“Dante! Huge rush coming in. Get in here and help out!”
“Oh crap, that’s my boss. If I have time, I’ll tell you later,” he said, rushing off. Cory sat eating her salad and looking around.
“You know, not all mutants are embarrassed about how they were born. It sounds like Dante may be one that doesn’t really care. I think it's stupid that they don’t have a camp or anything to help train them with their powers.”
Shrugging, Cory finished her salad and stood up. “It’s sad, but unfortunately there’s nothing we can do to help. He seems happy here, though. The cook calls him by name, which is better than most mutants get. Anyway, I’m gonna go to the entertainment car. Maybe there’s a movie or something. Want to go?”
I finished my juice and stood up, putting money down for a large tip.
◆◆◆
CORY
I grumbled while I scrubbed my jacket in the sink. Idiots! They seriously can’t hold their drinks properly. I hope this doesn’t stain. After most of the water was running clear, I found a bucket and a bottle of bleach. I mixed the water and bleach in the bucket, then added my jacket to soak, and walked back into my cabin.
“Now we meet,” a gruff voice said, startling me.
I spun around and came face to face with an unkempt-looking boy. “Oh, hi. Sorry, I didn’t know you were here. I can come back later.” I turned and headed towards the door.
“No bother. Everything is closing down for the night. I’m Ryan, your bunkmate for the night. Sorry about the mess on my side. We figured we wouldn’t be in this cabin alone the whole way, so my friend put up a barrier in case anything started to get close to going over. Then it would just stop.”
I shook his hand while waving my other one. “That’s okay. My brother gets kind of messy sometimes too. I’m surprised he’s not back yet. The movie ended an hour ago, and he’s usually getting ready for bed about now. Is your friend coming in soon?”
“Probably not. He likes to sit on the roof and watch the stars for a bit before going to bed. He’s pretty quiet when he does come in, though, so you should be able to sleep through it.” Ryan sat on the bottom bunk and tossed his shoes to the side. “Hopefully it’ll be a quiet night. I’m sure when we get to camp we’ll have to demonstrate some of what we can do, and I need sleep if I’m gonna Shift at all.”
I perked up. “Oh, you’re a pup? What’s your animal form?”
He laid back and put his arms under his head and said, “A falcon.”
“Oh, I love falcons! Such beautiful birds, very aerodynamic. I bet it’s wonderful when you fly.”
He shrugged. “It’s alright. I wish I was a cat Shifter. Much better looking.”
I frowned and took in a breath to argue, but was interrupted when Az finally walked in. “There you are. What did you do, try to sneak a beer in the bar car?”
Az snorted, “No, I was talking to Dante. He was actually excited to talk about his powers, so I went back after their rush.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You went to the movie with me at that time.”
Az leaned into the bottom bunk. “It wasn’t that interesting. I wanted to know more about Dante, anyway. I left about fifteen minutes in, you just didn’t see since you like sitting closer to the screen and I stayed in the back.” He stood up straight after getting some clothes from his bag. “I’m gonna shower real quick before bed. I’ll see you in the morning.”
I opened my mouth to say something, but he was already gone. I stared after him for a minute, then huffed out a breath and climbed into bed.
Cory
I walked out of the bathroom connected to the room as Az walked in. “Finally, I thought I’d have to get breakfast alone. When did you get back last night? I didn’t hear you come in,” I said as I was putting my hair in a ponytail.
“Um… Not sure. Late,” Az said as he tossed a towel on his bed.
“Another shower? You could have done that when we got to camp.”
“I was working out and was sweaty. I needed to shower,” Az said. “Now are we gonna go eat or what?”
I turned back to him, but he had already started walking back out. He stayed silent the whole way into the dining cart.
“Oh look, it’s our bunkmates. We should go sit with them,” I said, waving to Ryan and his friend.
Az looked over towards them. “Shifter pups, huh? Know what they are?”
