Jylat - Starting Over

[Yolanda Riona]

I remained in a silent solace of thought as Links pondered. Something told me that he needed it. What I said was a lot to swallow, after all. Even with that air of wisdom emitting from him. When he finally spoke, I was a little stupefied how similar of a tale he had to tell. I hadn't been lying when I had mentioned my ill knowledge of this strength, this power... Now, this curse upon me. I had never met anyone like me face to face in my lifetime until now. I'd had a feeling they were out there. That inkling came from Sonic and his friends. But they were outside my bubbled world, completely out of touch and alien to me.

Although his explanation was brief at best, it cracked open a threshold that I'd otherwise never understood before. My mind became hungry for this counsel and that hefty weight of death became obsolete, if only temporarily. Long unanswered questions kind of do that to you, I guess. They did that to me at any rate. I was so entangled in my contemplation, I almost didn't catch his question.

Instantly, the cogs in my head stopped their vicious turning and I peered back at him.

"In Capitol. We were making our escape."

It wasn't a pretty sight.

And it was the truth, right? Well, I supposed only a half truth. I had a feeling that Alindel would get short with me again if I mentioned that I'd risked my tail without so much as a game plan to attempt a search and rescue with a ragtag team I'd just met at the festival. And that was after already dodging the first bullet and reaching the haven of Station Square, with a GUN escort no less.

"...Why?"

[Links Tyrell]

Links rose an eyebrow and remained silent for a few more moments. "That creates a few more questions although I may have some answer for you in time."

He looks round at Alindel again, the feline having waved at him to catch his attention. "Links my dear, you certainly get excited when there's a mystery involving magic around don't you?"

"I don't get excited at all," replied Links with a flat tone, "I'm simply trying to help."

"Yes of course...but I would say that talking about such matters in the middle of a park is not the best choice of locations. How about we find somewhere indoors where's its warmer and I'll rustle up a warm apple tea. Say Jodie deary, where do you live at the moment? We'll walk you home and if you like we'll stay and Links can try figuring this out for you?"

[Yolanda Riona]

[Yay for fleshing things out~]

I flipped the idea around in my head. They weren't bad company. Probably the best I'd had in two weeks, to be truthful. Most everyone else I'd been with had been so absorbed in wallowing or overeager to help me in any way they could. I knew they meant well, but it didn't stop me from tiring of it quickly. Every fidgety peek in my direction made me feel like I was going to drop dead any second. Maybe that wasn't far off from the truth, but even so. And then the doctor! Ecstatic wasn't even close to the right word for how relieved I'd felt to leave that forsaken hospital!

"It's not far," I voiced finally, "I dunno if you'll be able to stay. It's not my place to say, but then I doubt they'd mind."

As I gave them directions and we started off, I felt a guilty conscience sweep over me.

_________________________________

Being the small town Jylat was, it didn't take us long to reach our destination. The Kadins' house wasn't exactly what I'd call quaint. Far from it, in fact. The almost mansion-sized, two story, stone home now loomed over us, settled on a clean cut hill of grass under a beam of warm sunshine that broke through the crowded mountains. An orderly line of crabapple trees several feet apart followed the public sidewalk and ended at the path where carefully trimmed flower bushes continued the ensemble. When these ended, a garden started on both sides, flattered by exotic plants, half of which I'd never seen before coming here. These were corralled by a stained oak wood fence. Another fence reined in the acre property, ruptured only by the long driveway that led up to the attached, three car garage.

Least to say, the Kadins were filthy rich.

It was only as we turned onto the sidewalk that the front screen door swung open. A dark blue komodo dragon sprinted up to meet us. I groaned to myself. I had hoped that we would have at least reached the entrance hall. Not putting on a soap opera out in public eye.

"Jocie, where've you been? I thought I told you to stick in the house, ya damned dingbat!"

The usual disbelieving, angry-yet-relieved rally of words sputtered from his mouth and it took all effort not to feel guilty or otherwise become annoyed and retaliate. By that time, another dragon had walked out to meet us, his scales a pale hint of the alluring gold they used to be. His eyes were sunken, their irises a faded, warm orange that now traced over both of us.

