The Interview, Part III (Conclusion)

Posted on Tue Aug 29th, 2023 @ 12:41pm by Head Mistress Absynthe "Syn" Drake & First Lieutenant Bethany Harrison & Jaclyn Morrison & Carter McMillian & Unawakened Kai Irving

Mission: Drake Academy
Location: Drake Academy
Timeline: Present Day

Bethany watched the exchange and a small smile touched her lips. Three years ago, she had no idea what Star Trek even was. She was still no expert, but Jon had tried to help her learn about the world outside the commune, and movies and television were part of the pop culture training.

When Kai spoke to her, she shrugged. “The problem with a lot of aliens out there, is that they can pass for humans. And now, with meta-humans running around more openly, it’s kind of hard to say at a glance.” She glanced at the mirror and gave a mischievous grin as she said, “But I do think that the esteemed headmistress is half alien, at least.”

Kai’s eyes widened at that and she looked towards the mirror.

“Well she definitely has a large presence.” Jaclyn said softly. She barely remembered the woman’s arrival at the site of her own awakening but what she did remember was that it was spectacular.

Bethany smiled and nodded. “For someone so tiny, you have no idea just how large she can actually be,” she said with a chuckle. “I’m sure you’ll get to see that eventually, though.”

Suddenly there was a small wisp of reddish smoke at the center of the table, and when the oddly colored smoke cleared, there was a small golden Loong dragon, coiled up, its head resting on sparkling scales. “Or how small,” a matching voice responded. As she uncoiled, she stretched and continued, “I’m trying not to give the poor girls a heart attack so soon, but something tells me that Kai will just keep following me around to see if I really am an alien now. So, what do you think?”

Kai’s eyes were wider now and sparkling. “WOW SO COOL!” she gasped out staring in delight.

Jac merely smiled as she studied the small dragon. “Kai is correct, very cool” She said, though she was internally puzzling, as her eyes were not focusing properly to her mind. The image of the dragon was distorted. Flickering. Was what she was seeing there?

“It’s just an illusion right now, just to show you, though Bethany is right. The actual form is far larger,” the diminutive dragon lady explained. “It would destroy a couple of rooms and make things really uncomfortable if I did that in here. But, should you decide to stay, I’ll show you the real thing once you’re a bit more settled and comfortable. Is that acceptable?”

Kai nodded eagerly. She adapted to this very easily, which was just part of her. She had to keep looking forward. “Oh yes,” she said brightly.

Jaclyn blinked again, and was curious about why her eyes were playing up. She would ask to see someone about it before it got worse. Jac glanced at Kai, it was clear to her that Kai would be very happy and safe here. She would be very well taken care of. “When.. when do you need to know if we are staying?” she asked softly.

The tiny dragon looked over at Jaclyn, cocking its little head to the side, her odd red-reptilian eyes studying her for a moment. “There is no time limit. You are both welcome to stay here as long as you like. As a matter of fact, I’d prefer that. And there is nothing wrong with your eyes, young one. It’s a minor illusion. Your enhanced force of will makes it difficult for you to see it clearly. Bethany has similar issues with these small illusions. I have to work extra hard for you to be able to see it properly, and I’m not trying to bypass anyone’s will.”

“Enhanced force of will?” Jac asked curiously. “What do you mean? I do not understand,”

“When you were in a panic after arriving here, and we spoke, in the green meadow? I drew that image from your mind as a calming thought, but it took a lot of work to get past that...mental toughness. Only, I believe that mental toughness is one of your latent meta-abilities. It takes a lot to get into your head. This illusion basically dances on the forefront of thought, a minor flight of fancy, as it were. Nothing too powerful, so you’re resistant to it.”

Bethany nodded and shrugged. “Don’t let her kid you though, if she wants in your head, she’ll get in there. She’s just not the type that likes having to. She also just reads people really well, normally. But, she is kind of a dragon, so her senses are far better than most people’s.”

Jaclyn listened to both of them, absorbing the information. “Okay... I didn’t think I would have more than that technopathy stuff.” She looked down at her hands. She really needed to get gloves to cover her hands. She tilted her head “By Dragon you mean the fact that she uses that illusion right?”

