Realistic or Modern Dragons in Our Midst

[GreatSaiyaman31]

He smiled across the table at her.

"I assure you that I don't have that ability. My intuition merely guesses correctly every so often," he replied. "Of course there is no way to please everyone. That's why you target a specific audience with your product correct? Trying to please everyone does nothing but add stress to your life. It's a far better use of time to select who is most important to you and focus on pleasing them and damning what other people think about it. You're only one person after all. An amazing one I'll admit but still one person none-the-less."

 

[Golden Solitaire]

Saria couldn’t help but smile, “I don’t really think of myself as an amazing person, but thank you.”

“You know, there are very few people in this world I could spend time with and not feel like it’s a chore. You’re just really easy to talk to.” She rubbed her left thumb over the back of her opposite hand, “Argo really seems to like you, so maybe that’s why? I don’t know. Whenever my boys don’t like someone, I tend to not get along with them either.”

 

[GreatSaiyaman31]

"You're most welcome. I'm happy to say it as much as you like," he replied.

Listening to her explain hopefully just some of what she liked about him he found himself smiling as well.

"I guess it helps that I don't talk much. Makes me a better listener I suppose," he stated with a grin. "Also I liked the boys as well so the feeling is mutual."

Just then he saw movement out of the corner of his eye from the front of the restaurant. Looking over to see the man he feared showing all night enter through the doorway and dwarfing most of the other people he kept an eye on the old god but kept glancing to Saria.

"Saria I have a feeling something bad is about to happen. If I tell you to duck and find cover will you do it without asking or hesitating? I can explain later but as for right now I just need you to trust me okay?"

No sooner had he said something to her the greek deity spotted him and his date and manifested a lightning bolt. His voice boomed through the entire building.

"You dare to assist Hephaestus but when my wife and I came to you, you turned us away with scorn!? Let this serve as my vengeance. I shall show your date there what a monster you truly are Arthur Wolfsbane!"

With that the deity hurled the lightning bolt with deadly accuracy. Luckily their food hadn't arrived yet so Arthur picked up the table, bracing himself and using it as a shield.

"It is my decision who and what I help with and no one else's Zeus! Now leave this place in peace or leave it in pieces."

As he grew angrier Arthur's fingernails grew to claw length. He did his best to calm himself so that he wouldn't transform in such a confined building in front of everyone especially Saria. Of all people she was main one that he didn't wish to crush if he transformed.

 

[Golden Solitaire]

People began running out of the restaurant, screaming and calling the police. In the frenzy of people trying to get to the door, Saria was pulled along with them.

The crowd had gathered in the parking lot, many of them getting into their cars and leaving. Small groups had formed and were waiting to see if anything was happening outside as well.

Saria was ushered over to an older woman and another lady she introduced as her sister. The two asked her if she knew anything about what was going on. Of course, she replied with a no.

 

[GreatSaiyaman31]

"You think a creature such as yourself frightens me dragon? Just because you predate my pantheon doesn't mean that you are more powerful. I defeated titans in order to claim my throne! You shall prove no more a challenge than they!"

Zeus ranted as he threw more thunderbolts. Meanwhile Arthur used the tables to his advantage moving his way closer and closer to the god after each thunderbolt until he was close enough to make a final leap. Punching the deity square in the jaw Zeus only staggered back on step before glaring at Arthur. Zeus would have had him had Arthur planed to stop with the punch but he landed another to Zeus' jaw before flipping backward and kneeing him in the chin in the process. Each blow staggered Zeus another step.

"I don't care who you think that you defeated in order to claim yourself as the ruler of the greek pantheon. I am a progenitor of the dragon race. I was there in the world back when your father ruled and before. You are dealing with no fledgling fire breather! I may not want to transform here but I don't need to in order to summon my powers to defeat you Zeus. I give you one last final warning. Either leave us in peace or I'll grant a long standing wish of your wife's and ensure that you can never force yourself onto another woman again."

