Home sweet home.
Good lord, it was a pleasant sight to behold. The familiar sights and smells of McKale's house filled his senses, making his head dizzy. It had been such a terribly long time since he'd seen the familiar banisters of his staircase, which was oft to be subject to McKale's derriere as he slid down them. Or she, on occasions, but such an activity was best suited for pants and not skirts, as the latter had the rather tricky habit of getting one's legs tangled in all sorts of inappropriate ways, which, in turn, led to certain fellows falling flat on their faces when they reached the bottom of the stairs.
"This is the humble abode then, aye?"
"Roight nice looking place, innit, Hush?"
"Quite, Sakay."
The doors reopened and Jeffrey, with Shar and Cy, appeared in the entrance way, Jeffrey sporting Bishop, slung over his shoulder. As suspected, Bishop hadn't quite made it through the whole flight without waking up, but Jeffrey had easily fixed the matter. Leading Bishop to the bathroom and biffing him over the head. Or, at least, McKale suspected that's what he'd done. He hadn't been there after all, and Jeffrey refused to tell him anything. Never the less, Bishop was thoroughly knocked out and spent the rest of the trip sleeping like a baby.
Good thing, too, McKale had been much too nervous about being in a shuttle to have Jeffrey biffing off to deal with their little German.
The group passed through the main foyer into the living room, where Jeffrey dropped Bishop unceremoniously onto the couch. He stirred a little, causing McKale (and by the sound of it a few others) to hold their breaths, but he settled down again quickly and kept on sleeping.
"Aye!" piped up Sakay (at least today, anyway) from the floor.
"Who's that bloke, anyway?"
"I mean, we know you're Jeffrey,” said Sakay, eyeing Jeffrey.
"And you, the purple fellow with all the legs..."
"...and the one with the eyes..."
"Are Jeffrey's bonds, sponsors?"
"Shar,"said Shar, scaly lips quirking a little,” I’m Jeffrey's bond, where as Cy is his sponsorling."
"Yeah,"said Cy, frowning disapprovingly.
"And that,” said Shar, pointing over his shoulder at the slumbering Bishop,” Is Erich Emmanuel Bishop."
"Who?"
"Doesn't ring a bell, love."
"Oh, you remember!" exclaimed McKale, bending down to scoop them up,” The German chappie I was telling you about, the one who we need to send to Winquist! Oh! That reminds me, rather,” he turned to Jeffrey,” I’ll give Winquist a call, shall I? See if he can't pick Mr. Bishop up?"
Jeffrey folded his hands and nodded,” Certainly, sir. Will you be needed my services, or shall I show the children the house?"
"No, no, Jeffrey,"McKale plucked Sakay and Hush from his shoulders and handed them to Jeffrey,” You give them the tour, what?"
"Very good, sir."
McKale shot Sakay and Hush a salute, which they returned eagerly, and stalked off to the kitchen.
.:.:.::.:.:.
"And this,” said Jeffrey, carefully pushing one of the upstairs doors open,” Is Sir...Miss...McKale's room."
Four heads peeked inside, flicking their gazes from the armoire to the bed to be private bathroom door. They retracted, shooting Jeffrey a set of nods, before scurrying down the hall toward the next door. Jeffrey shut the door and strolled after them.
Four new additions to the household. Four new dragons, who would certainly not stay as pleasantly small as they currently were. Shar and Cy, at least when she reached adulthood, could shape shift, and he suspected Hush and Sakay (or was it Sakay and Hush?) would not grow...terribly large, being as they were not much larger than the average puppy as hatchlings, but the house would become crowded and small before too long. He had no intentions of informing McKale of this now, though, having just walked in the door. But soon. Before they started getting big.
They were going to have to move. It was inevitable.
He ran his fingers through his hair, smoothing back a few loose strands that had escaped from his ponytail, and pushed open his bedroom door.
"And this is my room, where Shar and Cy will be staying." For now, at least.
"Wait up there, mate," piped Hush.
"You didn't say where we're staying!"
Jeffrey blinked, brow furrowing,” I did not wish to assume McKale's decision concerning the matter."
"Ah,"they said, bobbing their heads.
"Very well then, mate..."
"...carry on."
Jeffrey nodded to them,” Thank-you sir...miss. And this,” he said, continuing down the hall,” Is the main bathroom..."
.:I like them:.
