Cloud Association: Pretty Boy Psycho

Sunshine

Last year's field agent squad hang round Master Hugo's shed, watching expectantly for who emerges from the trees.

"Corey!" whoops Ashley as she runs across the battle arena to meet me. "I knew you'd make it as an agent."

"You did?" Geordie stares at me in shock for getting an embrace off the most popular girl in Cloud High.

Ashley rolls her eyes onto her comrades.

Master Hugo coughs and holds out his hands. "My winnings if you please."

Winnings? Dede and Pepper dig deep into their pockets. They pull out money pouches which they toss to Ashley and Master Hugo.

"You betted on me?" I wail.

"On you being chosen." Master Hugo counts the coins in the pouch. Satisfied they're all there he pockets them.

"On me being chosen for field work. But I thought you'd given up on me on account of I'm too weak."

Before I can go on Master Hugo holds up a hand. "Corey, I think we need to take a walk. Girls entertain our new recruits."

Today is full of surprises. Master Hugo walks with me to his shed. This is so awkward. I've no idea why he'd have enough faith to bet a wager in favour of me.

"Those defence lessons weren't me giving up. They were the opposite. Ever since you told me you wanted to give relief to those in Lundune I've been drilling defence stances into you."

"But why? I said I wanted relief."

"Because giving people relief in Lundune is field work. You wanted to be a field agent without realising. Did you really think our relief workers wandered away from their offices to help those outside Cloud Association? You're a field agent Corey West. Not the regular kind but an agent all the same."

"Every eventuality."

"Exactly. Can't pick your role but can pick what you do with the role you have been assigned. Turn your orders into opportunities. I reckon you're less weak than you know. Pep talk over. Go enjoy your morning."

"I thought we had lots to do today."

"Lots of celebrating. Getting acquainted with your partners." Master Hugo nods his head at Grey before disappearing inside his shed.

Celebrate. Super.

I want to join my friends but Grey is keen to be petted. Has taken to headbutting me in the chest. In response I pat his beak. Grey shakes his head as he lowers a wing as though inviting me to get on.

"You should know I'm a terrible solo flier."

Insistent Grey headbutts my chest then nips my shirt with his beak. Pulls me over. Grey maybe smaller than the other griffons but has a strong pull and is still plenty big enough for me to ride.

"Greeey!" I scream in distress as he forces me onto his back and bursts into a sprint leaving me no time to get off.

Master Hugo pokes his head out his shed window as Grey takes off. "Oh gosh no, please come back," says Master Hugo in the flattest of tones then closes the window shutters. No help there.

"Geordie help!" I think I'm shrieking. I've never been off the ground by myself before.

"Hold tight. Don't look down," Geordie calls after me as I disappear into the clouds.

I wrap my arms round Grey's neck, squeezing extra tight, making Grey squeal in distress. I'm too scared to loosen up. Grey shifts about as he tries to keep balanced while bearing a challenging rider. Keeps flying through these dark clouds. Wobbles about but with purpose. Tries to up his speed which is difficult thanks to me. I give off fresh shrieks as he swerves to the right and goes back the way we came however gains a few more meters height. It's as though he's chasing something. Are there mice in the barrier? My grip gets ever tighter on this rough ride.