Numbered and Factions

Chapter 3

 A few moments pass, feeling like ages as the small group exchanges awkward glances. A slight breeze and a growing shadow pour from the broken sunroof. Anbu looks up, signing to the others,

"There she is,"

"Took her long enough," Piper stands, expecting to be messed with.

The dragon lands behind Anbu, looking at them for a second confused. Anbu just waves slightly, the dragon looks over at Harmoninea and Piper with a snort.

"Taken care of..don't put up... A good fight. Disappointing." The dragon licks her lips, sitting up with wings folded back.

"Well, did you sneak up on him?" Piper teases, leaning forwards.

"No.. walked right in.. and he just.. Accepted it.."

"Maybe he knew not to mess with the giant dragon," Harmoninea replies, stretching her wings out slightly.

"Anyways, Alei. We're going to head back to FoxFire and get off your scales for a while." Piper smiles,

"Fine by..me." Alei shifts her wings,

"Great, we'll be off then. See you next time" Harmoninea stands, taking Piper and Anbu's hands.

Alei nods, trodding away to the back of the mall, taking a second to knock Piper forward with her tail. Piper stumbles and laughs in response. Harmoninea teleports the three back to FoxFire.

                                                                                            ***

I split off, Spark takes Liv to his dorm for the time being. I decide to patrol and make sure everything is as it should be, wandering the halls looking like I know what I'm doing. I pass by the infirmary, looking in for a second. Lavender, our medic, is holding someone down on the cot. She looks up and motions me in, her voice is calm despite the situation,

"I need a second set of hands really quick... Someone got into a stimulant of some sort. And is trying to get me on the floor," she keeps an arm across the individual's back. Her patient is on the taller skinny end, a cattail flails from under their shirt. I summon a set of restraints made of shadow, solidifying them for the time being.

"You seem awfully calm about this Lav," I state, taking her place on top of the patient.

"They really have not put up much of a fight but I can't sedate or help them if they're jumping all around in here." Lavender takes a needle and vial from a refrigerator, sticking the person's arm. They whine, falling limp in a few seconds.

"I found a way to make them more potent while making them safer.. Cari helped with it some." She lays the person out, making sure they weren't about to jump up.

"Since when could the centaur do medical things?"

"He knows more than negotiation Pixy, he's quite smart"

I dispearce the restraints with a snap, Lav seems calm.

"When do you think we'll have those two back, it's been a while" she sighs, her wing lays across my back.

"I don't know, hopefully they'll bring something that'll further our side of the fight"

"I hope so, I still want to go back home. I miss my parents."

"I understand Lav, the convention is coming up. Maybe you'll get to see them there"

"Hopefully," She buries her head on my shoulder, her lavender wolf ears fold back.

I can only offer a side hug, Lav seems to sink into my shoulder. There's the sound of approaching hooves, the door opens a bit wider to fit a large horse frame. Cari, our ambassador and local centaur, stands in the doorway.

"Ah there's our steed" I joke, looking at him.

"Joking as always Pixy," He smiles slightly, clicking a hoof on the ground. Lav takes herself off me fully, looking at the centaur with a smile.

"I have some good news," He repositions himself,

"The wall's being taken down and we all get to go home?" Lav jokes,

"No, I wish. But the news is that Piper and Harmoninea are back. All the Elites are needed in Cerbi's office for a briefing"

"Best not keep the hellhound waiting then" I step towards Cari, elbowing his front leg slightly. Lav joins me in leaving, Cari follows from behind.