“Ryan is a falcon. I’m not sure about his friend though.” We made our way over to the table, weaving in and out of the tables and chairs. As we passed a table a woman waved her hands out while she was talking and her lit cigarette caught my jacket sleeve and burned a hole in it.
The woman jumped up stammering, “Oh no, I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there. Let me-.”
I held up my hand and then sighed. “No worries. I can always get a new one.”
“I can-“the woman was cut off again as a thick built Ashen walked up and splashed his drink on my arm.
“Sorry miss, it was still smoldering. I didn’t want you to get burned.”
The woman before me grabbed her purse and started to turn, but her arm was grabbed by the chair and slammed into the table. “Hey! That hurts. Who’s doing that?”
There was a short, petite blonde girl standing to the side holding her hand out to me. “I’m Nancy. I saw how this turnskin and ash-puffer were harassing you. Looks like she was about to run off after stealing your purse.” Her voice came out in an almost silken quality, but felt laced with ice.
“What? No! This is my purse. I was going to give her some money for a new jacket.”
“There’s no need for that type of language miss. They were being helpful,” Az said while walking up.
“I’m fine Nancy, please let her go. It was a complete accident, and they really were being helpful,” I said while removing the rest of my jacket.
Nancy stood there looking them all up and down. “No. The turnskin and ash-puffer need to learn a lesson. And you, boy, need to stay out of the affairs of someone higher than you, even if you are a Madgie.” She raised her other hand and a long whip flashed into it. “I suggest you both move.”
Az moved in front of the Ashen and the woman. “And I suggest that you shut your mouth. Use their proper race if you’re going to talk about them. And the next time you want to bully someone, choose another Madgie.”
Nancy scoffed, “How dare you! Do you know who I am? I am-“
“Look lady, I couldn’t give two rat’s asses who you are. My jacket got ruined because I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going. It was my own fault.” I moved closer to Az and sealed off the man and woman more from her. “I’d rather have these guys at my table than you. Being racist is best left in the past.”
“What would a pathetic hag and her pet troll want to do with a turnskin and ash-puffer?” Nancy sneered.
“Don’t call my sister a hag! She’s a better Madgie than you’ll ever be! Better watch your attitude or I’ll change your face so that you’ll be the hag,” Az snapped.
“Nobody calls my brother a troll. And no Az, she’d be lucky if it was just haggish looks she’d get! She’ll most likely become a biddy.”
Nancy’s face reddened, and she opened her mouth to say something when Dante tried passing with a tray of appetizers and tripped, flinging his hand out and catching her arm. Nancy cried out as her entire arm turned into a block of ice. “What the hell is wrong with you,” Nancy screamed at him. “Why is there even a Halfling on this train? Your kind can’t go to the camps.”
“I am so sorry, miss. I tripped and just flung my arm out to try to catch my balance. Let me unfreeze your arm.” Dante held out his hand, waiting for permission. “It won’t hurt. I promise.”
“Just hurry. I’m obviously not getting through to anyone here. I don’t want to waste more time on inferior beings and Madgie that don’t stick with their own kind like they should,” Nancy sneered.
“At least we don’t hate people for no reason. Now let t
he Shifter go. She didn’t do anything.”
“Never! She can struggle out for all I care, or gnaw her arm off like the basic animal she is.” Nancy sauntered off after glaring at them each in turn, her arm now normal after Dante changed it back.
“So pathetic. Az, help me get her out of this,” I said, leaning over the Shifter's twisted arm and looking at the way the chair gripped her arm. “It’s pretty tight, so we’ll need to be careful.”
“I can Shift to get out. I’m an otter, so my arm will get small enough,” the woman said.
“It might get tighter if you do. If that vile excuse for a Madgie thinks anything like me she would have had it move with you but still be painful,” Az said, examining the chair wrapped around her arm. “It would take a lot of force to keep it from doing that. Not to mention the possibility of it breaking your arm in the Shift.”
