Sunday Evening…

Angela ponders how she got here. The moment when she’s sitting in the kitchen of Drenar’s house, busily talking about world-spanning conspiracies, insurrectionist mages with a history of violence, and an artifact that could alter the world.

Also, dragons. It’s her wildest dream to come to life. If only the dragon in her head wouldn't stop chattering, poor Samarina is almost as frustrated as she is with the extremely limited communication methods. She's fortunate that Samarina knows a small portion of Latin and French, for some reason. And draconic.

That's not going to be an easy one to learn after Nick recognized the phrases. It had been a very slow translation, cut off when Samarina would just…disappear. She couldn't feel that slight tingle down her spine or wrapped around her mind at the moment.

Drenar had explained that he had the same situation with Alex inside his head, before Awakening. He had been intermittent, and it wasn't until the battle in the mine that his presence solidified.

So, one mystery down. The bigger mystery is why Samarina hasn't picked up English yet. Translating has been very slow for the obvious reason that no one can hear her, and the language is meant more for dragon physiology. Tonal notes from the throat are easier in that form.

Nick had been spending the evening after an exhausting day of training cooking a meal with the well-stocked fridge, and Levine had also called in using a secure arcanlink–a magical communication that was highly secure and high-quality audio, and continued with his forensic analysis. The files that they'd managed to secure had been easy to open; Crosomer and company hadn't bothered to encrypt them. A lucky break that probably wouldn’t happen again.

“So, Nick, know how I said it couldn't be done?” Levine asks warily. “Well, guess what, it can be done. Despite their atrocious combat record, those researchers know their stuff. I could use data analysts like them under the team.”

“Uh, minor problem. They work for team villains, and the pay is probably better on the dark side,” James points out in a way that causes Nick to wince. “What, it's true, man, who descends to a life of scum and villainy without recognizing that the path to money is quicker, if more risky?”

“Points to the young upstart, but the big takeaway is, that machine can pierce into the aether. It can activate dormant draconic genes to an active state, and begin a process almost identical to Awakening. And it is far from the only thing it does, if Crosomer is telling the truth. It destroyed almost all the dragons.”

“Dude, they built their own pyre, marched right up to it, doused themselves in gasoline, and dropped a torch at their feet. They went and had a knee-jerk reaction to staying out of history, and that's the opinion I'm sticking with,” James retorts. “They're shapeshifters. They could have easily kept blending in. That talk of staying out of the way of history is bogus. Whoever was selling the story they could get off this world wanted this outcome. So who was the snake oil salesman?”

“Does it really matter?” Drenar sighs. He looks exhausted, and has a few more bruises than when the day started, much to Angela's annoyance. “History happened. Move on from it. What have we learned that is crucial to the next step?”

“They were working off a partially completed translation matrix. They took detailed notes from Crosomer's journal. Nigel documented the whole damn thing!” Levine says almost proudly. “The stick I got this from was only a backup, and Crosomer has the journal still. He had it partially translated seven hundred years ago. It's ancient draconic. It's so ancient I can't even read more than a few symbols. And the language structural rules don't seem to be the same. It's very strange.”

“So they can't reverse the whole process?” Nick asks while handing Angela a well-cooked chicken breast with salad greens. She feels utterly famished and smiles politely at him before digging in, along with everyone else.

“Sounds like they hit roadblocks. Energy limitations and the incomplete translation matrix. I see references to other sites they're searching, but nothing concrete. Needless to say, I'm still digging through it. What about their local help, Nick? I know you guys are…still recovering somewhat.” Levine sounds hesitant over the line.

“We’ll be alright,” Drenar answers back. “So, um…I know we’ve talked a lot about our plans about how to track these scumbags, and I think we have a plan for the school. Hah. School. What a joke now, I'm a half-dragon who had a hand in throwing a beating at an ancient mage warlord, and I have to concern myself with school,” he laughs, as if he finds it funny.

"Is he…okay?” Levine inquires.

“He's just digging into absurdity. He's fine,” Julia says proudly and gives his shoulder a rub. “Fear not, everyone will be brain dead after a three-day weekend!”

“You are unusually chipper, Tsundere,” Angela says with a slight smile. “What did you two do last night?”

“Netflix and chilled?” He shrugs. “Ah Fates, normalcy. I could use more of that here. Nick, intro time! I must hear about your exploits as the double-O dragon!”

“Oh no. The less you know about me, the better off you are. You'll find I’m quite boring,” Nick replies back. He's busily carving up his meal and taking a break from cooking. Levine chuckles in the background. “Don't need any help here, Dillenger,” he says with a sigh.

