Junior let out a sudden sneeze; blue sparks leaving his mouth and hitting the field of flowers in front of him. The flowers were unaffected by his sneeze, aside from the closer ones losing a few petals in the process.
Silverstorm laughed, but not at him, she was laughing with Daffodil. Daffodil was in front of her doing a handstand, all and all, keeping her entertained. "You're just adorable!" Silverstorm cooed lovingly at Daffodil. Junior only shook his head and let them have their moment. He didn't really care about Daffodil's despite attempts for attention. No, he was thinking of the twins and how he didn't want to wait one more day to see them, but the sun was starting to rise and they didn't have any moondew. No, Kansas would have to wait it seemed. Just one more day…
Still, Junior felt uneased. The closer they were getting to Kansas the more he was becoming afraid. Not because he knew that he was going to run into his father and going to get a serious scolding, but because of this monster. He didn't know what he was going to be facing and it kind of scared him…
"You've been mighty quiet there, partner." Daffodil suddenly came up to Junior. He came up in a rather weird way on all fours for just a moment before standing up on his feet like normal.
"I'm just thinking is all," Junior told Daffodil before giving a slight snort. "Worried about the twins."
"Right your little riders. Well, I'm sure they're alright." Daffodil dismissively told Junior before sitting down on the ground by his feet. Junior wondered about Silverstorm for a moment before realizing that she was probably asleep, all this flying was exhausting even Junior was feeling the exhaustion himself. He knew he was going to need all of his energy, especially when he meets up with his dad… So, he forced himself to lay down and he looked at Daffodil.
"So, I have to ask. Are there any other dragons here? In America I mean." Junior rested his head on his paws as he waited for Daffodil to answer.
Daffodil put his finger to his chin and thought about it for a moment. "Well… I don't think I'm the right fella to answer that question. Honestly, you two are the only dragons I've seen! I mean unless you count the lizards or gators."
Junior frowned a little. That information made him a little sad. In all honesty, he wanted to see what dragons America had to offer. Oh, well it seemed it wasn't meant to be.
"Do you think it's possible that I could speak to Ohanzee?" Firedrake questioned Ben. Ben had his back up against a rock while trying his hardest not to fall asleep. It's been a long day, so long that he really hasn't had any time to sleep. He had only just now caught Firedrake and Sorrel up to speed with everything. Sometime tomorrow, yes, actual tomorrow not today, He needed sleep before they did anything else.
Ben rubbed his eyes tiredly before replying to Firedrake. "I'm honestly all for it if it's possible. If we can talk Ohanzee down before any more people get hurt or killed that'd be great…" Ben trailed off and Sorrel picked up on it.
"You don't think we can?" Sorrel questioned next.
"... I think it'll be difficult to do so. If Ludwig is right, and everyone either freezes or runs… it might not be possible."
"It's magic isn't it?"
Ben frowned and clasped his hands together in thought. "Perhaps or… It's fight or flight. It could be something natural."
"If it were then why did all those people freeze?" Sorrel asked and crossed her arms and gave Ben a bit of a look.
"... I don't know…" Ben answered honestly and looked at Firedrake and Sorrel and rested his head against the rock. He then shut his eyes and let out a loud yawn. "And in all honesty, until I get some sleep I don't think I can even think of an answer…" Ben sighed deeply. He kept his head against the rock and before he knew it he started falling asleep, but not before hearing Firedrake's breathy chuckle:
"He's not as young as he once was, Sorrel…"
Kyoto quietly scratched the back of her head as she tiredly waddled her way into the kitchen. It was almost seven in the morning, the sun was starting to rise and shine brightly into the kitchen. It was Friday. She wondered what the kids at school were saying about her and her sister. Probably not good things.
Quietly she walked over to the fridge where a note from Yui was waiting for her.
Had an emergency meeting. I'm sure you can find something in the fridge for breakfast. - Love Yui.