Again, Bethany chuckled, then cleared her throat when the little golden dragon’s head whipped around and shot her an icy glance. “No. Her normal form is a tiny Asian woman with red-reptilian eyes. She has a dragon-like form, though. Like this, only much, much bigger. That’s the alien part of the equation. Trust me, I didn’t know how to take it when I first found out, either. I mean, she goes from miniature human to gigantic lizard thing, breathing fire... The whole dragon bit.”

Kai’s reaction was a gasp of delight. It was clear that Syn had grown to immense heights in the younger girl’s eyes regardless of the size she currently was. She definitely was sticking around if allowed. She was staring with delight at the tiny dragon.

Jac considered it and with her foggy memories, she figured that was what she had seen while in such pain. “Okay that makes sense.” she said, though they all knew it was not very normal.

“Miniature human,” Syn said, managing to look slightly offended, absently trying to straighten robes that weren’t actually there. “I’m short, but I’m not a miniature human.”

The headmistress looked back to Jaclyn and nodded. “I don’t like using that form unless I absolutely have to, which is why I’ve studied martial and mystical arts all of these ages. But I preferred to take those rounds to my tough hide, rather than let them get to you.”

“Thank you for that, and for rescuing us, I know I have not said that,” Jaclyn said softly. “I do appreciate it.”

Bethany gave a small grin and sat back, watching Syn act a bit more human than she could present herself normally. Once in a while she had to be prodded into being a bit socially awkward and more relatable. She got it. She really did. Working closely with Dyami had given her an understanding of working with ancient beings. Syn was beyond old, and had lived many different lives, so she seemed regal and aloof far too often, no matter how friendly she was. Besides, it was fun to pick on a penultimately powerful being and not get smited for it.

“You’ve been through some very ugly things lately, so I understand. You’re welcome, though you don’t owe me any thanks. This is what my team is meant for, what we do. We’re out to help and save as many of us as we can, whether meta, or loved ones, or allies,” Syn said, giving a toothy, yet gentle seeming smile. “I hate that we can’t save everyone, but we gladly fight to save those that we can.”

Jaclyn nodded. “With people out there like that cult, it would be hard to save everyone.”

“It is,” Syn said, then bowed to the girls. “I’ve been enough of a distraction. I’m sure that you would like to get this interview over with.”

“Actually, I think I have what I need,” Bethany said, shaking her head. “They’ve given me some details to work with, so we don’t need to drag this out any further. I’m pretty sure they could use some time to not have to think about that place and what happened there. I know I did. There are better things to focus their energies on. If I need anything else, I know where they are for now. If either of you think of anything else, just have Miss Syn contact me.”

"Of course," Jaclyn said softly. "I do hope you find the rest of them, Bethany."

Carter watched the interview from the other side of the mirror. He hoped that they chose to stay here. He would love to get to know Jaclyn better.

The young Marshal stood and stretched a bit, taking another couple of grapes and a sip of her water. Then she looked at Jaclyn, saying, “We’ll do our best.” Beth knew that there was little chance of putting these traffickers down any time soon, but she wouldn’t rest until she made sure that it became a very unprofitable venture for them. “Oh, and my boss says that if you want to come to the ranch with us at any time, just let Miss Syn know. Honestly, I think you’d both benefit from staying here, at least for a while.”

Jaclyn nodded slowly. She was not very sure about it. But she would give it time before she made the call. And without a vehicle she was pretty much stumped. “We will keep that in mind.” Jaclyn said honestly.

“Well, I wish you luck, no matter what you decide,” Bethany said, then glanced towards the mirrored glass as the monitor went black and slid back into its space on the table, giving a nod. The young Marshal then turned and quietly made her way out of the meeting room.

Kai watched her go and then looked at Jac. “Shall we?”

“Yeah I need air,” Jaclyn said softly. “Let's go.” She pushed back her chair. She felt the sudden urge to see the sky.

The two girls followed Bethany from the room, and headed out to the rest of the school.

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FIN

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Absynthe "Syn" Drake
Wyrmwood
Headmistress, Drake Academy

Bethany Harrison
Fractal
Mutant Underground

Jaclyn Morrison
Awakened

Kai Irving
Unawakened

Carter McMillian
Free jack
Drake Academy