Having his manhood threatened seemed to halt Zeus in his tracks for a moment just as he was about to throw another electrical punch. Taking advantage of the hesitation Arthur charged and knocked him back into the wall before pummeling the greek god's torso with a flurry of blows much more powerful than the first two. They were just warning shots after all. Finishing the flurry the greek reached to throw a punch but Arthur easily dodged and shoulder tossed him through the front window out into the parking lot in front of where the crowd had gathered. In the process of doing so the Greek's body had shattered one of the large windows before he landed on the asphalt outside in front of the spectators.

Before stepping outside Arthur calmed himself so that his dragonic traits wouldn't show. Stepping out of the restaurant through the shattered window and approaching Zeus and the crowd with a grim look on his face, Arthur looked around in an attempt to find Saria to ensure that she had made it out safely.

"Saria?? Are you alright??"

"You foolish...." Zeus started in an attempt to get up.

Arthur quickly stomped his face into the pavement a couple of times with his foot.

"Shut....up," Arthur ordered. "I hope your entire pantheon is watching so they know just how ill advised it would be to make me an enemy Zeus."

 

[Golden Solitaire]

When the window was shattered, several members of the crowd screamed. The entire group retreated a few feet. Shock crossed each of their faces.

Sirens blared in the distance, slowly getting closer until two police cars rolled into the parking lot. This caused the spectators to back up even more so the officers could do their jobs.

Not long after the officers arrived, news vans parked along the side of the road. Of course they were looking for a story involving someone claiming to be a god. Cameras were carried out of the vans, and reporters began narrating.

Saria looked disappointed, perhaps a bit concerned as well. She had just met Arthur, and now he was more than likely going to go to jail. What a magnificent first date.

 

[GreatSaiyaman31]

Arthur put his hands up and followed orders given by the officers as they rushed onto the scene, taking in all of the aftermath. As soon as the cops started putting him into cuffs and raising him to his feet people from the crowd began speaking up.

"Hey! Don't take that guy away! He was just trying to stop the crazy one that said he was a god!" a man yelled.

Then a woman piped up, "Yeah! He's the good guy!"

As more and more people began to speak up in his defense Arthur couldn't help but to begin to hope that he might get out of this without a record.

"If it'll help my case I will pay for all of the damages to the restaurant," Arthur stated to the officers.

 

[Golden Solitaire]

Saria was still in shock. The entire situation was difficult for her to grasp. She certainly had questions, and she would get those answers one way or another.

She didn’t want to get in the way, so she stayed near the back of the crowd. Everyone was doing their jobs, and people we’re already inteetering. She wasn’t going to be one of them.

Pulling her keys out of her back pocket, she twirled them around her index finger while she waited for everyone to calm down. Crowds weren’t her cup of tea. Never were, never will be. So there she waited, her attention on the officers and the people recalling the events that had taken place.

 

[GreatSaiyaman31]

"We still have to take him in for some questioning as to his side of the story as to what happened here folks. If everything you're telling us in your statements is true he'll get back out tonight with no charges so long as he pays some restitution to the property owner of the restaurant," one of the cops announced.

Pushing his way through the crowd a man with a vertical scar on his face appeared and handed the police his card.

"I'll be this man's lawyer that you'll be offering him to call and utilize. Pleasure to meet you gentleman," the man stated while holding his briefcase with one hand.

Before he got put into the patrol car Arthur turned to try and find Saria.

"Saria!? Are you alright??"

The lawyer looked in the window and gave Arthur a smile.

"Mr. Wolfsbane rest assured I shall be with you at the station when they go to question you. Once they do release you which they will since I'm certain your story will collaborate with the witness statements from the crowd, I will transport you where you need to go and ensure you get your property returned to you."

Arthur recognized the man when he saw the scar on his face and sighed as he sat back in the backseat of the patrol car.

As the car goes to pull away the lawyer turns back to the crowd.

