Romeo and Juliet of Dragon City Chapter 5
Nafisa found herself spending time with her Dragon Moonbeam in the stables after Moordryd's hasty departure. He hadn't wanted to be caught there by her father and neither did she.
What Moordryd said to her was really putting a hell of a lot of pressure on Nafisa's mind. She was dumbfounded about what to do. On the one hand Nafisa wanted to preserve her fathers dream while on the other she didn't want Moordryd to get into deep trouble from his father.
Either way Nafisa was screwed. It's impossible for her to not help one without severely hurting the other.
On top of all this Nafisa still had her pregnancy to deal with. She had a pretty tough decision to make. There's really no question of her keeping it, but it's the stuff that comes afterwards that's really going to hit her hard.
That was not the right time to tell Moordryd before. She knew in her heart she should've, but Nafisa couldn't bring herself to do it just yet. Not after what he just finished telling her. Fear took over so in her mind it was too soon.
Moordryd is one thing, her father is another.
Nafisa knew that her father would never abandon her in her time of need like this. The ever loving and caring father Connor Penn would make sure that Nafisa and her child would have a home, protected, and were suitably provided for. What Nafisa thought she couldn't bear to take is the disappointment she'd see in his eyes the moment she told him that she'd be pulling out of the racing circuit during the pregnancy. Connor Penn made no secret of the high hopes he had of her getting accepted into the Academy for Elite Class racers. With Artha so objective to racing on the circuit it was up to her to follow his legacy. Now it would be a year at the very least for when she took up again in the All City Races. That is if ever. Becoming a new mother may very well interfere for good taking over the rest of her life entirely. Nafisa could help him with the breeding programs, but even that is of little consolation to her at this part of her life.
Nevertheless this is something that could no longer be avoided no matter how much she wanted it to be.
As if sensing her rider's inner conflict from the levels of distress coming off of Nafisa in enormous waves Moonbeam lowered her head nudging her in the side. Moonbeam released a soft comforting rumble to help soothe Nafisa.
Moonbeam is a Black Draconium Dragon that her brother had bred here at Penn Stables and gifted to her as a child once he saw she was ready for a Dragon of this nature and Class. Psi-Class Dragons have always been hard for people to control compared to others. That wasn't the case with Moonbeam and Nafisa. These two fit together quite easily once they met. They've been best friends ever since. Connor Penn mentioned it is because Nafisa is a natural with all types of Dragons.
Moonbeam has got white spots over her sides, midsection, and upper legs along with a white stripe that starts from her head all the way down the back to the tip of her tail for unique markings. This brings out the emphasis of why this Dragon is called Moonbeam is of slim slender build, but still extremely strong. Moonbeam has proved her worth as much ten times over on the racetracks.
Even more so as a friend like now.
Moonbeam went basically everywhere with Nafisa. So it's safe to assume that she already knew what was going on with her rider.
Wrapping an arm around Moonbeam's neck while massaging her forehead, Nafisa sighed "I guess it's now or never, Moonbeam. I'm going to have to tell him sooner or later."
Moonbeam licked her in response.
Chuckling, kissing the side of Moonbeam's head, Nafisa said "Wish me luck."
Nafisa then left Moonbeam alone in her stall as she went off in search of her father. She soon found him inside of the shed that housed the Gear they owned.
"Dad, I need to talk to-," began Nafisa.
"Quiet," said Connor Penn, a serious look on his face as he raised a hand up for silence.
Nafisa instantly froze on the spot.
Connor Penn's brow furrowed on his face listening for something.
After a couple of seconds went by with nothing, Nafisa whispered "What is it?"
"I thought I heard something," muttered Connor Penn.
Turns out he did.
A roar was heard one they both recognized.
Exchanging an alarmed glance with each other, both said "Beau!"
With Connor Penn at the head father and daughter rushed to Beau's stall.
What they found there wasn't good.