“Oh he's not boring, don't let him fool you,” Levine says, and Angela has to admit, it’s true. He is quite interesting. And even though she found it annoying that he's had to keep his true form a secret, along with his job…she didn't hate him for the less-than-stellar reveal. “Nick's a good little boy scout with a penchant for the wilderness, monster management, and a damn fine soldier. I'll also say, I've occasionally had to pull him out of the way of fire. He tends to attract a lot of it.”

“Yes, Nick, I would love to know how you maintain a dual life so easily,” she says with a slight smirk. It's telling when he looks a little flustered at her.

“Well, practicality for one. It kinda stinks, that I have to keep parts of my life separate but you get used to it. It's no different than monster studies. Planning and patience. A lot less danger though. Usually. I've seen the world, fought the Talons a time or two, and a lot of other criminals who are now in jail or…well, worse off places.”

“Yes, but how did you start?” she insists as everyone else nods along. Dinner is mostly wrapping up, though everyone is leaning into ‘story time’ as a much-needed reprieve. Even Evan is leaning in, though he's staying mostly quiet. He had been beside himself when everyone got back to the house, injured, soaked, and in a not-so-great mood.

Nick finally relents. “Well, since you must know because of infectious charisma, I grew up, right here in town. Three other sisters, all half-dragons like me. I was the oldest, bravest, and apparently, supposed to keep those three out of trouble. Hah. Mom should have worried about me,” he says with a smile. “We spent a lot of time exploring the wilderness. There's a mage bio-zone not far from here actually. And we went there a lot. Essentially they're all monitored and flagged these days. Anyone without mana will usually meander around them by some simple enchantment or impassable terrain, and they act as miniature pocket planes. There's a lot of them on the planet, surprisingly.”

“Hence the interest in magical creatures,” Angela concludes. “That must have been dangerous.”

“Nah. My dad almost always went with us. He's a talented researcher. He actually worked on some of Amaranth's later works, and I've been… let's say a ghost contributor. SAF pays decently. Anyway, we never got into real danger except once. Right when I Awakened. That was…interesting,” he says with a distant look.

“When did you first transform?” Julia asks.

"Fifteen. A little early, but my mother was proud. Anyway, long story short, the monster chased us, and then I chased him right back once I could burn him something fierce. That was something,” he laughs. “A few years later, I was done with basic mage school, and got my ticket into SAF. Mom always said to join the Valkyries, but…as good as I am, I don't think I'd have made the cut. Also that gender ratio. It would have been intimidating.” Strangely he glances at Angela, and she can't help but feel like it's a telling look.

“Who are the Valkyries? Crosomer mentioned them,” Drenar asks observantly.

“Real heroes. I mean the real deal. They’re a lot of women–and a few men–of uncommon valor and training who have been around as long as recorded mage history. They’re well trained, well armed, well disciplined,” he explains briefly. “They’ve taken on impossible tasks keeping our world defended. Even against the Outsiders from the Schism War. I know it sounds a bit like hero worship…but they’re a shining beacon of good in a world that needs it. But they can’t be everywhere. And they stay neutral when it comes to mage world politics. They don’t like the spotlight.”

“Do they work with SAF?” Nick nods after a second.

“Sometimes, in joint-operations. Levine can attest to that. It’s nice having professionals you can trust, but they aren’t as numerous as SAF agents. I don’t know if they have eyes on the drakensouls emerging, or what's been going on with the Talons. I've been at this for a long time. Even though I know this whole situation is highly unusual. Unique, even. I never met a group like you who started from nothing and pieced things together like you did. I may have been stern before, because I care about your safety, more than anything.”

“Aye. Nick's a stickler for rules and safety,” Levine comments politely. “He's a good kid.”

“I'm older than you, Levine,” Nick retorts smugly.

“You still get carded at the bar. Me, I've got that aged wine appeal,” he says confidently, and Nick scoffs. These two must be good friends, even out of work, when Angela thinks about it. “For now, I think us flying under the radar is key. We need Angela and Julia awakened, so the second you get the signs, tell us. I've got word that the powers that be are sending a team to check the collapsed mine, but I doubt Crosomer and company left much for us to sift through. Jonaleth Winters is now our primary path to finding out their secondary contacts, and this bravo site they mentioned. I'm keen on finding out what other data and plans they've enacted.”

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Levine adds a slight roll to his words at the end. “Nick, you might want to consider moving them to your base of operations soon. It'll be safer in the short term, until we can assess how big the threat is, or what the Talons plan on next. And eventually getting ‘the parents’ into the fold.”

“Sounds good, Levine. I'll be in touch later,” Nick concludes before turning the communicator off. “We’ll go over the plan in the morning. Winters may possibly know about me, but he doesn't know about you guys. This may be our one window, but we're playing this smart. Everyone, get some rest. We've got a busy day tomorrow.”

