spell that sends a small ball of magic at Ryan. She watches as the dragon rears up with a roar then collapses unconscious. "It's no wonder you lost your witch."