Kyo gave a weak little chuckle as she noticed that her aunt dotted the I in her name with a heart like a twelve-year-old. Kyo then ripped the note off of the fridge and tossed it in the bin next to the fridge. Opening the fridge Kyo didn't have to look long for something to eat. She pulled out a small container of yogurt and a spoon from the drawer next to her. By the time she shut the fridge and sat down to eat her meal of champions, Sicily came in.
Boy, her sister has seen better days. Her hair was just a big ugly rat's nest sticking out at every other angle. She had dark circles under her eyes and was slumped over slightly. This was very unnatural. "What happened to you? You look like you were hit by a semi." Kyo asked before she opened her yogurt and started eating.
"I just… had a nightmare all night." Sicily rubbed her eyes with the palms of her hands trying to get the remaining sleep out. She then sat down across from her sister.
Kyo slowed her chewing down a bit and looked at Sicily. A bit more concern hitting her. "Wanna talk about-" Before she could finish her sentence Sicily was already starting to talk about it.
"I was running! My dream was just endless running. Something was chasing me, I didn't know what was behind me but I knew I had to getaway. Running, running, running! Until…" Sicily went quiet for a moment. She then looked down at the table and started to trace the ridges of the wooden table. "...I got to a cliff… A big cliff with a long jump down to a sweeping river. I realized I was met with a choice, stay and face what was chasing me… or jump."
"... What did you do?"
"...I woke up." Sicily looked up at Kyo a present frown on her face. Kyo sighed, put her yogurt and spoon down, got up from her seat and walked over to Sicily. Absent-mindedly Kyo started to run her fingers through Sicily's messy hair, getting some of the knots out, but being gentle all the same.
"I'm sure it's nothing. I mean things have been tense recently." Kyo rested her chin on top of Sicily's head. Sicily rested her head against Kyo's chest and for just a moment they just stood there in each other's embrace. It was Kyo who let go first. With a simple push of her yogurt cup, she gave her sister the rest. Sicily had no problem eating after her sister and she started to slowly eat the remaining yogurt. Kyo sat down and crossed one leg over the other as she watched Sicily. "So… what's the plans for today?"
"... We have to evacuate the town."
"This won't end well, I hope you know that. Some of these people, they're stuck in their ways. I doubt they'll want to leave even if the threat is bigger than them… I don't think Yui is gonna get that second term now…"
"Where is Aunt Yui?" Sicily looked around for their aunt.
"Went out. Had a conference."
"Oh, man…" Sicily rubbed her eyes tiredly. "Okay, then what should we do?"
Kyo leaned back in her chair and thought about it for a moment. "... Well, until this all blows over, we aren't allowed back at school… so… Youtube?"
"I guess… I'm going to shower first-" Sicily got up from her chair and suddenly jumped back as Ludwig landed ungracefully on the dining table, knocking the spoon and yogurt cup on the floor. "Oh! Ludwig, you scared me…"
Ludwig crackled with a bit of glee. "People in this town talk, oh, yes they do. They say some not-so-kind things about Yui and nice twins! So, Ludwig blocks their water pipes!"
"Oh, geez…" Kyo shook her head rather annoyed at the situation. She pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head. "Okay… Hopefully, that will just resolve itself…"
Ludwig giggled and jumped up on the ceiling fan and gave it a slight push allowing it to twirl weakly so he could watch both of them. "They say mean things. Mean, mean things."
"That would be expected. We're thought to be terrorists." Sicily told Ludwig. She then extended her arms out and Ludwig jumped down into her arms. "But that doesn't mean you react back with violence."
"But their faces make it worth it!" Ludwig suddenly leaped over Sicily's shoulder and upon the countertop before disappearing into the cabinets. Sicily rushed and opened the cabinet doors.
"Ha! Oh…" She was met with an empty cup cabinet, not a cup out of place. "How does he do that?"
"Hey… you don't think he blocked our pipes, do you?" Kyo asked.
"He wouldn't-"
Kyo walked over to the sink and turned the faucet on. Nothing came out. "... I wouldn't hold your breath on that shower."
