It's been a while since I last updated. Been busy with allot of things lately, but I managed to finally get something done in some spare time.
Anyway, this chapter just deals with a little discussion that David started with me, and it leads on to a few things I didn't know till then. Anyway, this sorta sets up, I think I was set up in real life actually, me and David meeting every now and then at his house. Then again…he pops up in other places too…
Anyway, enjoy and review.

Chapter 23 A History Lesson

I finally turned my attention from the T.V., now laying on my side. I haven't really watched T.V. a whole lot…with the exception of a few times at school and a bit at the Orphanage. Personally, I wanted to get money for my own somehow.

I got up, well…sat up as best I could anyway, and stretched out my arms, looking over to where David had gone. I'd been watching for nearly a half an hour or so. I was slightly worried about heading back, but not so much that it let me get skeptical. "What is he doing in there?" I thought. I didn't really know allot about David, so I had no idea of what his agenda was.

I got up, forgetful to turn the T.V. off. Guess voices from it kinda made me feel better in an empty room I suppose. Anyway. I started past the hall I was in and entered the, kitchen I guess. I kept low, trying not to be a bother if he thought I was. It was a nice kitchen though. One of those large tables in the middle of the floor, a dish washer near the end, a sink in the middle, and the cutting area. More cabinets and cupboards to the side along with appliances. There were two other doors, one straight ahead and one near the leftmost back. I just took to the open one right in front. Sure enough, I entered another hall, going right. I rose up more casually, my tail staying still along with my senses. The place seemed creepy right now for some reason.

"Is that his voice?" I thought, hearing faint audio ahead. There was a door coming up on the left. I brought my head to it, listening. Even through that, I could only hear muffled voices. It sounded like him…but I couldn't quite here the person on the other line. I guess it had be Lan…maybe even Vinnie for irony. But then again I didn't like guessing.

I heard him hang up. Before you knew it, I had ran back to the couch, nearly spraining a leg as I did. "Shoot". I forgot. I swiped the remote as fast as I could and started flipping through channels and giving my face a bored expression. David came in a moment later, a smile, I think, on his face. I gave a fake surprised look in his direction.

"I had to make a call first…told Lan I wouldn't meet up with him later on today…". Before I could say anything, he started into the kitchen.

"Jeez…didn't want to get in the way…." I thought, not wanting to be, in a way, a burden. I simply sat up again, bending over and placing my hands together. I started thinking about a bunch of things. What trouble I would get into if I was caught somewhere else. About that speedy cat that got away. And how David seemed a bit more complex than I thought.

(NS)

"How is it?".

"Mmm…this is good".

"I take it you like it then…heh".

David may be a strange guy but…he knows how to cook.

He just starred at me with those strange eyes again after we'd finished up. I offered to handle the dishes, but he said he'd take care of them later. In the end we found ourselves sitting in the kitchen, each holding a soda that he had brought out. I'd like to think of it as the liquid form of an after dinner mint, heh heh. But anyway, I wasn't really worried that much about getting back to that...place right now. I was feeling so much better...

"Not my best work..." David commented, drinking.

I shook my head. "No no it was alright really...". David seemed to scuff at the compliment, guess he didn't like compliments on something he thought he was terrible at. Go figure. He set his can down, turning it clockwise with a hand for a moment, looking at it. Didn't mind it really. People zone out all the time.

"So...how's things at school?" he asked.

"You...go to the same school..." I stated blankly. David scuffed again and I saw a grin appear at the corner of his mouth.

"Right right..." he said, taking another drink. I followed suit with my own. "...So...you said Vinnie's gone into this whole Reptile Run thing..." he said, stirring the liquid in his drink.

"Yeah...tried to make me a member till I brushed him off..." I said. I regretted a bit, waiting a moment. David and Vinnie, I guess, were at least acquaintances. I didn't want to insult them. "At least he's fighting for something...I guess..." I added, hoping to recover the slight wound.

"Fighting Fate is enough..." David replied, stirring his drink. I think I got it...but just the way David put it was strange. Fighting Fate huh? Well now that's just impossible...but I could see what he meant by that.

"Your family had hard times too David?" I asked, looking at him. I guess he could tell that I probably had similar experiences, family or not.

David still starred at his can, looking at his reflection I guess.

"You could say that...we're had several experiences...". He gripped the can. "I'd rather not talk about it...". Essh. Bad move on my part. But he seemed to go on from there. He finally looked at me again after that. "It's never been easy for any of us I suppose...probably never will be...".

I folded my arms, listening to how this thing would drag out. "Yeah I know...".

David crushed his can, letting it sit there as he turned his chair, stretching out his legs. "To believe...to think that we did something so wrong...people die...species die...".

"Species?" I asked. Sure. I knew there were deaths...but a whole species?".

David seemed to take a moment before speaking. He looked at me as if confused or unsure of what he was going to say. "Tell me Randall...have you ever seen a dragon before?".