.:Indeed, Mr. Tah?:. It was somewhat of a relief, to hear Shar s- think that. Jeffrey had been, still was, uncertain about them. Shar's opinion may not have been able to sway his own, but it was a comfort. Shar was observant enough to figure them out (at least on some level) by now.
Shar's mind voice took on the edge of laughter .:They certainly suit their role as the new master's of the house:.
.:Indeed they do, Shar:. Jeffrey just hoped he wouldn't be taking orders from them any time soon. McKale, was his employer. Not these children.
Jeffrey had never buttled for children before.
"And here we have-."
A flash of something careened through his mind, and he whipped around to see an identical wide-eyed look on Shar's face.
.:Jeffrey, something-:.
BANG
All five of them jumped and whirled around to face the opposite end of the hallway.
"Oh, look at that, Hush..."
"...the Bishop chappy's awake."
"And I think that's a gun..."
"...not that we've seen guns before..."
"...no, certainly not..."
"...but if there ever was something to look like a gun..."
"...that's it right there."
"Quite right, Sakay, quite right."
.:.:.::.:.:.
"Yes, hello? I'd like to speak to Wilbur Winquist, if I may. Hm? All right." McKale twirled his fingers in the phone cord, tapping his foot on the floor. The woman on the other hand yelled out for Winquist (Honey! There's a man on the phone for you.) A few minutes passed in silence before McKale heard Winquist's voice on the other end.
"Hello?"
"What-ho, Wilbur! It's-"
"Oh, you."
McKale blinked,” Well, I say! You don't have to sound so-."
"Get to the point. Mr - Is it Mr. today? - McKale."
"It is in fact, but-."
McKale could hear Winquist grinded his teeth on the other side of the phone.
"Oh, well, rather. That is to say, I've got Bishop here. Erich Emmanuel Bishop, that is. And I was rather hoping you'd come pick him up."
"Ah,"Winquist let out a sigh. McKale didn't want to jinx himself, or some such thing, but it sounded relieved to him. "Ah,"Winquist sighed again,"Very well, McKale. I'll be there short-."
BANG.
McKale jumped, dropping the phone.
"McKale? McKale? What was that? Answer me, damn you! What was that?"
McKale reached down toward the phone.
BANG - BANG
"Oh, dash it all!" he kicked the phone away and raced out of the kitchen.
.:.:.::.:.:.
Bishop sneered at them, steeling himself with revolver in hand, pointed quite directly at Jeffrey. Carefully, Jeffrey shooed the dragons behind him. Shar followed reluctantly and keeping near to Jeffrey's back, letting his fingers curl in the tails of his jacket.
.:I'll think of something:.
Jeffrey's hands curled at his sides,” Bishop, put down the gun."
"Erich, Jeffrey,” he cocked the hammer, advancing a couple steps,” And I will not. I will not be sent to Vinquist."
.:Ask him why:.
"Erich, please, put down the gun. They're children."
"Oh, for god's sakes, Jeffrey! I'm not going to shoot them, they're not trying to send me to him."
Shar stepped forward and Jeffrey swung a hand out in front of him, keeping him back.
.:I'm your bond, Jeffrey, let me-:.
.:Mr. Tah, if you don't stand back I will shoot you, if Bishop doesn't:.
Shar frowned, but nodded none-the-less, backing a way until he was side by side with the others. Quickly, Cy hid herself under his legs, and after a moments hesitance Sakay and Hush joined her.
Jeffrey took a calming breath and turned his attention back to Bishop. He'd advanced a few steps.
"Why can't you go to Winquist, Erich? Why is it worth shooting u- me..."his eyes widened. McKale! McKale was downstairs! "What have you done to McKale?"
"Your employer?" Erich's lip twisted further,” Nothing." He let out a bark of humorless laughter,” I couldn't. I can't. I-" he snapped his mouth shut, brow furrowing,"Vhy wont' I go to Vinquist? Vhy?. That is perhaps the least intelligent thing I have ever heard you say, Jeffrey. Of course I won't - can't go to him. No one wants to-" he stopped, recoiling a little,” You don't know, do you?"
.:Get him to tell you:.
"Know what, Erich?"
Erich's lips twisted into an ugly smile,” Your employer has you kidnapping men and you don't know vhy you're doing it."
"Erich, tell me, please,” Jeffrey stepped forward, shooting the children a look and motioning toward the nearest door. They took the hint, scurrying into it quickly. Shar lingered at the door.