"Is there a Miss Saria here!? I have been given instructions to check on you and ensure your safety while Mr. Wolfsbane is in the police's custody. You can call me Mr. Kattalakis."

 

[Golden Solitaire]

Saria had to push her way through the crowd to meet the man who called her name. She extended a hand, “That would be me. I’m Saria Ashwood, and who are you exactly Mr. Kattalakis?”

There was something about him she was uncertain of. He knew something she didn’t. It seemed that way as least.

Thankfully, after the car pulled away, the roar of the frantic crowd died down. Some people were leaving while others were still giving statements to the police. They all seemed eager to leave. It was hard not to feel the same way. Cobalt and Argo we’re going to be wondering where their dinner was.

She missed the short speeches by both the officer and this stranger, but she knew a bit about what was happening, “So he’s in custody. How long do you suppose it’ll take for him to be released?”

 

[GreatSaiyaman31]

"I am Mr. Wolfsbane's lawyer and a longtime friend," he replied with emphasis on the word longtime and a slight bow at the waist to her. "How much has Mr. Wolfsbane told you about himself? Certainly you must have many questions after seeing him take down a man claiming to being a deity?"

Escorting her to his vehicle which was a Lincoln town car, he held the passenger door open for her to get in.

"I am certain that he would like to explain things to you himself once this ordeal with the police is over so please would you accompany me down to the station?"

 

[Golden Solitaire]

“He hasn’t told me much. I guess you could say I hardly know him.” Saria hesitated a bit, but hearing the man explain to her that he and Arthur were friends calmed her nerves.

She stopped when he opened the passenger door of his car, “I don’t know about that. I have two dogs at home and I should really feed them before they go wild. How long will this take?” She asked.

 

[GreatSaiyaman31]

"You'll be home in plenty of time to feed both of your dogs Ms. Ashwood. I am simply one hell of a lawyer and with his testimony combined with the witness statements from the crowd screaming his praises I doubt they will even hold him for the night. It's not like he was a drunk vagrant that took up destroying the place. Guaranteed the man calling himself a god did most of the damage," he replied ushering her into the vehicle. "As for what I am permitted to tell you I can discuss once we are in the privacy of the vehicle if you'd like?"

Hoping to pique her curiosity he didn't plan to say much other than some basics about Arthur that he didn't tell everyone that he talked to or tried to date. Not that he tried to do the latter very often at all from what Hephaestus had come to learn of the man in police custody.

 

[Golden Solitaire]

“I would greatly appreciate you telling me what is going on. If there is something you can’t talk to me about, I understand. I’m just...I’m just so confused.” Saria buckled her seatbelt and toyed with the hem of her shirt.

She couldn’t help but feel a bit curious as to what this man knew. Arthur hadn’t spoken about him, and she thought a close friend would have been mentioned at least once. Maybe it would make her seem nost if she asked too many questions, so she would keep it limited.

 

[GreatSaiyaman31]

Once she sat down on the seat and got buckled Hephaestus closed the door and got into the driver seat on the opposite side of the car. Putting it into drive he began the careful drive to the police station.

"Alright so first things first. That man that assaulted the restaurant wasn't human. I cannot reveal his name but if Arthur feels like explaining who he is that's on him. I would rather not incur his wrath. Second, Arthur is not human. I won't say what exactly he is but it's not something you need fear. Let's just say he has had a VERY LONG life. He doesn't suck blood or anything like that and he doesn't feed on humans. There's some basics. So what questions do you have?"

 

[Golden Solitaire]

Saria felt like her heart had stopped. Time seemed to be frozen. Her mind couldn’t process it even though it was so simple. They weren’t human. What were they? Angels? Demons? Was she dead?

She caught herself staring at her hands, her eyes wide. It didn’t seem right. Oh boy did she have questions. Too many to count. How did the man beside her know all of this? Her gaze shifted to him, concern washing over her features, “Who the hell are you? How...why do you know this?”

