A teenager with pitch black hair came out to greet them, "Hello, you must be the group that's come for the newest bonding, right?"

Ash nodded, "Is it time yet?" He smiled, flashing white teeth, "Of course. You all are right on time. Follow me please." They trailed after him through a series of large rooms, and ended up in the largest one yet, where there were two golden eggs rocking on the floor.

A piece of shell cracked open and soon the rest of it followed. Shortly, a baby golden griflet staggered out, stretching its wings and blinking its faceted eyes. It spotted Shannon first and lumbered over to her clumsily, crooning soft words of encouragement. Hesitantly, she reached out and scratched its scaly forehead. The teen commented, "Her name is Lily."

The same process followed for the next egg, except this one came to Ash, and, "This one's name is Max. I think that he is really hungry, and so is Lily."

The teenager clapped his hands together once and said, "Alrighty then, that's that. Let's take them to the feeding grounds. We have caretakers there who will feed them the proper amount. In the meantime, come with me to the cafeteria. I'm sure that you all are hungry as well."

They nodded and retired to the buffet, listening to the teen's instructions, "You have to wash them at least once a day until they stop growing. Don't ever let them attack people, and attend every griflet riders' meeting there is."

With his lecture finished, he relaxed into normal conversation, "So, what are your names?"

Ash smiled, "My name's Ash. My friend here is Shannon, and the lady is Mary. What is your name?"

"Zachary. Nice to meet ya, Ash, Shannon, and Mary. I'm a griflet rider myself. His name is Veldt. Would you like to see him? He's nearly full grown."

"How long have you had him?" Ash asked.

He replied, "About 4 years. I got him when I was 14."

"Really? So that would make you about what, eighteen years old?"

"In three months and six days. I'm counting."

He smiled brilliantly, pearly teeth gleaming in the dimness, "And yourself?"

"Fifteen, for six months more. Shannon is one month older than I. As for Mary, well, I have no idea, and I think it'd rude to ask."

He laughed, "That's quite alright, she doesn't have to tell me." The conversation continued easily for the next half-hour in many directions, until a premature dusk fell.

Zachary stood up from the table, "Well, I guess it's time for me to bid you ladies goodnight, so, goodnight." Smilingly, they bid him the same and began the trek back to their hotel. Nine o'clock turned to ten and before they knew it, it was nearly midnight by the time they reached the lobby.

Shannon yawned, "I'm so sleeping in tomorrow, how about you, Ash?"

Ash shrugged, "I don't know, I might go hiking in the morning. I didn't just come here for business you know." Shannon closed her eyes, swaying on her feet, "Whatever."

Mary spotted Butler and Artemis wandering in through the doors, "Let's go girls. I really don't want another confrontation tonight." Ash agreed heartily and tugged an unresisting Shannon up to the room. The night passed all too quickly, and soon the sun dawned, sending golden rays of light streaming through their windowpane.

Shannon merely groaned and rolled over, despite Ash's insistence that 'the early bird catches the worm'. After five minutes of pleading, she gave up, "I'll meet you in the at two, okay?"

Shannon's response was a grunt and a dismissive wave of her hand. Ash rolled her eyes and took the elevator downstairs, grabbing a bagel from the breakfast buffet.

She groaned silently when she saw Butler and Artemis approaching. ~Don't say a thing~ she coached herself ~just ignore them and everything will right. Maybe they won't notice you. ~

No such luck, as it turns out. Artemis spotted her instantly and muttered something to Butler. Butler promptly turned to look at her and they made their way to where she was fixing her bagel hurriedly.

Artemis's cool voice interrupted her musings, "I see you had a late night."

Without bothering to look at him, she replied, "So did you. Excuse me, I have places to be."

She turned and slipped past Butler skillfully, "And by way, Butler, I think Mary is rather steamed at you."

He raised his eyebrows, the traces of a smile touching his lips, "Really? Whatever gave you that idea?"

She turned back to him, hiding a smile of her own, "I dunno, maybe the fact that she is always going on about how you would put various reptiles in her bed, and trying to get her into trouble."

Artemis turned a surprised stare onto Butler, "Oh really?"

Butler smiled broadly, "Perhaps I shall tell you about it sometime, Master Artemis."

"Yes," muttered Artemis distractedly, "of course. Now where are we going right now, Butler?"

Butler glanced at Artemis concernedly, "Breakfast, sir. Then on to the mountains. This is a vacation, remember?"

"Of course it is, I knew that. I was just hoping to get some business done while relaxing."

Ash smirked, "Well, I'd love to stay and chat, but the hiking trails are calling my name loud and clear. Good luck with your 'vacation'."

The sarcastic Artemis snapped back into place, "Oh, are you having problems with those voices in your head? I know a good psychiatrist for you."

Ash smiled, unfazed, "Ouch. That cut me real deep just now, Arty. I'm wounded." Without waiting for his reply, she jogged out toward the rainforest area and disappeared onto a faint trail.

Butler shook his head slightly, "Artemis? You know I didn't really do those things to Mary, right? At least not the way she described them."

Artemis smiled, "Of course, old friend. Of course you didn't. It must have been your evil twin."

Butler's mouth opened wide but no sound came out.

Artemis glanced at him, "Do shut your mouth, Butler. The resemblance to a beached fish is uncanny."

Butler caught the gleam in Artemis's eyes and knew that he was joking, "Why did we bother to speak to that girl? All she has done so far is cause trouble."

Artemis intoned, "Keep your friends close--"

Butler finished the sentence, understanding his drift, "And your enemies closer. I see now."

Artemis nodded, "You never know who is a potential threat. Hence, you keep a close eye on them."

Butler filled up a plate and sat down to eat with Artemis, "Maybe we should check out the town. Maybe we could pick up a few souvenirs."

Artemis scowled, "I don't think so. I hate being sent off on these lousy vacations without any way to contact anyone except by cell phones. Couldn't we just fly back to Switzerland and close that deal without my parents knowing?"

Butler reminded him gently, "Your father has people here watching your every move. He would know if you went anywhere without his permission. Besides, I have no doubt that you are being tracked via satellite."

Artemis conceded miserably, "You're right, of course. I just feel so constrained by him. I can hardly wait until I reach the age of 'responsibility'. Then, no one will be to stop me."

"In the meantime, however, why don't you relax and enjoy your youth? It will be gone before you know it."

Artemis laughed harshly, "And how would I do that? Act like other teenagers? And what would you suggest? Dating perhaps? Or a sport?"

Butler replied smoothly, "Maybe, Artemis. Maybe there are more to those things than you think. I don't know, your mother would like you to hang out with some people your own age."

Artemis leaned thoughtfully, "If I did, do you think that would satisfy her? Maybe she would stop sending me on these ridiculous vacations. But, whom would I 'hang' with?"

Butler thought for a moment, contemplating the possibilities, "Let's go to the town and find out, shall we?"

Artemis stood, silently resigning himself to this particular fate.for now.