"Now, Dromar. Is that really necessary? We should just be glad the little lady's back. Now, Jocelyne, who are these friends of yours?"

[Links Tyrell]

Links remained silent, not showing an visible sign that the scene had affected him. Alindel pulled a very mild scowl for a moment before turning it into a smile. She had been admiring the flowers and plant life in the garden a moment before, Alindel having a penchant for gardening.

"My name is Alindel Lorien, this is my fiancee Links," Alindel spoke softly and cast a small gesture towards Links as she spoke. The fox hybrid gave a small courteous nod as he was named but otherwise remained silent. "We bumped into Jodie in the park and accompanied her back here. I hate to be a burden on you as we've just met...but may we come inside? We believe we may be able to help her."

[Yolanda Riona]

I watched as the gold dragon's mouth formed into a small "o".

"Sure, you can! But I first must ask. Tyrell, right? Jonathan's son?"

In such a small village, I wasn't surprised to hear his recognition. If anything, it just helped occupy Dromar's attention. His prior, out-of-character fury over my disappearance faded into curiosity.

"You know him, pops?"

"Yes, yes. I used to see chit chat with him on the rare occasion. Funny fellow. Good times."

He paused only briefly, his gaze drifting among us before he finally pounded a lightly into the palm of his left hand.

"But anyway, right. I haven't introduced myself. Crosis' the name. My son, Dromar. And his adopted daughter here you know already. In fact, I should thank you for finding her so soon. Gods knows my wife was having a cataclysmic fit 'soon as she found Jod here went missing."

[Links Tyrell]

Jylat was indeed a small place but Links tended to keep himself to himself at the best of times and wasn't one to mingle with people. This covered his parents and those they knew as well, in recent years he had only really been comfortable around Alindel.

Even so he seemed to give a small smile at the mention of his father and nodded silently in response. "That would be me, I see my old man has been talking again."

Links fell silent again although it was doubtful he was even heard over Alindel's fussing. "Oh no problem at all, don't worry about it. We were just doing what we thought was right. So you know Links' father? That's nice isn't it, I'll have to go and visit him myself sometime this week. Well how about we head inside, it get's a little chilly out here after a while doesn't it?"

[Yolanda Riona]

"Yes, yes. Vaguely, but yes. Oh, sure. Sure. Let's. Dromar, if you'd take the little lady?"

Dromar responded with a grunt and I swallowed hard. For how long I had known him, the komodo dragon had taken on an entirely different persona than I was accustomed to since the day I'd woken up. It wasn't as if I'd never seen this side before but not for this length of time. I shuffled in the seat of my chair, my body feeling stiff again already. The Kadin's house never looked more inviting if it meant I could finally get off this rickety piece of junk. With only a polite nod, Dromar took over, wheeling me up the sidewalk as Crosis continued to chat it up with the newest guests.

"Do you like our newest addition? My wife saw those beautiful Camelot Crabapple trees and she just couldn't say no! Our landscapers did such a splendid job, too! Don't you love them?"

I spaced out as Crosis chattered on. I was used to this, moreso when it had anything to do with gardening. He'd get over it once we were inside. And just as I thought that, there we were, headed through the tall front door. You didn't really notice how high it was until you reached it. But that was no surprise, given how tall Dromar's father was. He put his son's height to shame, being at least a head over Links. The inside was arguably more impressive than the outside itself. White walls, high ceilings that seemed to stretch to the stars with antique chandeliers, their candles burning a warm pumpkin spice incense were the first noticeable features. Past that was the gigantic television that spanned the south wall of the family room with a big, L-shaped leather couch and chair circling a glass coffee table. They could also see an old grand piano, but it ended at the wall dividing the room from the entry hallway. A staircase with soft, beige carpet was just steps away from the front door and this carpet also continued to the family room. To their left, a sweet, potent smell was wafting in, but the display of eight hand carved chairs around an artisan's table on marble tile made it obvious that it was the dining room. Pots of flowers were arranged wherever possible, making the house feel welcoming and even homely despite its size. I still wasn't used to it, and I don't think I ever would be.

"Oh, Esmeralda! Come, come! Jodie's here and we have guests!"