With that said, everyone mostly drifts away from the table, with Evan and James trying small talk about cards, trying to find some semblance of normal. Angela looks at her brother and winces. He must feel completely out of his depth in the presence of five dragons, friends he's known for a long time, and thrust into a fairy tale that shouldn't be possible. Julia and Drenar discuss science, and Drenar gently pushes back on Julia's methods. She grins and assures him she won't hurt him beyond repair. He doesn't stop looking nervous at that notion.

Which left Nick, someone whom she hadn't realized she’d been spending a lot of time talking to during school. Maybe even more than Drenar lately–and that bothers her. Samarina, why am I thinking of him and not Drenar, who could have suffered some mild to slightly severe trauma?

Se-vous, nas’tari? Ed dou vous. Her response is predictably undecipherable draconic. At least Nick knows how to translate it. She sighs. She really needs to talk to Drenar but he’s otherwise being occupied by the raven-haired Viking, and she’s grinning like she just won a prize on any number of her science projects. And James is predictably useless on matters of heart.

Samarina, do I like Nick? As a more than friends sort of thing? The pause is telling because she feels her presence shift inside her mind.

Vey. salai vius, ne-ta.

She didn’t need a translation to tell her the thing she’s been dreading. Ever since her and Drenar kissed she's had mixed feelings about it, and whether she should have dared him or not. He’s…definitely boyfriend material for someone, because even when he occasionally gets lost in his own emotions, he’s a good friend and a confidant.

She just doesn’t know if he’s boyfriend material for her. Or, maybe it’s the other way around, and she’s not girlfriend material for him. I practically grabbed his hand and put it on my breasts, and he just got so embarrassed! This kid needs to read the room a bit better, but he still did alright.

Oooh. tes’na vaaaa, Angela.

Do you understand what I’m saying, but not the other way around? A sudden realization dawns upon her.

Vey.

So you can understand me. Well, that’s an odd quirk, but I’ll take it. Learning draconic is going to take a while, but Drenar and Alex understand each other. Why is that?

Vio valos. Na-te. She interpreted that as ‘I don’t really know.’ Another thought comes up.

What is the word for ‘dragon,’ Samarina?

Gaia.

Angela frowns. Nick had mentioned Gaia earlier today, but James had said something snarky and Nick hadn’t brought up the subject afterward–he’d probably been put off by James’ usual abrasiveness. Is Gaia a dragon?

Vey. Madara vios Terra. Angela took a guess on that one. There were some fragments that sounded like word particles, something familiar.

Mother of Earth? A guardian over all?

Vey. Mother. Gaa’rdian.

“Hey, everything alright?” She flinches and realizes Nick is standing by the next chair over, looking at her with concern. He’s got a dish towel slung over his shoulder and his hair is untied and spread down. “You were looking distant for a minute.”

“I think I’m okay. I mean, still processing this whole situation, but…I was also trying to talk to Samarina. She understands me, but can’t speak the other way around unless I identify the words. It’s interesting. It’s almost like solving…” She searches for the word, “A cryptogram, almost.”

“Nice word choice,” he says with a faint smile. She gestures to him subtly, and he takes a seat next to her and sets the towel down over the back of the chair. “It’s a bit strange. Drakensouls normally pick up the native tongue of the host almost instantly. But Samarina doesn’t?”

“Nothing about this is normal Nick. Prior to last week, we were run-of-the-mill teens,” she answers flatly. She glances over his shoulder–Julia and Drenar had disappeared upstairs, James and Evan are over by the living room, talking quietly about–dragons, it seems like, and James sounds like he wants to learn more. The bestiary is open and they’re looking at it with interest. At least it’s getting active use, and more than just as an inspiration for her art sketches. “Did you know any other drakensouls before this?”

He shakes his head. “Nah. I knew a bunch of other Kin though." She looks at him oddly. “Kin–uh, a mage word for all people. Dragons, humans, everyone. I keep forgetting you guys don’t know this stuff yet, and that bothers me.”

“We’re not clueless, Nick. Just uninformed,” she rebuffs lightly. He runs his fingers through his hair with one hand, fingers tapping the table with the other.

“I wasn’t saying you were. I was thinking about something else. The reason why none of you had any forward warning, and it’s something I keep thinking about.” Even Nick has doubts sometimes, Angela realizes with mild surprise. “Ah, I’m sure there’s good reasons. Mages pop up in non-mage families all the time. Even drakensouls. It just doesn’t happen that often, you know? Anyway, how are you holding up, personally?”