.:Mr. Tah.:.
.:I want to protect you:.
.:I'll be fine Mr. Tah. Go.:.
With a lingering look they exchanged a nod, and Shar hurried after the others, shutting, and locking, the door behind him.
Jeffrey turned back to Erich,” What don't I know?"
"Oh, no, no, no, Jeffrey, I don't think I shall tell you,” he sneered, lifting the gun again,” I think I shall shoot you."
"Erich-"
BANG
Jeffrey's eyes widened and he scurried toward the wall,” Erich!" The bullet had just missed him. Just missed him. By all reason it shouldn't have missed at all. Erich was half way down the hall. Those blows to the head must have thrown off his judgment. Thank god.
.:Jeffrey?!:.
.:I'm alright, Shar. Mind the others:.
BANG
.:Jeffrey!:.
Jeffrey's breath hitched and he collapsed against the wall, hand flying to his side. He doubled over himself, drawing his hand away from his stomach. His fingers were red.
Not thrown off that badly, then.
Footsteps thudded up the stairs and McKale appeared on the other side of Bishop, flustered and panting. Jeffrey shrank against the wall, gritting his teeth at the pain. Bishop hadn't spotted McKale yet and was striding closer, tossing his arms wildly.
"I really did like you, Jeffrey."
Jeffrey craned his neck too look up at him. He wasn't a foot away now, and pointing the gun again. Square between the eyes. From down the hall, Jeffrey heard McKale gasp.
"Jeffrey!"
"That's enough, Bishop. Put down the gun."
Who...? Jeffrey couldn't see passed Bishop. Didn't want to turn his head, just in case that gun went off and got him somewhere where it wouldn't kill him, where it might do something worse.
Jeffrey watched the shiver trail through Bishop's body. He gritted his teeth, steeling himself with muscles drawn tense, and cocked the gun again,” Leave me be, Winquist."
Winquist.
"Thank-you, McKale, I'll take it from here. Fetch your butler, please."
"I'm shooting him, Winquist!"
"No, Mr. Bishop, you're not. Put down the gun."
Bishop's hand trembled, and Jeffrey squeezed his eyes shut, sucking in a deep breath and holding it. He heard a clunk, a shift of fabric, and a shuffle of feet. He cracked open his eyes to see Bishop, sans gun, turning to face Winquist. McKale let out a yelp and scurried down the hall to Jeffrey's side.
"Oh, good heavens, Jeffrey,"McKale crouched at his side, clutching at his arm.” Are you all right? He didn't- Jeffrey! You're bleeding!"
Jeffrey wasn't listening. He was watching Winquist and Bishop down the hall. They spoke in hushed voices, throwing their hands animatedly. Finally, Winquist grabbed hold of Bishop's shoulder and thrust him toward the stairs with an angry,” Go!" Jeffrey hadn't expected him to listen. He may not have had the gun anymore (why did he drop it?) but he was still many times larger, younger, and fitter looking than Winquist. Never the less, down the stairs he went, with Winquist trailing after him.
"We're leaving now, McKale."
McKale didn't seem to hear him.
.:Jeffrey?:.
.:I'm...all right.:.
The door cracked open and the four hatchling tumbled out of the room, swarming toward their bonds.
Shar stood frozen in the hall, staring at Jeffrey and looking as if he wasn't able to move. Finally, he sucked in a deep breath and turned to McKale,"Can you drive?"
"Drive? You mean, an automobile and all that? A little, why?" he hadn't looked up from Jeffrey, alternating from clutching his arm, his hands, his neck, his cheeks.
Jeffrey winced, clutching at his wound.
"An automobile, yes. He needs a doctor."
"Oh, right, yes of course! But I can't carry him..."
Shar nodded,” I can."
McKale finally tore his gaze from Jeffrey, locking eyes with Shar,"He'll be all right, won't he?"
Shar paused, his mind reaching out towards Jeffrey's. It was soothing.
.:Yes:. "Yes."
"Oh, well, thank god then. And all those other religious coves."
"Well,” said Sakay (or was it Hush), turning to their twin,” That was rather exciting, wasn't it?"
"Oh, quite. I for one hope the excitement doesn't let up,” he (or she) waggled their eyebrows.
"Certainly no point in living dulls lives."
"Not at all."