Before I could even blink, a rich green dragon wearing a long flowery, summer dress popped her head around the corner of the dining room. She smiled like she had been trained to do it all her life: a formal, rich smile of someone whose only worry in life was not to let the world see her flaws. This was brief though, as warmth slowly pooled in, seeing--in her eyes--the young couple of Links and Alindel.

"Oh, come in! Come in! How do you do?"

[Links Tyrell]

"Oh they're marvellous! Do you garden a lot yourself? My I could have a field day in this place, puts my small patch to shame...not to say its meagre but I wouldn't mind something a little larger."

Alindel was enjoying herself, it wasn't often she got to talk about gardening with others. As she stepped over the threshold though she stopped and looked around. For a moment she was simply stunned by the scale, yet again it put her own home to shame, although she was quite happy with her own abode.

Links followed behind, still silent but seemingly curious about the house due to the number of glances and looks he was giving. As Esmeralda stepped into the room both he and Alindel turned to look. Links closed his eyes and gave a small nod in acknowledgement, Alindel stepping forwards and offering her hand to shake.

"Very well, thank you for asking. Goodness, you're home is amazing..." Alindel stopped herself mid sentence and blushed slightly. "Sorry, I just got a little over excited. I'm Alindel and this is my fiancée Links. We met Jodie in the park and brought her back."

[Yolanda Riona]

[It's a long one, but I hope it humors you. ;D]

I watched almost with pity as Esmeralda took the feline's hand briskly with both of her own. A careful touch barely hinted in her sudden gesture, the komodo dragon's claws just caressing through Alindel's fur without touching the skin. The handshake itself wasn't as gentle, rough and strong, perhaps almost toppling Links' poor fiancée over if she wasn't wary. Despite the subtle wrinkles accenting her delighted smile, I long since knew in my time there that although she bore the wisdom of the old, she also held the sharp resolve of a young dragon. I hated to think of what she'd have to say to me when I found her alone later.

"Why thank you, deary! Miss Alindel! Or do you prefer Ms.? Oh, haha! Gracious! Finding the little one at the park all by her lonesome self! Well, I'm grateful that you saw to her return! We were all very worried, scuttling about like fish out of water, weren't we?"

Dromar looked down. I must have done a better job sneaking out than I'd first thought. I was sure they would have found out within minutes. As I watched the conversation continue to roll, Esmeralda flicked a violet eye my way and I could have sworn I heard a light, short hissing sound. I swallowed hard.

"But, my, my. I've yet to introduce myself, although I'm sure you've already heard so much about me already. Crosis just can't stop talking about me sometimes. It's flattering. Just a little tiring. I'd like just for once to tell someone everything about myself for once. But, yes, yes. I am Esmeralda. Or the Great Esmeralda de'Flaunte. That was my show name. Look it up sometime. I never lie! At least not to my wonderful guests who've even the slightest chance to bask in my brilliance! Ah, but this is not about me. This is about you. You, risking your lives for my poor, sweet, foster granddaughter! Oh, how should I repay you?"

Esmeralda suddenly placed a hand to her forehead, palm facing outward. I refrained from smacking my own.

[Links Tyrell]

[Brilliant! XD]

Having almost had her hand renched off by the handshake Alindel was feeling a little dizzy as Esmeralda went off on her own rant. Her cheeks flushed bright red as she finished, the feline both a little overwhelmed and hesitant about how to respond. The dragoness seemed to mean well although she was certainly energetic with her introduction.

"Y-you're welcome. It was nothing, really! Just doing what we thought was right and...um..." Alindel trailed off a little and gave a hesitent grin, "It was nothing, you don't need to repay us...actually we thought we might be able to help with her...um...condition? Links why don't you...?"

Alindel turned to look over her shoulder at Links. The fox was standing still behind her, leaning on his staff with both hands, with his eyes closed. As he heard Alindel address him he opened them slowly, "Yes my dear?"

Alindel didn't respond at once, instead she just pulled a slight face and pointed at his arm. Links looked down, ever shifting lines of dark blue clearly visible below his fur. Links gave a small nod and looked back up, "Don't mind that, the air in here is very pleasant. I'm just taking a moment to recharge, old age is certainly calming but it can be a little tiring."