A Vacation Among Friends

”Woe is me? No…woe is anyone who thinks they can even comprehend what I’ve been through. How old do you think I am Artemis?” I asked her, concealing my anger. I looked away and shook his head. ”I’m older than the Earth. This place you were raised on…the wolves that raised you. I’m older than their ancestors and then some. When I was born, Earth was a realm of total darkness, the only thing in existence was stars. Artemis…I am the Dragon King. The Alpha of all dragons, the Apex of the pack in the realm of Seppam, my home. Yet here I am on Earth…broken and beaten. This is not a “Woe is Me” moment, this is the accumulation of hundreds and thousands of CENTURIES coming to critical mass, the point of no return. Artemis…I want you to imagine this okay?” I said repositioning as I looked her in the eyes, trying to keep my anger in check. She didn’t know any better…sadly she and Salone had been the straw that broke the camels back.

     ”You’re father, the leader of your pack…of your family. He goes bat-crap crazy and just starts running around and killing members of your pack. You and your pack cast him out and then he runs around and dominates every other pack, comes back to your pack after he’s been cast out…and controls you as well. Then, he forces you to fight your mom to see who survives. After that he throws you out of the pack, like you did him. You spend twenty-thousand years. The sun rises and falls 7300000 times. Every day you are working to make yourself strong enough to taker you pack back. Then let’s say you meet Salone. You and her are the best of friends, sisters, packmates. You make your own pack, to need to go and kill off every member of your old pack. Your brothers and sisters cry out “Why Artemis?” as your teeth rake their throats, your tail impales them and they curse your name. You know that they don’t want to fight you…you know that your father, their pack leader has direct control over them…Kill all three-hundred siblings…and the only person you have at your side is Salone. Now…you kill your father…and you are crowned queen.
You are now the ruler of Earth, okay? You own this WHOLE thing, the seas, the sky and the soil. It’s all yours. Now lets say you fall in love…you find ONE mate that changes everything, you don’t feel the same. Every time he talks you can’t help but listen, when you don’t look at him for long you start to hurt. When you can’t feel him nearby…you feel…incomplete. Now lets say that this mate means so much to you…you’re willing to give up your ability to shapeshift…just to grow old and die with him. Salone tricks you…has someone kill him, the only thing that ever really meant anything to you. Salone has also told the people of Earth that you’re evil, and they believe her. Now imagine soaring as an eagle or a falcon over the seas, on your way to confront Salone and ask her why….and suddenly your wings are clipped….and you fall into the water. Salone takes your throne…and now she’s queen…and you’re left alone.
   Now you finally come back up onto land…many many sun cycles later. And you meet someone like your old mate…he makes you feel….so real…but e has this one friend…and he just won’t get off your case. He keeps making little comments about you being able to turn into an animal…and how he basically says you two should have puppies…and he just irritates you…We’ll name the annoying friend Jake….Jake just heckles you and heckles you and tries to get you uncomfortable. Now not only do you have annoying Jake to worry about, but Salone shows up and almost kills your new potential mate. SO this is twice now she’s taken a mate form you…and you can do NOTHING. Now find out that Jake…he’s stronger than you, and more easily harms Salone than you can. Jake…who came out of the middle of Hic-arse nowhere…and somehow he’s stronger than you…YOU…who saved Earth, who was forced to survive. To top things off…the potential mate you like now…gets possessed by the soul of the mate you once had….Now imagine you’re sitting on the beach…trying to get yourself settled in and come to terms with your failures…and Jake is sitting here JUDGING you saying you feel down on yourself.” I finished, I drew in a heavy annoyed breath and lay back in the sand. There was a moment of silence, the water by the sea began to swirl, and soon a large Maelstrom had formed, boats off the shore began to funnel in. I heard a faint whisper…it was Salone…No…I wouldn’t hear her now…I CHOOSE not to hear her now…

The point of Jake's speech was clear. He may of changed the names around but the point was there. "I never asked for your life story Jake." said Artemis calmly. "You could of used the real names. I may not be considered very smart because of my lack of knowledge but I am not an idiot. You don't know my story, you don't know the betrayals I have survived, now many losses I have lived through. You say you are older then earth and I believe you. Not because I have any real personal reason to believe you, because Salone does." She drew in the sand as she watched the Maelstrom in the lake. And seemly out of no where she turned and kissed Jake. She lingered for a few moments before standing up.