 

[GreatSaiyaman31]

"I am a friend of Arthur's like I stated before. Let's just say that I'm not human either. I come in peace earthling," he said mocking an alien voice from an old sci-fi film.

Seeing the look of confusion and shock on her face his chuckle quickly disappeared.

"Relax. I know this is a lot to take in but did you really think that humans and the animal species you know of were the only type of life in the cosmos? We are not aliens before you ask that was simply a joke. I am not permitted who or what I am to a mortal due to laws that were passed among my people eons ago. What I can tell you, even though Arthur might hate me for this, is that he predates my people by an eon or two at least."

 

[Golden Solitaire]

Saria closed her eyes and covered her face with her hands. She took a deep breath and tried to process his words once more. Eons. Laws. Mortals. She must be dreaming.

“What’s happening? I just wanted to go out and have a good time. I’m dreaming. That’s all this is. Just a dream.” She murmured to herself, “Just a dream.”

There was a tiny voice in the back of her mind that told her otherwise. This was very much real. She didn’t want to accept that. She couldn’t. This has already stressed her out enough and now it was worse. She moved her hands and rubbed the bridge of her nose, “God help me I’m going insane.”

 

[GreatSaiyaman31]

"I can't really help you with insanity. The only suggestion I can give you is to enjoy it. It makes things much more entertaining and unpredictable," Hephaestus replied with a chuckle.

Seeing her distress he reaches over to her and offers her his hand.

"Grip it and I shall help you through all of this young lady. One thing I can assure you of is that Arthur would never want to do anything to harm you. He kept his secret out of necessity. Perhaps he initially didn't want you to have to become involved with the crazy supernatural part of his life but you were already smack dab in the middle of it tonight at that fight."

Finally pulling into the police station he turns the engine off and gets out of his seat. Looking inside the vehicle to her he gives her a smile.

"Your choice miss. Either stay in the car or you can come inside and wait in the lobby until the two of us come to greet you?"

 

[Golden Solitaire]

“I have enough knowledge about Gods and mythical beings to know that I should not shake your hand. No offense.” Saria didn’t accept his hand to hold. She was too worried that she would be pulled into a deal she couldn’t get out of.

When they arrived at the station and parked, she hesitated again but soon got out. She had way too many questions that she wanted Arthur to answer, but she really just wanted to see that he was alright, “I suppose I’ll go inside with you. It’s better than sitting outside alone.”

 

[GreatSaiyaman31]

Smirking at her explanation to not shake his hand he closed the car door as soon as she was out and clear of it. Locking it he walked into the station with her close to his side. Approaching the sergeant at the reception desk he spoke up.

"I am the legal counsel of Arthur Wolfsbane that was just brought in tonight from the incident at the restaurant. I need to see my client as soon as possible and could someone offer this poor girl a cup of coffee? She was there when everything went down and I"m certain Mr. Wolfsbane will be happy to know that she is safe and taken care of."

The sergeant called over one of the privates who returned a minute later opening the door to let Hephaestus inside to go to the interrogation room where Arthur would be waiting. In the process of holding the door he offered a paper cup to Saria.

"Careful, it's hot miss. That had to be a scary situation. Heard that guys were throwing guys through windows and some kind of explosives were being thrown around?"

The sergeant at the desk overheard the officer and shooed him away to follow Hephaestus. Giving as kind of a smile as he could muster towards Saria he pointed to a chair away from where they had a couple people waiting in cuffs.

"Fan of your work Miss Ashwood. I can't tell you how many nights I've gotten through here by reading your books. Don't worry you're not here to be interrogated about the incident. We got enough witness statements against the guy calling himself Zeus and calling your boyfriend a hero that so long as he pays the damages for the restaurant he is free to go. Lawyer probably told ya that much already, huh? Oh! While I got ya here could I get ya ta sign my copy of one of your novels? The rest of the boys'll never believe I metcha in person."

 

[Golden Solitaire]

Saria took the cup with a small smile, muttering a ‘thank you’. She made her way to the chair the officer pointed at and sat down, slowly sipping the coffee she was given.