“I think I can help with that,” the Ashen said in his gravelly voice. “I can hold it steady while she Shifts. If it starts contracting my scales will keep it from doing too much damage.” He held the chair in place as she Shifted and freed herself. She then Shifted back.
“Thank you. That’s gonna leave a bruise. Hopefully, it won’t create an issue at camp. I want to get top marks before I go home.”
“Well, we can help any way you need,” I said.
“I’m Lariska Chinara, nice to meet you all,” the Shifter said. She was of Indian descent and was wearing a Sari. Her hazel eyes made a striking contrast with her short raven hair.
“I’m Asril Stone, and this is my sister Corsanna. You can call me Az.”
“And you can call me Cory.”
“I’m Frank Grimble. My friends call me Grimby,” the Ashen said. Like all Ashen, he was bald. His yellow, cat slit eyes seemed to glow due to the surrounding dark blue scales.
“Here’s some money for your jacket. I’m really sorry I burned it,” Lariska said.
“Oh, don’t worry about it,” I said. “I have others.”
“Well, let me at least buy your breakfast, and I won’t take no for an answer.”
We sat at the table and had breakfast with Lariska, Grimby, Ryan and his friend Todd.
Az
The train arrived at the town adjacent to the camp. Cory, Lariska, Grimby, Ryan, Todd and I were trying to get a taxi van together when Cory bumped into Nancy.
“You better watch yourself while we’re here, worm. Don’t want to step on any toes, do you?” Nancy sneered.
“It’s a big enough camp that you won’t have to worry about me even trying to step on your shadow, let alone your toes.” Cory said politely.
“Well, just make sure to stay out of my arcane class. Some of us are here to actually maintain our good standing,” Nancy said snidely and walked away hailing a cab and getting in.
“I feel sorry for that driver,” Grimby said as he stepped forward, holding up his hand to a cab approaching.
“Hey guys, wait up!” a voice called as the cab pulled to a stop.
“Hi Dante, what’s up?” Corey asked.
“I invited him to join us. I’m going to talk to the camp counselors and see if we can get him into camp,” I said. “I think it’s stupid that mutants aren’t allowed. They have powers that need to be honed too.”
“That’s a good point. They should get trained just the same. Do mutants have a registry like Madgie and Shifters?” Lariska asked Dante, motioning for Cory to get in before her.
“Only some of us do, just the more powerful that can get the better jobs. My mother is a mutant, and she works for the MICAW. She had to register because she is able to change her appearance.” He replied, climbing into the van behind Az and Grimby.
“That’s awesome! What about your dad?” Cory asked.
“He’s a full Madgie, so he had to register once his camp days were over. He’s not very skilled in anything, so he got a blanket mediocre rating,” Dante shrugged.
“I think it’s kind of stupid you guys have to register what you are and what you can do. None of us Ashen ever have to.” Grimby said.
“Well, to be fair Grimby, all Ashen are descendants of dragons. Are any of your kind stronger than the others,” I asked. “Or maybe have more dragon-like abilities than others?”
“Some of us do have the Breath, but only enough to light a fire in our hearths. Others do have more strength and use it in construction. Few are born with wings and try to use them in life before finding out our human side killed off our flight. Those I’m always sorry for.” Grimby said with a far-off look in his eyes.
“Why are you sorry for them?” Cory asked.
“They always try to fly. Most fall to their deaths. Some become so skylorn that they kill themselves. The rest understand they will never fly and accept it. Then they go through liquidation.” Grimby said quietly.
“Do none of them keep their wings?” Lariska asked.
“None have been able to have a normal life if they attempted it. They usually do it around their 16th year.” Lariska grabbed his hand and held it. “But enough of the unchangeable. We can all vouch for Dante. Mutants should all be able to go to camp if they wish. They may not be registered, but perhaps they can learn more about their power,” Grimby said, looking over at Dante. “Yours is ice, right? It looked like you froze that Nancy girl to the bone earlier.”
Dante blushed. “I actually have two powers. Fire and ice. I’ve been able to get a decent understanding of them working in kitchens. Food is never cold when I’m around, but ice in drinks also never melts.”
