The lioness licked his face and continued purring. She licked his face free of tears and then uncurled from around him. She stood and walked to the middle of the room. She shifted back and Master Lope and the others gasp. " This is why his aura is calm. Because he feels safe with you." said Master Lope.
" You are correct." said Master Swoop. He then turned around and walked out.
He returned a moment later with a stack of papers in his arms. He walked to the table and slammed them down with a thud. Master Lope gasped knowing what the papers were. Master Swoop walked over to RJ and yanked him up by his shirt. He dragged him over to the table and then let go. He took out a pen and set it on the table. " Sigh them!" hissed Master Swoop. RJ took the pen in a shaking hand and begun to sign.
He finished ten minutes later. All the masters had sat down, except Master Lope, who was closest to the door.
" Now what is the meaning of this?!" screamed Master Phant. " The meaning of this, you fool, is that none of you can touch him. He is now my student as RJ just kindly signed over his rights." said Master Swoop.
He walked over to Theo and laid a hand on his side. He uncurled and sat up. Master Swoop leaned down and picked him up like a baby. Theo's arms wrapped around his neck and he turned to the others. " It's about time brother. You should have claimed him months ago." said Master Lope. " I was honoring his wishes." said Master Swoop. Theo shook in Master Swoop's arms and buried his head in his chest.
" What is going on? What do you know?" asked Master Guin. RJ lunged at Master Swoop and he switched Theo to his hip, leaving him with a fee hand. His hand shot out and he caught RJ by the neck. He didn't squeeze, just held him at bay. " You have crossed one too many lines with me and I've had it." said Master Swoop. He let go of RJ and turned around. As he was getting ready to levitate, RJ grabbed Theo by the shoulder.
Master Swoop tightened his hold and lashed out with his leg. He dropped low and spun around. A well placed kick had RJ flying across the room and slamming into the opposite wall. He came out of his spin and straightened up. He readjusted his hold on Theo and once again held him like a baby. He walked to the door and Master Lope put a hand on his shoulder. " Take care of him." said Master Lope. " You know I will. Thank you brother." said Master Swoop.
He then walked out the door and down the stairs. He made it to the back room door and knocked. Fran opened the door and gaped at what she saw. " Could you get the door?" asked Master Swoop. Fran held the door and he walked through. He made it to the vine covered entrance and floated over it and through. He landed on his patio. He walked over to his swing and sat down. " Let go." said Master Swoop. Theo cried for the next three hours.
" Why would he do that? I don't understand." said Theo.
The pain, betrayal, and fear surging along the bond had Master Swoop sighing. " Can you tell me why you have such a fear of being in my arms when I'm levitating?" asked Master Swoop. " RJ grabbed me against my will. I didn't hear him coming and the next thing I knew, we were levitating. I didn't know it and was struggling. He dropped me. I landed on my shoulder. That's why I have such a fear of it." said Theo. " No wonder you freak out. Do you trust me?" asked Master Swoop. " You know I do, why?" asked Theo.
" Because, we're going to levitate. I'm going to go slow and you'll be in my arms, but we are going to do this." said Master Swoop. Theo took a shaky breathe. " OK." said Theo.