She turned to face Jake. She had a feeling she could identify this feeling now. It was the feeling of wanting, but not being able to have it. It killed her inside, it tore her up so much she wanted to kill. "I don't know what this feeling is called but I don't like it." said Artemis. She explained what she was feeling to him briefly, it didn't take very long. "Now that I know what this feeling is the only thing I can do is accept it. Dwelling on it does me no good. The wild doesn't allow for breaks to dwell on things. It only allows for you to consistently move forward. I was useless to my pack until I was able to shift. If I were to think about that or the mistakes I have made since then I would of once again been useless." Artemis' voice became cold and sharp, a tear running down her cheek. "Salone may wish to be with you... part of me does too. But if you stay like this you will be nothing but a hindrance to her. If you can't follow the laws of the world you created then you are useless and an idiot. So 'King of Dragons' if you can't stop dwelling on your mistakes I'll do you a favor and kill you right here and now." The second she finished she shifted into a wolf and lunged at Jake's throat.

That was when Salone spotted the cave; there was a noise of rushing water and a roar of some sort of beast.  Her heart practically stopped when she began to feel Jake fading from her mind. Dying? No! She began to run, entering deeper and deeper into the cave. In the dim light she was able to make out one body and she looked around for Artemis to see her crouched in the corner.

“What happened?” She asked, Salone’s voice held an odd quiver. Fear. Just at that moment dragons clamored around in her head causing Salone to whimper. Shaking off the many angry voices  She managed to get to him and fall to her knees next to Jake. That was when she put her hand in something sticky… blood. Salone let out a soft scream of horror before looking around at Artemis.

“Help me,” She pleaded before turning back to the fallen man before her. With the work of some half shifting Salone managed to get Jake out of the cave, the woman couldn’t remember if Artemis had helped. Then Salone called Penny, trying desperately to keep the panic out of her voice. It wasn’t working.

Within minutes Penny was there with the car. Then next few things that happened were a blur to her. Somehow, they got Jake and Artemis back to the house, lunch forgotten on the table. Penny managed to stop the bleeding and now Salone was sitting at his bedside, holding his hand. Talking to him constantly through the connection in the medallion; she was rambling not quite sure what she was saying. Salone talked about when she was little and her broken arm, seeing a dolphin for the first time, and surfing as a teenager.  She had it rooted in her mind that if she could still talk to him… Jake wouldn’t die.

While Salone was in Jake’s room Penny managed to calm Artemis down. Sitting her down on the couch, and wrapping her up in a blanket, Penny used her soothing voice and her calming skills to get her to relax.

“Artemis… easy…. Easy… I’m not going to hurt you, tell me what happened?”  
Penny handed her a water bottle. All of her attentions had been turned to Artemis as the doctor had done all that she could for Jake.

Artemis was trapped, not by anything psychical. She felt Jake in her mind. Trying to destroy her humanity. It was weird, what made her human was what separated her from humanity. He was trying to turn her into a animal when she already was. The result was her head hurting, a pain she was not used to. It was debilitating and it forced her to her hands and knees. Then it was gone. She collapsed to the ground, her head pounding. She just laid there for a bit, staring at Jake, who apparently impaled himself. By the time her head stopped hurting Salone had caught up with the two. She heard Salone ask what happened, but Artemis didn't speak.

However Salone's attention didn't stay on her long, once she noticed Jake she ran to him. It stung, especially when she said to help him. Artemis shifted back to a human form and forced herself up, going over to help Salone. But she seemed to be doing fine by herself. Artemis just followed behind the pair. She felt angry, she could finish it, right here, right now. Before Salone couldn't even't react Jake would be dead in her arms. But she couldn't there was still that part of her that liked Jake and the part the respected Salone. It put her on edge. They eventually returned to the cabin, Artemis didn't remember the trip back. Jake was put into his room and Salone followed him in and stayed there. Penny was talking to her, trying to calm her down. It removed the edge off of it, but she ignored Penny. Standing up and shaking off the Blanket she walked up to Jake's room and walked in. She closed and locked the door behind her.