She stretches lightly. “I’m alright. I think. Nothings’ as scary as a needle or surgery in a hospital though,” she says as a half-joke. He’s not laughing though, and he’s looking at her quietly, hazel eyes flickering with interest. Oh damn it, way to not deflect the guy who’s my grandfathers’ age and probably knows something is amiss! Samarina, we need to hide our thoughts better!

Vey. Her sharp, one-word answer lays that out perfectly clear. “A-anyway, tell me more about what it’s like to be behind this veil of the world that mages wrap themselves in. What I’ve seen has to be just the tip of the iceberg.”

He lets out a long, calm breath, with just the hint of a smile. “Well, I can tell you. Not all of it is this daring, pulpy action and danger. Mage life still can be pretty vanilla. For most of us, anyway. It’s not all glitzy and glamorous. Though…one of these days, you’ll have to see the places I’ve been. There are secrets and wonders worth protecting in this world, and I'd very much like to keep them in one piece. With humanity bulldozing the planet though…I don't know. That gets brought up on occasion. Magical ecosystems are resilient, but how much is it going to take before we're talking about species disappearing overnight and forests turning into grasslands, or worse?”

She smiles lightly. “You really do sound like one with nature, you know that? I guess this life or mage life, some things stay constant for the mighty dragon ranger.” He responds by chuckling softly.

“Ah, believe me, there's some stuff that I've seen and been part of that should stay partitioned behind that proverbial curtain. I've been an agent of SAF for a long time, and…some of that service history wasn't as boring as the rest of it. Soldiers don't lead normal lives.” If he's trying to hint to her that he is damaged goods, it's a subtle one. “Alright, what's really bothering you? I'm surprised you're not wrapped around Drenar right now, trying to dissuade him from pushing himself too hard.”

“It's…something to do with it.” She finally takes the plunge. She can't stew on feelings forever. “We uh…well, there's a little thing between us, but we have to really talk about it, ever since dragons entered the conversation. He won't talk about it, and I think he's more worried about all of us collectively. And I haven't had the uh…bravery to bring it up again, either. So it's in limbo.” Nick listens along, and gently. “Pretty sure Samarina has some opinions about it.”

Vey. Calis’te, Drenar vial solla. She takes another deep breath and tries to relay the words as best as she can back to Nick. He looks surprised. “So, what did she say?”

“That his heart is still waiting for someone. That's gotta be the most cryptic thing I’ve heard in a while. Then again, I'm not one to second guess an ancient dragon who spent several hundred years away from the world.” They both glance towards the stairs, where Drenar and Julia had headed up earlier. “From what I know of those two, and from you…they're close. Super close. But not like, romantically?”

“They're both scarred, Nick. Their souls still haven't healed from what happened. Sorry if that sounded a little whimsical–” she starts to say, but he nods thoughtfully.

“I don't think I like dredging up bad topics, but…I presume it was bad for Drenar?”

“Beyond bad. It took me, James and others a long time, just to bring them back to this,” she says quietly. Almost by instinct, James looks her way briefly. People said that there wasn't really anything connecting fraternal twins, and he joked about being the bigger brother. He was merely born five minutes before her. But, sometimes, she wondered if there truly was something to the mysticism that surrounded it.

Especially with magic now a thing that is going to be in her life now. “I get this feeling that we're all going to be hanging out for the foreseeable future. I can tell you more. Maybe, you can get to know them better, ya know? Maybe you work up the courage to ask him yourself?”

He sighs softly while rubbing at an old scar on his arm. “Maybe. What about you though? You think you guys will work out?”

“I…don't actually know.” That lingering doubt is being drowned out by too many other things, including the creaking feeling in her spine. Was her Awakening getting close? Samarina has been talking to her regularly for a few hours now. “I do care about him. He is a great friend, when he isn't being a sardonic twit and risking his life.” Nick laughs a little too loudly at this, and James peers at him suspiciously again. “Plus, dragons. It's a girl's dream come to life!”

“So should I be wary if you break out your sketch tablet?” He asks with a raised eyebrow. She sits up and smiles lightly.

“You know what? You just gave me a great idea, Nick. I want to learn draconic, and get familiar with dragons, something I can focus on. You can provide both.”

She doesn't think she's ever seen Nick blush when she says that, and he tries a few half-formed words. “W-Well, I mean, um…Draconic, yes. No to…risque poses.”

“Your clothes do transform with you, don't they?” She asks slyly before grabbing her tablet out of her bag, and motions to the kitchen door to the backyard. “C’mon, don't be a square! You might accidentally have a good time!”

“Said no girl who has an obsession with dragons, ever,” he says with a defeated sigh, but still has that warm expression as they head outside.