Now here's something you might not know. I have hardly, meaning near-never, been taught about dragons. In the Human World, sure, there as famous as white bread. But they are considered more myth then in the Human World. I didn't know much then. All I knew was that dragons were powerful reptiles with the potential to over take other races. There were many kinds...each with their own powers and thoughts. There were just like any of us. But...I've never seen one...at least...I think I've never seen one.

"Now that you mention it...No..." I replied. Heck. I've never seen a dragon hatchling running around in school.

David seem to become more stern on this. "...You don't know much about them do you?" he asked. I shook my head. David seemed surprised, turning his head to look forward, He had turned his chair so I was looking at his right side you see.

"...Centuries ago they were a gallant race...powerful and strong...their numbers and types grew with each passing day...but...like with all races...they met there end at both humans and other monsters...". I just kept listening. It interested me that humans had any contact with dragons before.

"...They were a dying breed...scattered by hate and fear of others...they were threats...so they hid...and they still are hiding...". He looked to me...but more so...me physically. He seemed to grin a bit. "Ever consider yourself a dragon Randall?" he asked. I was a bit shocked. Me? A dragon? Ok...that was just a bit over the top. When you think about it, it was pretty far-fetched. But then again...from what I've learned over the years, it wasn't like I couldn't be. For all I know, maybe I was a descendant.

"You've got the wrong guy here David..." I said.

David kept his grin, looking ahead again. "Shouldn't demean yourself if you are...bit of an honor actually...vastly intelligent dragons are...not to mention the creators and teachers of magic...". You'd think I'd interject at this point, but I actually believed in stuff like that. Heck...anything to get out of this current life was fine by me.

David shook his head. "I'm going a bit off here..." he said, turning around.

I shook a hand. "No no no...really...I'm interested..." . Pfft. Probably the first true thing I've said all day.

David turned his chair around again. "...What I'm getting at here Randall...is that...dragons were an example of what finding the truth leads too...".

"The...truth?" I asked, a bit skeptical.

David leaned in. "There are two worlds here Randall...think about it...doesn't it make you want to explore them both?". He leaned back into his chair, placing his left claws to his chin. This was a bit weird, but I think I was figuring out what kind of person David was. He wanted to go out there and find something...maybe prove something he wanted to prove. Hmm...kinda like me and that toxic idea...

"Let me put it this way..." he said looking down. He looked up at me, and I could see his eyes narrow. It sorta creped me out. "...Have you ever had a question...but couldn't find the answer here...". It didn't seem like a question. I think he knew that there was something that I wanted an answer too. I guess everyone has at least one question they always wanted to answer but could never find the answer.

I was speechless...How could I reply to something like that?

I barley noticed David looking up at a clock with a hand-carved frame. "I guess you'd better get back now...before your parents worry...". He stood up, sliding a hand across the table. "Shoot!". I chugged what was left in the can and got up, but calmed myself when David noticed my abrupt actions. David smiled, patting my shoulder.

"When you get some free time again...come and see me...I can help you out with your...bully...problems..." he said. Oh right...those two. Hmm...now that I think about it...David MUST have fought off those guys in the park...and...if he did it without getting hurt...then maybe...

"Yeah sure..." I replied, turning around to head out. I had gotten to the door before David came out.

"Wait a sec..." he said. I stopped turning around. He had something in his hand. I think it was a book. He held it out, looking at it first before looking at me. "If you ever get the chance...try reading this...". I looked at the cover, but took the book anyway.

"I...have an old copy of this...but a few of the pages are missing..." I said. I thought it was a bit strange. I mistook it for the book I had, though this one looked like it was taken care of. "Between the Sun and Moon...never found the author..." I said, looking at the back. I figured it was strange that there was still no author or even a publishing logo...copyright...actually...It looked like a privately published book.

"So...you've read a doctored version I suppose..." David commented. He folded his arms and shrugged. "I suppose you can keep it anyway...read it so many times I know it by heart...". His eyes looked at me, and I was a bit crept out again. "...You might find it a bit surprising...".

A gave a confused look. "Did...you write this?" I asked, gesturing the book.

David scuffed and grinned. "I wish...but I'm no writer Randall...I have other hobbies...". He came past me to the door, opening it and swinging a hand. "I'll see you at school or next time you come over...I'm busy most days...but you should see me outside..." he said.

I had already started half-way out when he spoke. I turned and looked at him. He was being such a nice guy to me...more so than anyone else in my life. Oh...sorry mom...dad...

"Otta teach me how you play that ocarina of yours...could be in the school band if you wanted to...".

David slung an arm over the door. "Wouldn't have the time..." he said.

I nodded with a slight grin and started off. I turned after a few minutes and waved, he waved back and closed the door when I started up again. It was a good experience. With the way he treats me...I wouldn't mind if I get in trouble sneaking off every now and then...

Well there's that one. I have to say it was enjoyable to say the least to write again, since I have the most popular story in Sean's archive hehe. But in any case, it could take me a bit to update again. Till then.