Arcadia-Linas

As we approach the base of the mountain, Linas in full view, I pull the twins aside to fill them in on my plan.

"Lucas, Sarah... When we are in town, could you refer to me as Daniel Hedacher?"

Surprisingly Lucas responds first. "Why? Mom says your name is Donovan."

"Lets just say I have someone here I don't quite want to know who I am. I have this nifty trick up my sleeve... "

My scalp tingles as the hair on my head recedes, pulling itself in into my skull, arms itching as feathers creep out of my flesh.The twins stare in awe as my hands grow scaly and take on a mottled yellow coloration. My bones hollow out as muscle tissue grows lean and thin. I drop from about one hundred fifty pounds, down to about ninety-five. Though thinned out, My arms are strong enough and the feathers just as sturdy to achieve flight. I've done this before.

Sarah seems interested, letting out a soft, "Wow."

The ache starts to fill my body as I take it further, altering my features. My nose breaks, taking an odd bend as scar tissue forms across the bridge. My feet begin to constrict, I forgot to remove my shoes. I do so as talons form on my new raptor feet. Downy feathers sprout across my extremities, leaving my torso bare. Another scar forms across my left eye as it clouds over.  

The last thing is to rearrange my face. A few wrinkles, readjusted cheekbones, and a few missing teeth. I am now a male siren, past his prime. Oops. My feathers are too perfect, a few retract, while others fray. Now I am a proper battered old bird.

Sarah breaks the steadily building silence. "That. Was. AWESOME!"

"I know, right! Oh, wait..." Didn't change my voice. A small adjustment, and a wheezy old voice replaces my lively, snarky usual one. "Better?"

Lucas seems unimpressed. "Sure you look different, but do you really fear this person enough to put yourself through that? It looked like it hurt. A lot."

"Yes. I pissed someone off last time I was here."

Lucas questions me, "What did you do to earn this person's hatred?"

"I escaped."

Neither of the two ask anything else.

"If anybody questions why both of you are following an old man, tell 'em he was lost in the mountain. I can't fly on account of an old injury." To emphasize my point I shift my arm into a seemingly broken state. It looks as though it's healed improperly preventing flight. The dull ache of transformation is flaring up into that familiar agony that wracks my body upon drastic changes.

The twins acknowledge this in unison, "Okay mister Hedacher!"

"Such nice youngsters. Onward!" I limp off to the city proper, tucking my shoes in the backpack I was given for the trip.




Only a town guard questions us. We manage to pull off the act. Lucky for me the black symbols an my arm have since faded. They only seem to appear when Cally asserts her control.

"Why don't you two lead this old man to somewhere he can get a drink."

Lucas chimes in, abnormally cheery, "Alright mister!" They lead me to "Jake's". It's a small building, made of plaster, drywall, particle board, the works. Kind of reminds me of Bright's little tavern back in Manhattan.

Entering the bar I can already spot Vlithara's friend sitting on the stool at the left end of the counter, drinking some otherworldly draft. She never gave me his name, so I just dig into my pocket and slap the folded note down on the bar, sliding it to the slender man. Whip thin, pale skin, and no hair to speak of. His arm just stretches over to the note and pockets it.

Very softly he mutters a thanks. My business is done. Time to leave.




Back outside in the street I decide to head to the little pond on the outskirts of town, see if Svetlana is still hanging around. I don't know why, but some part of me wants to check up on her. But first things first. One final change today, I degrade my eardrums to barely functioning. No swaying song today.

The twins are arguing about something as we arrive. There she is, sitting on a rock that juts over the pond. She seems bored, not even singing. She spots me, jerking her head my way. "What are you doing here, old one?"

"Huh? Your gonna have to speak up lass. I can't hear ya!" I lied. I still have a little hearing.

"I said what are you doing here! Nobody comes this way. Who are the brats?"

Sarah pushes the sleeves of her sweat shirt up, stomping towards Lana's perch. "Who are you calling a brat you harpy?!"  

Lucas grabs her around the waist. "No Sarah, we don't want to fight!"
"Lemme go!"

A few powerful strokes of her arms and Lana lands in front of the twins. "Who the hell are you calling a harpy you little shit?!"

I casually step in front of her. "Leave the squirts alone. They have helped me greatly today, and I would appreciate it if you'd ignore them for now. What has your feathers so ruffled my dear?"

Lucas snickers at that.

The rage drops from her face. "I don't know how to explain... About a week ago I had a human I picked up from this very spot. A very perplexing individual. He had this adorable little habit of panicking one minute, then tossing a witty comment the next."

"Sounds like a confused little fella. Did he do something to you? I know I took a knife to the face when I first encountered a human. Savages the lot of 'em." I point to the scar on my face. "You never forget your first meeting. At least I never will." I am one hell of an actor.

"No, this one was... Well... Harmless. It was like he was scared of everything, yet feared nothing. I threatened to kill him more than once, and he shrugged it off."

"Where is he now?"

"He escaped. I searched for a few days, but I never found him. A lamia helped him escape. I fought with her until I noticed he was gone... Then I just gave up and fled, searching right then. I don't understand why, but I feel as though a piece of myself went missing."
"What would you do if you found the little ape again?"

Her pupils dilate, black filling her blue eyes. "I don't know... Part of me wants to kill him, rend his flesh from bone... Another part wants to talk to him... And yet another wishes to simply take him home and force him to see reason."

I snarl in disgust, spitting on the ground. "Don't tell me you fell for the monkey. He's not of your kind, the mere thought makes me shudder. Humans are manipulative, short lived, and violent. They will wheel and deal, screwing over anyone for a shot at survival. That's why they don't usually die within hours of arrival. Hell, I've heard stories of them living in the southern lands for years at a time by submitting themselves as toys to serve perverse owners in any way they wish. All for another month of life. I'm sorry young lady, humans just sicken me."

"They can be fun. They taste all right. I actually tasted him before I took him to my home, I was going to kill him there... But something about him made me think otherwise. Maybe it was the terror in his eyes as he defiantly made jokes? Also didn't help that killing humans is illegal around these parts. I don't know... Maybe everything will become clear when I find him again."

"Hmph. Well, good luck to you miss. I hope you opt for killing him." I limp back to town while the twins follow silently.




Back on the mountain path I decided to stay like this for awhile. About halfway home night had fallen. We set up camp in the same spot I did with Cally a bit over a week ago.

"Donovan?"

"Yes Sarah?"

"Are you gonna stay looking old and gross?"

"Nah, I suppose we're far enough away." A few grunts and I shift back to my old self. Rather than pain, I simply feel exhausted.




Dropping the twins off in pack territory I wave them and Vlithara goodbye, heading back home.


I get this worrisome sensation that I am being followed.


Turning around swiftly I spot a turtle staring at me.  

Laughing to myself I walk into town, whistling tunelessly. The morning fog casts a desolate feeling to the usually bustling township.

Approaching the door to Vermina's place I hear a soft thud. Looking up I see a set of piercing blue eyes.

"Liar."

Lana found my home.  




Found me.