OH MY GOD!
"This is the north balcony," Neha said. Justin and Samus looked around. "It swerves all the way around to the south. You only need to patrol around this section, to the corner. The part that connects the south to the north is a cafeteria; only humans hang around there."
"Okay," Justin said; he and Samus were looking at a dragon, sitting near the end of the balcony. It had icy blue scales, and aquamarine eyes, which stared sadly up into the night sky. "Who's that?"
Neha looked; "Oh... that's Cirus."
"Who's it's Rider?" Samus asked.
"Oh," Neha said slowly. "He doesn't have one."
"He doesn't?" Justin asked.
"Nope. Cirus' Rider died a long, long time ago. I can remember it like it was yesterday."
There was a long pause; "Well?" Samus asked. "Are you gonna tell the story?"
"No," Neha answered darkly. "I think it'd be best if he told you. Although I doubt it'll ever happen, so don't put your hopes up."
"What does Cirus do now?" Justin asked. "Without a Rider, what'll happen to him?"
"Well, for the time being, he's been like a second dragon to me. Matthew, Carl and... Brett... used to argue about it all the time. They said that I should let Cirus go wild. I couldn't... I wouldn't. I know Cirus stares into the stars, stared into his reflections of the surface of lakes, stares into the mountains for the same reason every day since his moving here. He's always been missing his Rider, ever since it happened.
"And I'm scared for Squinette... I fear the same thing would happen to her. Both Cirus' old Rider and Brett died similarly; by human betrayers. The only difference is that Squinette had much more of a connection with Brett; they knew and loved each other longer."
"Wow," Samus said.
"Is that all you say?" Justin asked her.
"Well... uh... shut up!" Samus exclaimed.
"These are dark times," Neha said. "And until they lighten up, nothing will change for anybody. I suggest you keep your distance from Cirus. He doesn't want to speak with me right now."
"Really?" Samus asked.
"Yes," Neha answered. "Come, let me show you the south balcony," She then turned to Justin. "Stay here, and watch for the princess. It may take a while, though. I'll send one of your friends here when they're done."
"Alright," Justin said. He took another glare at Cirus, and then strode to the stone railing of the balcony. Out of the corner of his eye, Justin swore he saw Cirus look at him. But, maybe not.
