Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my OC Nafisa and any allterations to the storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.
Romeo And Juliet Of Dragon City Chapter 11
Since the confrontation that led to the tragic accident at Penn Stables things haven't been easy for the Penn siblings. So far they've been able to lay low thanks to Parmon's help. After the last attack by the Dragon Eye Crew it's far too risky for them to stay at the Stables. So they've been staying at that abandoned warehouse nearby Parmon's place that he recommended for them, but the living arrangements are going to have to change and soon.
This isn't a permanent setup.
Things are pretty tight.
Their father left a little money behind in a decent sized nest egg, but it's not much in the grand scheme of things. Combined with the amount Nafisa has saved up since she began her own racing career it's enough to help them get by for the time being, but just barely.
Nafisa decides she has no choice. In spite of the risks she has to return to racing at least until her condition gets so far along where she no longer has a choice. Artha is too inexperienced on the tracks. There's no way in hell he can support them all just yet. To feed her family this is what she has to do. So Nafisa went back to the OBGYN and explained the problem to her doctor who recommended a girdle corset type of device that can wrap around her stomach while not creating any harmful pressure to the baby. To the contrary this device deters that type of stuff. The doctor explains what this does. Nafisa can wear this all the time when she's racing and on the terrain it'll take readings on her body while providing the fetus with sustainable and adjustable to different environments. It's the only way for Nafisa to both conceal her pregnancy and make absolutely sure the infant growing within her remains perfectly healthy at the very same time.
And to be frank Nafisa is definitely needed for this. If she had stepped back and allowed Artha to handle all this shit on his own then they would've starved to death by now.
Humans and Dragons alike.
At present Artha is about to flunk out another race. Just another to add to the growing list.
Artha is so new at this that the other racers are practically eating him alive in the All City Races.
Nafisa is a bystander with Parmon and Lance on this one. Nafisa will be racing during the main event later on in the day with Artha, but this one he's doing on his own. More or less to help him spread his wings a tiny bit given she can't be everywhere at once to carry him.
Don't get Nafisa wrong Artha is getting better, but much to her displeasure not fast enough.
Well at the very least Artha hasn't exactly finished in last place this time. Well more like next to last.
As Parmon is all too happy to point out.
Shrugging, smiling sheepishly at a stony faced Nafisa, Parmon said "He's improving."
Nafisa snaps her head toward Parmon wearing a deadpan expression.
"Shutting up," said Parmon.
That may very well save Parmon's life. Combined with the terrible bought of morning sickness she was victim to earlier that day Nafisa is so not in the mood to deal with any of this stupid nonsense right now.
Parmon, Lance, and Nafisa then go to meet Artha and Beau at their assigned tent in the designated area where all he racers are set up with all their equipment and gear.
Artha and Beau make an important appearance not long after the trio got there with their own Dragons.
Trying to look on the bright side, Parmon said "At least you didn't finish last this time."
Grinning, Artha said "Yeah, yeah, I'm getting better. Aren't I?"
Nafisa is not impressed.
Neither is Lance, saying "Yeah, you're finding new ways to stink."
Lance puts Artha's helmet on his head where it tilts crookedly on the uneven surface.
The Dragons laugh at the low blow to Artha's ego.
"Seriously, Artha, if you don't make some substantial improvements in your overall racing effectiveness and gain significant point standings you're going to be dropped from the All City Racing Circuit," said Parmon, having been keeping track. "And then what will we do?"
Artha's stats are way too low. So Nafisa is seriously getting worried, concern more than evident.
Extracting the amulet from underneath his racing jacket, Artha sighed "I know, Parmon. I have to race. I have to do better."
Sensing the gloominess coming off Artha in waves Beau rumbles gently nudging Artha in the shoulder.
Nafisa smiles pleased at how close the two partners are becoming.
Nafisa is thankful that one good thing has come out of all this turmoil. It's ignited Artha's new love of Dragons.
Moonbeam copies Beau and does the same to her. Nafisa chuckles rubbing her partner on the forehead just the way she prefers.
Cheerfully, Parmon said "Well don't worry. You're not alone. You have us. Your buds, your troops, your guides, your fellowship, your-."
"Racing team," said Lance, holding up a flash stick.
Unfortunately for Lance the flash stick went off directly next to his head. Lance drops, seeing stars.
"Yup, there's my race team. Look at us. Look at this gear," said Artha, pointing at the broken gear sparking on Beau's back. "We're a mess."
Artha then freezes as he spots to Kitt Wonn tending to her own Dragon at their station not too far away. Artha now has an all lovey dopey expression on his face.
Rolling her eyes Nafisa slaps Artha on the back of his head to snap him out of the daze.
Laughing at Artha, Lance said "Isn't that your girlfriend, Kitt Wonn?"