First thing she did, before even acknowledging Salone's presence was that she kissed Jake. Right in front of Salone, she held the kiss for a few moments before pulling away. She even used her tongue a bit. She had a half a mind to kiss Salone, just to see if the same feeling arose but eventually voted against it. She moved her mouth down to his throat and bit down. Not enough to hurt him in anyway, just enough so that her teeth made marks on his skin. She chose a seat on the other side of Jake's bed and sat in it, facing Salone directly. She then talked, everything that happened in the cave. Starting from finding him in the cave, Jake covering himself in scales, what Jake told her and what she told him. The kiss, what she felt and why she tried to kill him. "In the battle he tried to break my humanity, something I don't have much of. That other dragon even said it himself, I am more of a beast then a human."

Salone stiffened as she watched Artemis kiss Jake. Great. Just great. One of her closest friends was crushing on the dragon too… brilliant. Salone let her poker face slide into place but squeaked a little bit when Artemis’ teeth found his throat. Salone’s eyes narrowed, Artemis better not be trying to kill him. However her stone position relaxed and emotions flickered across her face as Artemis wove her tale. There were factors from Jake’s side that she was pretty sure were missing… After the wolf girl finished her tale Salone sat there for a moment, massaging Jake’s fingertips clearly very deep in thought.

She was silent for quite some time before she said anything, “He thinks I’m possessed? Wait- the gold chick was his mate? ”

Salone seemed to be having issues digesting this bit of information. “As for the kiss and the fight, I’m not mad… There are certain factors there that makes it understandable but, yet not. With Jake, we need to remember he isn’t human… there is that base reaction of fight or flight when he feels cornered. He probably left the house to think and put his head on straight. I’m not making excuses for him but rather I am trying to understand what is going on inside his head… which I’m not too good at. As for you… well your Artemis… you were defending your pack-“

Salone leaned back, her head leaning against the top bar of the chair. “I just need some time to wrap my mind around all of this.” She was tired… they were all tired…
The Time Collector wasn’t quite sure how to react to the information that had came to light but she was trying to cope with it in a calm and calculating manner.

Salone had took the story surprisingly well. Artemis' eyes wander back to Jake, the impression from her teeth were still there. They would probably be there for the rest of the day. Her eyes wandered back to Salone. Did she hate her? Her way of speaking was just so empty it was hard to tell. On a whim Artemis did what she did to Jake when she first entered the room... expect instead of him she kissed Salone. She pulled away from the kiss and got up, walking to the door and unlocking it. She didn't feel anything in particular, but she wondered if it was just how humans convey feelings or something like that.

"If you hate me, alright." said Artemis, half way through the door. "I did what I did because it's what I believe is best for you. I don't regret my decision and I never will." With that Artemis left the room and closed the door behind her. Her stomach growled slightly so she headed towards the kitchen. Penny was in the room and got her the food. Artemis explained what happened to her while she ate. All the way up to leaving the room.

So…not dead? Did I fall into the ocean? Or maybe…am I in Seppam? Oh-ho-ho-ho…Baal…I’m Hoooome. I opened my eyes slowly, and winced, feeling the pain in my stomach. I was totally unable to move My body was in total shock…I might be able to talk…If I really try. It would be hard as all get out to hear. I opened my eyes and Artemis was…WHAT THE FLYING F@#$!?

She…kisses anything with legs apparently. I have a deep appreciation for not being a wolf…because she’s on a roll with this. I just closed my eyes and hoped that I didn’t just screw this all up. What did you do Yam? You stupid Archaic dragon…

Salone stiffened under the kiss, what the? She looked at her friend curiously before Artemis vanished out the door. The shapeshifter blinked several times trying once more to wrap her head around this situation. It was so bizarre! However she did catch Jake opening his eyes, saw them practically bug out of his head, before he shut them again and pretended he didn’t see anything.
“Faker,” She accused gently before getting down on her knees and brushing strands of hair out of Jake’s face. “How do you feel?”
***
Penny had paused while eating, fork halfway to her mouth, the yam balanced precariously on the item.
“You kissed Salone? Artemis, dear,” With that Penny began to explain the meaning of a kiss, not trying to embarrass her. After she was done explaining that she asked a series of questions about the clash with Jake.

Artemis ate the food, blushing slightly when Penny told her the real purpose behind a kiss. She just shrugged and continued eating. "Well I did mention mating with both of them..." said Artemis. She zoned out for a moment before a barrage of question came from Penny. Mostly about the fight. "Like I just said, he was better off dead to Salone then the way he was. However I wasn't the one who stabbed him, he did that to himself. I am more of the biting type." She zoned back out, wondering what was going through Salone's head right now or if Jake was even awake.