At ten AM the twins decided to busy themselves rather than laze around all day. So, they got dressed first and then walked over to the Mcathy's ranch. Amadeus or Alice wouldn't be there as they were still forced to go to school. So, Kyo figured maybe they could help around the ranch for a while to pass the time.
Kyo was the one to knock on the door. She smiled as Mrs. Mcathy, Audrey Mcathy, answered the door. "Hi, we were wondering if-"
"Look." Audrey instantly cut her off with a rather snippy tone and a snide voice. She had a sneer on her lips and honestly looked uncomfortable just being in the same area as the twins. "I don't want to be seen with you two. I think it's best if you stay away from our Ranch… just until this all blows over…"
"...Oh…" Kyo slumped her shoulders slightly at that.
"It's… nothing personal… but you know how people are in this town… and with Amadeus being under suspicion as well… it's just not a good look for you two to be around here."
"Just say what you mean-" Sicily sighed heavily before turning away from Audrey. She started to walk back towards the house. "-You think we did it." Sicily shot a glare at Audrey before she continued to walk away. Kyo noted the snark and almost uncharacteristic snap-in Sicily's tone.
"Now-" Audrey tried to defend herself but Kyo didn't stay around to hear it. What she did hear was the sound of the front door slamming shut. 'I hope this doesn't affect my relationship with Alice…' Kyo briefly thought before she rushed after Sicily.
There was just almost bad energy radiating off of Sicily. She was hunched over as she walked, her nose was scrunched up, and her brows were furrowed. She was clearly pissed but… this felt different… "It's never going to be the same now…" Sicily growled suddenly. "Nobody is ever going to forgive us for this and we didn't even do anything!"
"You don't know that!" Kyo tried to reason with her sister. "They'll see, They'll see we aren't responsible for what happened!"
"How?!" Sicily turned and snarled. "Are we going to tell them about the dragons?!"
"Hey! Don't snap at me!" Kyo suddenly snarled back at her making sure to poke her in the chest for good measure. Sicily stood strong for only a passing second before backing down and slumping her shoulders.
"I know… I'm just so… upset!" Sicily's voice cracked as she stomped her foot down in rage. "This is bullshit! We didn't do anything but they don't care!"
"I know they don't care, but please you need to stay calm. Don't let them get the better of you…" She quietly placed her hand on Sicily's shoulder to try and get her to calm down. "C'mon… let's go get a coffee…"
Sicily sucked in a slow and deep breath, and gave Kyo a puppy-eyed looked "Vanilla?"
"Yes, Vanilla…"
Amadeus sighed deeply. Yes, he should be in school, but given the fact that his locker was completely vandalized and his tires almost slashed, he decided it was best to skip school for the day. So, here he was driving. He had a place in mind…
Silently he looked down at his phone, yes he was texting and driving at the moment.
Kyo sent a message!
Hey, so, I don't know how to say this outright, but your mom kinda kicked us out of the ranch. She thinks we did it. Sicily isn't taking this too well and honestly, I'm close to snapping myself.
Amadeus sent a message back!
Damn, sorry, Girly, I'll talk to her.
Kyo sent a message!
Don't. I don't want to cause a rift between us. If it gets any worse she might ban us outright. I just thought I'd let you know.
Amadeus paused his texting to look up at the road making sure he was straight. He then quickly looked down and sent a response back, one-handed.
Amadeus sent a message back!
Fine. how is Sicily doing? I haven't seen her since my outburst the other night… I feel kinda bad for how I acted :(
Kyo didn't respond right away, giving Amadeus plenty of time to look at the road until his phone buzzed.
Kyo sent a photo!
The photo was of Sicily. Laying in bed, a Mcdonalds cup laying on her nightstand, looking untouched. She was curled up under her blanket in the fetal position. He only knew it was her because bits of her curly hair was poking out from under the blanket. The TV was playing a cartoon, probably Steven Universe as Alice had gotten them into that show.
Amadeus sent a message back!