“Well, I’m coming to you in the summer for a cooldown. I hate the heat. But maybe I’ll also come to you in the winter. That cold can be bitter. I wouldn’t mind a nice warm-up once in a while then.” I said. My eyes widened a little as I looked out the window.
Cory snorted, “You need a warmup in the winder Az? You’re always the one dying of heat.”
“A pleasant fire is a little different.” I said, turning around in my seat.
“What is so interesting?” Cory craned her neck to see what I was looking at.
“Did you see that herb shop? I think I’ll need to check it out before we go home. It looked like there were some Goji berries. I need to restock on those soon.”
“Well, good luck with that, I don’t think we’ll have time to shop.” Cory slumped back, “I was reading more about the camp before bed last night and the classes are pretty much all day long.”
“Maybe I’ll just order them then.” I turned around, “So anywhooslebees, when we get to camp we can talk to the staff and see what we need to do to try to get Dante in.”
“Are you guys sure about this?” Dante asked, picking at his nails. “I really have learned a lot working in kitchens. I think I have a good handle on my powers.”
“Can you create a flame out of ice?” Lariska asked. Everyone stared at her. “My grandma knew a Madgie that could do it. Took him years to master.”
“I’ve never thought to try mixing them. Well, aside from a steam of course. Or unfreezing something.”
The cab pulled up to the sidewalk, and the driver turned around. “You’re really gonna try to go to a camp and get instructions on how to use your powers?” The mutant's cat-like eyes stared at Dante, “Are you mad? Mutants can’t get further instruction.”
“Would you like to try and go too?” Lariska asked her.
“No, nobody can teach me anything new about my powers. I can see in the dark and have fantastic vision. Makes me the best driver in these parts.” She said, “Besides, mutants aren’t allowed to go to any of the camps. There have been some that try, but our powers aren’t big enough to be trained.”
She turned back around and started driving again.
“Well, that’s just crazy, if you have any powers at all you should be able to get training if you want.” I said, “It could help a ton to know your limits.”
“Don’t forget about the register. If we get proficient in any field, we’re basically gold to anyone that would hire us.�
� Cory said.
“Like I’d said before, only the most powerful mutants have to register. What our powers are, who our parents are, and if they were mutants or Madgie, a whole list of things really.” Dante said.
“Shifters have to register too. Just what our animal form is, our pack, and any identifying marks when we Shift.” Lariska said.
“Nothing about who the Alpha is of your pack?” Dante asked.
“Only their name. But that's the name of the pack, too. Mine is Joran Lock.”
“I still think that’s just weird. I can’t imagine having to register who I am.” Grimby muttered.
“Why don’t Ashen have to register?” Ryan asked, “Your kind are almost like mine. Only, you can’t Shift like we do.”
“I think it might be because when the registry was put into place, my people weren’t around yet. We were still in the deserts up until a few hundred years ago.”
“Don’t your people want to be registered though?” Todd asked. “Wouldn’t it possibly help to get you some better jobs?”
“Why register? It’s obvious that I’m an Ashen. I could walk into any construction company and be hired on the spot without an interview. Bodyguard positions are fairly common with my people too. Everyone knows what we can do.”
“I guess that’s true. I wish I was an Ashen. But nope, I get stuck with Shifting into a blasted sloth. Being slow and virtually unable to protect myself is a serious issue.” Todd said sourly.
“At least you look human. I will forever be stuck with my scales and slit nose. That Nancy girl was not the first, nor will she be the last, to call me an ash puffer.” Grimby stated.
“Well, you’ll never have to worry about that with us, Grimby. I can’t stand racists.” I spat. “They’re the ones that are wrong in the world. We’re all the same, just different looks and tastes. It shouldn’t matter.”
“Good to know. Thank you.” Grimby smiled.
“Oh look, we’re here.” Lariska said, pointing out the window.
Stone Cold NV: World of Sin, Book 1 Page 5