Salone made a soft noise, one of agreement, “You and me both.”
At his wince Salone’s hand moved forward uncertainly before resting it on top of his, lightly as not to cause any pressure. Jake’s face was pale from bloodloss and then he inquired about her and artemis, causing Salone to sputter.
“No!” Then she pressed her lips shut, woops. That was kind of loud. “No, more like Artemis isn’t up to date on today’s culture… she was raised by wolves you know.”
Then Jake tried to sit up and Salone rested her hand on his shoulder. “Easy, easy. Don’t give me that look. You impaled yourself! Lay back down! “
After that minor argument was settled with a look, Salone vanished out of the room, returning with a glass of water and a container of ice water, “How much of this are you going to need?” She asked, her long blonde hair had been tied back into a loose bun. The shadows under her brown eyes were visible as she sat down again. For a fraction of a second her eyes dropped to the teeth marks and the bruising around his throat.
**
Penny stood up slightly as Salone entered the kitchen, “He’s awake, just barely though.”
Salone gave Artemis a small smile, showing all was forgiven before she picked up the container of water and a cup. Penny sighed and sat back down, “Good. Then she can give the dragon a piece of her mind. He likes to be dramatic, apparently this was one of them… impaling himself… goodness… “
Penny stood and cleared away the dishes before setting a plate of apple pie in front of the wolf girl, along with a stack of napkins and a fork. Not necessarily meaning Artemis was going to use the fork.

By the time Artemis snapped back to reality Salone has entered the room. Salone smiled warmly at her, which was a nice surprise. Artemis was still sure she was angry at her. However if there was any meaning past the warmth of the smile it was lost on her. A few moment later a strange dish was placed in front of her. The warm aroma of the slice of pie made her mouth water and she drool slightly just staring at it. She wiped up the drool, slightly embarrassed before looking back at the pie. "W-what is this?" asked Artemis staring intently at the pie. She reached down and picked off a piece with her hands, ignore the fork placed next to the plate. She shoved the piece of the pie into her mouth and her eyes widened. The taste was indescribable, so many different textures and it just melted in her mouth. After the first bite she devoured the slice of pie, licking her plate and figures afterwards.

Salone gave him a smile, watching as the water formed a bird. The detail was incredible, Salone could see every individual feather and texture. She reached over and took the now empty glass from his hand before sitting on the edge of his bed to watch. She covered her mouth as the water landed squarely on Artemis, trying to squish the laughter that tried to escape.

"You're letting a mental robin be your new nurse? What? Are my nursing skills not good enough for the high and mighty dragon," Salone teased before handing him several tissues to clean the blood off before looking up through the open door. Penny had handed Artemis a towel to clean off her head along with another slice of pie to keep her from loosing her temper and possibly going on a rampage into Jake's room.  

"You should be careful," Salone told him, attempting to keep the humor out of her voice. "One day, you will be walking along and Artemis in disguise as a bird will poo on your head. A vacation is what you do to get away from day to day life, to relax and have fun."

Salone watched the glowing water for a few seconds, a dragon memory niggling at the back of her brain. She really wanted to ask him about earlier... but, it could wait for the time being.
Penny meanwhile was helping Artemis clean off her head. The wolf girl's hair was long and thick, causing Penny to want to braid it. But Penny resisted the temptation and handed her some napkins to wipe pie off. It seemed to her that everyone was getting food all over their faces.
"Do you want anything to eat?" Salone asked Jake, watching his face with her dark brown eyes.

Water a had fallen on her head and she almost bolted towards Jake, the only person who could of done it from a distance but then there was more pie. Artemis dug into the pie again, ignoring the towel and napkins. Penny was dying her hair off. On any normal day she would of snapped at Penny but there was pie. She devoured the pie then stood up. Her face was sticky and it honestly bugged her a bit. She picked up the town got it wet and scrubbed her face, like how she had seen Salone and Penny do before. She dried her face off and looked at Penny. "It seems like such a waste of time." said Artemis before walking off to Jake's room.

She sat back down in the chair and stared that the pair. Her eyes drifted to Jake's neck. Her bite marks where still there and he seemed not to of noticed yet. She could have fun with this. "So I learned from Salone that you like biting." said Artemis.