There they saw the door wide open. Beau was inside on the platform where he slept prepared for a fight. In the doorway stood a figure whom clearly shouldn't be there. Because this unknown figure was wearing a helmet covering their face they would be unrecognizable to most.
Not to Nafisa. She'd recognize that brand of armor anywhere.
Moordryd. He'd come for Beau just like he said.
No way Connor Penn was going to tolerate this.
"Stay here," said Connor Penn, angrily, moving to confront Moordryd.
Nafisa prayed that this wouldn't end badly.
"Using your Mag Burst to repel the Draconium in my suit. Well let's see what you do with this," spat Moordryd, pulling out his mechanical Bo staff, ignorant to the fact he had even more company.
Beau growled shifting into a defensive stance.
Moordryd raised the Bo staff to force Beau into submission. He was stopped before he could even land a single hit on Beau.
"Get away from my Dragon!"
Connor had come claiming the Flash Stick Moordryd had left lodged in the ground as a weapon to use against this intruder.
Nafisa was hiding out of the way where Connor told her to stay while he handled this.
Pointing his Bo staff warningly at Connor Penn, Moordryd said "Stay out of this, Old Man!" He then launched himself at Connor releasing a battle cry.
Connor Penn was ready to take him on. And that he did.
As they fought it was apparent that Moordryd had a lot of skill and training being one of the top racers and leaders in the Down City Crews. There wasn't just that. As Nafisa observed this from the sidelines she noticed that Moordryd was taking great care not to do anything that would leave any serious damage to her father. He was taking what she'd asked him of earlier to heart. Nafisa is grateful for this. She only wished Moordryd was never in this position to take such risks in the first place.
But Moordryd didn't really hold a candle to Connor Penn. The older man had years of hard training and experience on his side.
"Too angry. Too reckless," chided Connor Penn, smiling mockingly as they locked weapons.
Moordryd didn't take too kindly to that. He started to lose his temper. This was going to cost him.
Connor Penn soon got the upper hand.
Moordryd slammed into the outside of the stall his helmet slipped off revealing his face allowing Connor Penn to see the identity of the person trying to steal his prized Black and Gold Dragon.
Eyes narrow, Connor Penn said "Moordryd Paynn."
Rising to his feet, furious, Moordryd proclaimed "This isn't over. You don't know what you've just started."
Moordryd them fled his threat lingering in the aftermath he left behind.
Placing fisted hands on hips, worried, Connor Penn said "So Word, my Old Friend, you will stop at nothing to get this Dragon. Time is running out. Beau must choose."
Beau growled tossing his head and clawing the ground in territorial aggression.
Coming out of hiding as she went to her father, Nafisa said "Are you all right?"
Turning to her, smiling reassuringly, Connor Penn said "Fine. Nothing I couldn't handle. Go inside with your brothers. I'll look after Beau."
"All right," said Nafisa, heading for the house.
"Nafisa," said Connor Penn, stopping her.
"Yes, Papa," said Nafisa.
"What was it you wanted to talk to me about," inquired Connor Penn.
"Oh, it's not important," said Nafisa, waving it off.
"You sure," said Connor Penn.
"Yeah," said Nafisa.
"Ok then, go on," said Connor Penn.
Nafisa nodded and left, keeping her mouth shut. She'd intended to inform him of the pregnancy. Those plans just changed.
Yeah…now is not a good time. Nafisa contemplated waiting a little longer to break the news to her family about the baby.
Nafisa will wait another day or two until this dies down to break the news.
Nafisa should've done so sooner.
For on this same exact night tragedy would strike the Penn family to the core.
Authors Note:
Hope you guys like this one.
Glad you all had a Happy Halloween! I was on candy duty, but unlike the majority of those stuck with the task I actually like it. :D
Also, I lost one of my jobs today. Good news is I have more time to write, bad news I need to go looking for a new second job again. Sucks, huh. So for the time being you guys have me for however long that'll be.