(Before we begin, i have to give a thank u to my friend, who without their help this story wouldn't be possible!)
•Uncle's Antique Shop•
"Here we are."
"Woah."
The shop wasn't much to look at, having a sort of asian inspired architecture to it that made it stand out amongst other shops around it.
They both got their suitcases out of the trunk of the taxi and headed inside, where the smell of dust, old parchment and ink filled the air, but to both of them, it felt like home, even more so for Jackie.
"Uncle, we're back!"
An old man wearing a yellowish vest over a long sleeve dress shirt with blue jeans and sandals stepped out from the back, adjusting the glasses on his face before opening his arms seemingly for a hug.
But when Jackie went to do so, he got finger's flicked to his head.
"Ow!"
"What took you so long? Uncle cannot run shop by himself like he used to!"
"Im sorry uncle, we got held up by-"
At that moment, a large truck pulled up outside of the shop, drawing their attention.
"That."
"Damn, that was fast. Not even UPS is that fast."
They headed outside and after signing off on it, had the statue removed and taken inside the shop, being set up on a wall off to the side but still visible.
Uncle takes a look at the statue and felt an odd feeling go through him, which made him shake for a moment.
"Are you ok?"
"Yes, Uncle is just a little cold.
Without saying another word he headee back into the back of the shop.
"Is he always like that?"
"Not always, you'll get used to being around him after a while."
"I hope so."
Jackie headed upstairs with his suitcase, but before Alex followed him, he looked back at the statue and for a moment, he swore its eye's glowed a blood red.
The day went by quicker than expected, as soon enough everyone was fast asleep.
Well, not everyone was.
Alex tossed and turned in his bed, unable to sleep, even as the clock sitting on the nightstand next to the bed read 2:00am.
"Why can't i sleep..?"
It was kind of a dumb question. He knew exactly why he couldn't sleep, but the man couldn't bring himself to admit that was the exact reason.
He couldn't get that statue out of his head.
"You know what? Fuck it."
He got up out of bed, wearing nothing but pajama pants decorated with cartoon dragons, some were shown flying, others breathing fire, and the rest were curled up sleeping, little z's shown near their heads.
He walked downstairs, the main room of the shop being illuminated by the light from the full moon outside shining through the large window's nearby.
He stood in front of it, looking abit up at it, before taking a deep breath to calm himself.
"Its just a statue Alex, it won't and can't hurt you."
"Maybe not in the state i'm in now, mortal, but if i was back to my powerful self, well lets just say you'd be in trouble."
His blood ran cold as he opened his eyes and took a few steps back.
"D-did you just talk?"
"Oh please tell me you aren't this dimwitted."
"I'm not stupid."
"I have yet to be proven otherwise."
The man huffed as he swore the statue hissed like a snake, though given the statue was a dragon that wouldn't be too far off.
"I saved you from that place, didn't i?"
The statue chuckled in response.
"And you expect me to be grateful?"
"This shop is better than rotting back there, isn't it?"
The statue's eyes flared and he could swear that if it could, it'd probably have breathed fire just then.
"..why do you have dragons on your pants, mortal?"
"Huh? Oh! Well, because i like them, ever since i was little, i just think their cool."
"We do not look like that."
"Well, could you show me what you look like?"
"You can already see me, mortal."
"No, i mean, what you looked like before..this.."
He said that last part as he did a circle with his hand.
"And why would you assume im not just a statue brought to life?"
"Do you really think i'm that much of an idiot?"
"But do you want me answering that question, mortal?"
"I suppose no-stop calling me mortal!"
He didn't yell that, but he did say it loud enough so that only the two of them could hear it.
"If you expect me to call you anything else, well, you should know the answer to that."
The man yawned, before he realized what time it was and started to head back upstairs to try to sleep.
But no, this conversation was not over, not by a longshot.
Morning came quicker than expected, and yet Alex had actually managed to sleep in, that is until he heard a knock at his bedroom door.
"Ugh..give me a sec.."
He got up, heading over to the door and opened it, seeing Jackie standing there.
"Oh, good morning, professor."
"I've got breakfast ready, so come on down and eat."
"Alright, i'll be down in a minute."
Jackie headed downstairs and after shutting the door, Alex got changed into a pair of jeans, and a grey shirt, slipping on his tennis shoes on the way out.
Once he arrived downstairs, he saw Uncle placing items in shelves, likely some antiques he had recently aquired.
He stopped once he saw jackie holding out his hand, in which was a sausage breakfast sandwich, easily recognizable from the brand emblazoned on the wrapping around it.
It may have not been the most healthy option, but it was better than going hungry.
The younger man took it and unwrapped it abit before taking a bite of it.
"Mmm..i've miss mcdonalds.."
He swallowed bite of food and took another one, following the pattern until he crumpled up the wrapping and threw it in the trash.
Apparently jackie had been on the phone, as he hung up after he threw the wrapping away.
"I just got a call from Buvaria, they have found King Ludwig's castle and want me to lead an expedition to explore it."
"Thats awesome! So what should i pack?"
"I'm afraid this is just for me, Alex."
Alex became abit downtrodden, kicking at the ground with his shoe.
"Aww.."
"Its alright, i won't be gone but a few days, but i need you to help Uncle with the shop while i'm gone, can you do that for me?"
Alex nodded, a soft smile forming on his face.
He hoped there wouldn't be much to do, but he'd help regardless. Besides, maybe he could learn more about that statue.
"Alright, i've got to get packing."
Jackie headed upstairs, the door to his room opening and then closing shut.
He noticed Uncle had left, likely to go to the back of the store, leaving him alone.
He took a deep breath and turned towards the statue, seeing it was still hanging in the same spot, but that honestly didn't surprise the man one bit.
He did want to talk to it, but due to it being morning and everyone was awake, that wouldn't be the best idea.
Oh well, he'd just have to wait till tonight.