“Oh he’s not my boyfriend. Not yet anyway.” Saria couldn’t help but grin at the thought, “I’m glad my writing has helped you out. It means a lot to hear that. Do you want me to make this out to you?” She picked a pen up from a side table and twirled it between her fingers.

 

[GreatSaiyaman31]

Smiling over towards her he introduces himself through the window.

"Name's Sergeant Robert Baker. You can call me Bob miss. Just cause I'm a fan. Could you make it out to Bob? Thank you miss," he replied with an eager smile.

Meanwhile while this exchange was going on Hephaestus arrived at the interrogation room and sat his briefcase down on the table that separated Arthur from the officer that was attempting to interrogate him about the incident at the restaurant.

"I think that that will be enough questions for tonight officer. I am here to talk with my client if you could give us a few minutes alone I would like to consult him."

Watching as the officer left the interrogation room a little aggravated, Hephaestus turned to Arthur.

"Before you say anything I want you to stop before you even try to thank me for what I'm about to do. It's the least I could do since you helped me win over my wife," he explained.

Snapping his fingers the cuffs released Arthur and Arthur stood, rubbing his wrists.

"So now what then? They're not just going to let me walk out of here."

"You let me handle the police. Your name will come out of this sparkly clean my friend."

Poking his head out the door, Hephaestus called for the officer to come back. As soon as the interrogator saw that Arthur was loose he called for backup but Hephaestus stopped him and the other officers from barging in and using force.

"Calm down! My client has done nothing wrong and obviously he hasn't even attempted to escape. He's willing to cooperate with you and your investigation but that is it. He already explained he would pay the damages for the restaurant which wasn't even caused by him might I add. I personally would be much less cordial than he if I were in his shoes. Being dragged down here in cuffs after defending people from a maniac that was lobbing more explosives than Al Qaida and ISIS combined. Bare handed I might add! The man is a hero and the one calling himself Zeus is the psychopath that should be locked up and made to pay reparations."

Coming back from the window the desk Sergeant had heard all of the commotion and signaled for the others to let Arthur and his lawyer pass.

"Let 'em go boys. This man has done nothing wrong. If the witness statements that all correlate with one another are any indication he's a friggin' hero. Mr. Wolfsbane you are free to go and I hope the next time you go out on a date it will go a little more quietly. Sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your cooperation."

Standing Arthur smiles and nods, giving a slight bow to the Sergeant before walking out with Hephaestus to where Saria was waiting. As soon as he sees the look on her face however his smile fades. He knows that look and when it comes from a woman it means that he's going to have a lot of explaining to do. Hephaestus pats him on the shoulder whispering in his ear.

"You're on your own for this one Arthur. I'll be waiting at a safe distance out in the car."

 

[Golden Solitaire]

Saria opened the book and began writing a short message on the cover.

Bob, it was wonderful to meet you despite the unfortunate circumstances. I hope you have enjoyed this book and any other novel of mine you’ve read. Much love, Saria Ashwood

She added a small smiley face above her name and allowed the ink to dry before closing the book and giving it back to its owner, “And there you go. That’s worth a lot on the Internet.” She joked.

When the doors opened, Saria turned to see Arthur. She cocked a brow and crossed her arms over her chest. Her dark hair shifted a tad bit when she tilted her head. A smile crept across her lips, “You get to explain some things on the way home.”

 

[GreatSaiyaman31]

Approaching her cautiously he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to explain Saria," he replied as he walked with her out towards Hephaestus' vehicle.

Holding the door open for her he waited til she was sitting in the back seat before closing the door and moving around to the other side behind Hephaestus before getting into the vehicle himself. Looking across the car to her he gives her a nervous smile.

"What would you like to know first?"

Expecting an eruption of anger and disappointment with a tirade of questions thrown in he flinches away anticipating an outburst as Hephaestus starts the vehicle.