Hope dangled her feet in the water. She was really getting fond of the pier, apparently. It had become her go to place now.
She was really worried about the woman from her dream. Sure she was scared of her a bit, but wouldn't you be a little scared if you saw someone laughing deliriously, and acting like they knew you. But some part of Hope felt bad for the woman.
It was so clear that she had once been beautiful, and there was an intelligence behind her eyes. Something happened to her to make her that way. Something that wasn't her fault. But what?
And who was she in the first place? She didn't seem human. Nor did she seem like a monster. Was she a god perhaps?
Hope sighed. The only think all this thinking was doing was confusing her and hurting her brain. She leaned back on the pier and stared at the sky. She so wanted to fly.
Wait! Didn't she have wings in her other form? She pulled the dagger from the belt at her hip, marveling at the green gemstones on scabbard. She wrapped her hand around her dragon head hilt. Did she dare? Absolutely.
She unsheathed the dagger, seeing it's crystal blade for the first time. It was not a blade for fighting. It was a blade of magic. And that is why it is hers. Because only a magic blade could seal her power.
The change was instant and painless. For a moment she didn't notice the change, until her senses started to overload again. She wrinkled her nose, and focused using the technique Chiron had taught her to subdue her senses to a more workable level.
She turned her head and smiled. The wings were back. She stretched them out. They were much bigger than they looked. A few quick test flaps and soon she was in the air.
She laughed as she soared through the air. It was thrilling as she corkscrewed up as far as she could go, then lingered for a moment before tucking her wings in and falling almost crashing to the ground, but catching the air just right.
Her grin just got bigger and bigger as she skimmed the water and twirled in the air. It was fun. She soared high. She could even see the city. She smiled. There was nothing stopping her.
She looked down at the camp. A rebellious smile appeared on her face, and she left the camp behind for the city.
For a moment she wondered how people would react when they saw her. Then she remembered the mist, mortals would probably see something else.
She giggled and did loop the loops all over the city. But then she heard something interesting. She heard music. She followed it to an open air concert. In curiosity she landed and sheathed her dagger.
For a moment, she didn't know who was singing, but she slowly recognized the band and sang along with the crowds. She kinda sorta made 'friends'. But she didn't really know them and basically just hung out with them for the concert and accepted their drinks--and got drunk.

---

It was getting dark. Lacy scanned her eyes on the horizon. "Did anyone see her actually leave?" she asked.
The others shook their hands.
"Spread out," said Clarisse. "We'll find her--"
*Splash*
They turned to the lake . Hope was crawling out of the lake on all fours laughing insanely.
"Hope!" screamed out Lacy rushing to her aide immediately. Hope only continued to giggle. She was flushed red and singing way off key. "Can someone help me!" She cried out. "She's heavier than usual!" She tried to haul Hope up to her feet, but the other girl just fell right over, taking Lacy with her.
"Gross!" squealed Lacy, getting a blast of Hope's breath. "You smell like beer!"
Pollux flushed red with anger as he bent down to help Lacy. He couldn't believe Hope had gone and gotten drunk. For a moment he was angry, but he quickly realized he had no right to be, and only bowed his head in embarrassment.
"Where are we going to take her?" asked Malcolm. "We can't let the others see this!"
"My cabin," said Pollux. "I'm the only one in there."
For a moment, it seemed like they might resist, but they quickly dragged the drunken Hope to Pollux's cabin and dumped her on his bed.
"Don't do anything to her," called Conner tauntingly as they left for their own cabins.
"Shut up!" grumbled Pollux. He waited for Hope to fall asleep, then curled up on the sofa and went to sleep himself.

Notes

Tada! a new chapter! Less Sure about this one, more sure about the next one--read On!


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--Kim