"Hey she's not my girlfriend, Dork," spat Artha, rubbing the back of his head where Nafisa hit him. "Did you have to do that, Sis?"
"Yes and unless you learn to focus I'll keep doing it," said Nafisa, sternly.
"Artha's in love! Artha's in love," said Lance, teasing making the rest of them smile.
Not appreciating it Artha messes with the helmet where the back is now completely obscuring Lance's face.
This makes them laugh even harder.
"Artha, I've got a plan. For the next race try this," said Parmon, revealing a very familiar contraption to them.
"Artha's vid game controller," said Nafisa, confused.
Parmon then goes into a long, boring, and dull explanation about how he's converted the equipment where he can race Beau just like in the game and communicate with them at the exact same time. Pretty clever stuff, but it nearly had them falling asleep on their feet.
Parmon really needs to learn to shorten his answers to keep people interested.
Unbeknownst to the group a separate racing team is watching them off from a distance.
Moordryd and Cain.
Zooming in on them with a set of binoculars Moordryd sneers as he locks onto Artha. He still can't believe the stable brat is actually the Dragon Booster. He knows very well that Nafisa would never lie to him, but that doesn't lessen his dislike. Moordryd's disposition softens a little as he switches direction towards Nafisa. His personal disconcertment and apprehension spikes a tiny amount as he remembers the recent news she shared with him.
Nafisa's pregnancy changes everything in the game. Moordryd has so many mixed feelings about it that he doesn't really know what to think. He wants to be there to support and raise this child, but it's not as easy as that. Both of their families will be a huge problem especially after the feud has been ignited so drastically.
Moordryd has no idea how his father will react so he'll have to try to keep this a secret as long as possible. But that's not the biggest issue he has to deal with.
After he learned that Nafisa is still going to be racing to an extent this season he confronted her when she was alone. He tried to convince her to bow out and was met with steadfast refusal. Nafisa has no other choice given her brother is so new at this and her family needs a source of income. So Moordryd reluctantly backs off. It's not like he can just give her money. His father would notice and demand answers when he isn't spending it on stuff he normally does. Too risky.
So far nothing has happened, but that doesn't mean it'll remain that way. It practically kills Moordryd that he can't be open about he feels for her, but this is the way it has to be for their sakes.
A speed race is coming up soon in the next few hours. He'll steer clear of Nafisa, but Artha Penn is going down hard.
Authors Note:
September 11th has come and gone once again. I was very young when it happened. Don't know about all of you, but I certainly was really scared. One minute I was at elementary school in class and the next my parents are pulling me out, taking my little sister and I home. That's when we learned the truth. The Twin Towers we'd see all the time whenever we traveled outside the city limits on road trips would no longer be there. We were stunned when we'd seen them destroyed on TV. Those trips were never the same again just like the lives of millions. In honor for the people that fell that day and to those still struggling to survive from the aftermath I suggest a moment of respective silence. I think we all can use that.
Hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D
I've been meaning to get back to this one for a while and only now I've managed to find time and inspiration for it. I'm very satisfied and happy about it.
The next race is something to look forward to.
Big time heads up! Article 13 is on the move again. Our freedom of speech is seriously on the line. Find a legitimate petition that is fighting this decision and sign onto it. Every signature counts to keep what we love alive.
I recently put up some other works I've put out at titled Secret Of Bristol Cove, Predators Redemption, A Revolutionary Romance, Fantine Tezla: Hot Wheels Acceleracers, Magic And the Brave Little Toaster 1, Lavinia: Princess Of Edelweiss, Rorschach's Legend, Watchmen Meets Avengers: The Newest Defender, The 8th Loser, Naomi Poldark: Mistress Of Nampara, Serenity: End Guardian To The Moors, Dido Cruger: Power Rangers SPD, and Nuala: The White Lioness. I highly recommend them. ;D
By the way Rorschach's Legend and Watchmen Meets Avengers: The Newest Defender are the newest additions to my profile. If you're a fan of Watchmen and the new series on HBO coming up soon then I recommend that you check it out. Since it was just recently uploaded I really would enjoy hearing other peoples thoughts on the subject matter so far. So feel free to do so if you have the time.
I have other grand news! I was a patron at New York Comic Con! Ah! I'd been dying to go for years and now I had the opportunity. The Jokers from Impractical Jokers have been here along with Tom Hiddleston and so many others. Over those few days I actually got my picture taken with a couple of other actors/actresses and some really great panels. It really is so exciting there. This is an opportunity of a lifetime so there's no way in hell that I was going to waste a single second of it. No one ever should with something like this. Ever! ;D
For future preferences I highly recommend that you all keep an eye out for when tickets for New York Comic Con are available for purchase again for next year. This is a huge event and you should jump on it whenever you have the chance.