Damn, not good… Sorry to hear or rather see it.
Kyo sent a message!
We'll manage. So, Ben came by a little while ago. He wants to go out tonight and try and find this heart… I guess… Sicily understood it better than I could.
Amadeus sent a message back!
Oh, it sounds like he's out prowling for somebody rather than stopping a monster.
Kyo sent a message!
Oh please.
Amadeus knew he was gonna have a bit of fun with this because it's been on his mind since he first met Ben. So, instead of carelessly texting while driving, he pulled over to the nearest parking lot and parked, so he could text.
Amadeus sent a message back!
You don't think so? I mean, I don't know if you've noticed, but that man isn't wearing a wedding ring.
Kyo sent a message!
Seeing if he's available are you?
Amadeus sent a message back!
Hell. No.
But I think he might be looking out for your Aunt. I mean, they are the same age.
It didn't take long for the reply and boy. It was everything Amadeus hoped it was.
Kyo sent a message.
Ew.
Ew.
Ew.
EWEWEWEWEWEW! STOP IT! NO! DON'T PUT THAT IMAGE IN MY BRAIN!
Amadeus chuckled deeply. He knew he had hit a nerve.
Kyo sent a message!
Oh, god. Aunt Yui invited him in for a coffee!
Amadeus sent a message back!
Everyone knows they aren't drinking any coffee, Kyo.
Kyo sent a message!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Amadeus laughed, this time a full-blown laugh. He had gotten the reaction he wanted it and was gold. He was going to reply, but a familiar face poked up at him. Even though the plastic wrap, he knew who was on the other side. His smile faded into a scowl. "I thought I told you to meet me on 21st street." Seeing how there was no window he figured he could be heard just fine.
"Yeah, well you stopped here, just thought I'd see what was going on."
"..." Amadeus rolled his eyes and unlocked the door.
Agent O'Neil sat down and shut the door behind him. "Cosy… why don't you have windows exactly?"
"Long story."
"Hm… Okay, fine. So, I'm here, like you asked… wanna talk to me or just sit there awkwardly?" O'Neil leaned back against his seat.
"Look, man…" Amadeus sighed softly, and he reached up to twirl a piece of his hair, a bit of a nervous habit. "The twins and I… we didn't do shit!"
"I'm aware of this. You guys were in interrogation when the second attack happened. No bombs or survivors were found." O'Neil rather snarkily informed Amadeus.
"Then why haven't you told the press this? Why are we still being blamed!? People are treating us differently."
"You know why…"
"Ben…" Amadeus sighed out once again, this time more in irritation than anything.
O'Neil just shook his head, "Look, you want your name cleared, you gotta bring Ben to me. He's the only one of your party not accounted for during both attacks."
"..."
"If that's all-" O'Neil seemed like he was ready to leave. He had his hand on the handle ready to pull, but Amadeus stopped him suddenly with a rather harsher than intended:
"Wait!"
O'Neil paused.
"What if… no… tonight. We're all gonna be out… I can prove to you with this alone that neither the Twins or I had anything to do with the attacks."
"Oh? Interesting… you didn't mention Benjamin in that sentence."
"..."
"Do you not trust him?"
"Look, the guy is kinda… I'm not saying I don't trust him- I don't, but that's beside the point. He puts on the front that he's an innocent guy, but I've seen him give off some strange vibes. Plus there's the big issue…"
"Big issue?"
Amadeus clasped his hands together like he was praying and brought them up to his lips. He tapped his hands against his lips a few times before deciding on what to say next. "I legit cannot tell you. You won't believe me and think I'm crazy. This is something you have to see to believe, I almost don't even believe it myself."
"... Okay then… I'll just take your word on it. When is this meeting then?"
"I'll text you."
"Fine." With that O'Neil finally opened the door and stepped out of the truck. Before he could fully walk away from Amadeus, Amadeus had one last thing to yell out at O'Neil.
"Hey! Don't forget my thirty pieces of silver next time!"