- Whisperpeak Academy for Wayward Dragons - Ch.16 P.2 - Dying Tears -

Instructions

(+)Alex hopped off the side of the wall and strode over to us. The previous chaos was nowhere to be seen. "Gruetzi.... Visitors. Or... Shall I call you all newcomers? That sounds more fitting. I trust you all would like a comfy place to lay down?" The man shrugged dismissively, finally closing his bag. "Well... We don't need much babying. The effect of the labs wore off swiftly." His remark carved a nasty look on Aisha's face. "'We don't need much babying' my behind!" She turned to Alex apologetically. "Excuse him, he has no clue how invitations work. I do! I'm sure you have glamorous housing arrangements developed as such a large and advanced community. . ." Her voice got faint and dreamy, as if sketching the possible mansions waiting behind the canal. Alex found himself stuck in front of her and all her delusional aura until Shortie laughed awkwardly and interrupted, "Well, I suppose we should get to know each other while we are on our way, right?" She popped some mint gum and grinned. Alex followed closely behind, everyone else melting into a small line behind them. "Well, my name is Rachel Short, known here as Shortie. I hack through poetry, and am the one behind all the security features, networks, and optimizations that keep our place technologically intact!" She glanced at Alex. "I'm Alexander. It's alright to call me Alex. I lead around here. That's about it. Our other friend, John-" "I build stuff. It's pretty useful for the Resistance's various errands." John's gaze flitted up to study the new trio. "Stop underrating your own feats." Alex chided, adding, "He basically gets us through all of Skygale's regions." The new man's thin eyebrows slightly raised- the closest thing to any emotion so far. "Okay guys, almost there!" Shortie studied her tablet as she weaved through the obstacles of her own defenses. "Really, don't prepare yourself for anything marvelous. It's just a settlement, with a long underground stream." Alex sheepishly warned, though the look on Aisha's face proved she wasn't convinced. Gosh, wait till she saw the scrap-based apartments and thin, disheveled sidewalks. We turned the last final corners and the dank, moist tunnel opened into an explosion of movement and cold colors. "Ooh! Dynamic LED lighting fixtures... It must've cost a lot to make these!" Aisha flourished excitedly at a thick, glowing stem. "Fleece, look! It's a huge fountain system! You could pray here- there's even some koi you could bond with-" Aisha grabbed Fleece's hand, sending his soft robes swirling, and dragged him to the stone path traversed by hundreds per day. "Fleece..." Oliver whispered, and I giggled. Weird names for weird people. A few more minutes of walking and we made it to the Resistance center. Aisha had rightfully quieted down once she saw the mediocre townhouses, while the rainbow girl stayed thoroughly amused. "Here is the center of this whole establishment! The three of us live here, but you'll be staying as well until you can get settled and shown around properly." Alex brought them to the guest rooms we had stayed in when we first came, bed sheets newly cleaned and drawers rid of everything. This would be more their speed for sure. "John will make you all a nice dinner, since I'm sure you're all starving, and then you can get cozy." Shortie looked at me and asked, "You guys already had dinner?" "Yeah...." "Well then- that concludes the welcome! Thanks for joining us." After dinner, the group parted to do their separate activities, so that it was just the new arrivals and me. "So... Where'd you guys come from? Since you were important enough to be kidnapped for your power, I assume-" The rainbow girl turned around from a decorative painting and beamed. "We are three of the almighty winds~ pretty cool if I say so myself. We manage like gods, defend like soldiers, and act like national guards!" "Expand your vocabulary, the excitable similes are getting annoying." Fleece snapped over his shoulder, having already peeled open a book. Aisha looked mildly flustered, murmuring in a tone that grew increasingly high-pitched, "Are you sure we should just blurt that wherever we go?" My eyes widened. I'd(+)