Fugitive of the Future

<p>Teolun heard the buzz and guessed that whatever the button did had allowed her to get inside. She pushed the large metal door aside and slid into the work shop, letting the door close behind her as it re-locked.  Everything looked the same as she remembered it, or possibly messier as it looked like Lyts had hardly stopped working during all the time she had been gone.</p>

<p>As she walked further into the large room she started to eye what she believed to be her purchase. It definitely had more of a shape to it now then when she had last seen it. It was actually starting to look like something she could see on the streets and not just some strange piece of metal.</p>

<p>“You work fast Lyts.” She said as he walked back into the workshop. “I’m quite excited to see what you’ve done.”</p>

 

<p>Ah yes, suspense, that’s what was in the air. Suspense, anticipation and excitement. All good emotions. Ones she would like to feel more often, but fear was often glued on to those emotions when she felt them. Not that she didn’t have a little bit of fear today; there was still the fear of dying in a terrible explosion caused by her driving the new toy into a wall.</p>

<p>She watched closely as he cleaned up a few small bits and made a few more connection, afraid that she was going to miss an important part of driving instructions. She calmingly climbed into the passenger seat, relived that she wouldn’t have to drive first. She watched as the freedom of the steering wheel was displayed but did her best to not be distracted by thinking about which side she would prefer.  It was a little unlike her, but she had grown rather quiet.</p>

<p>“Ready whenever you are.”</p>

 

<p>Teolun’s ears twitched foreword as the vehicle started, mildly surprised at the lack of noise it was making. Her memories of machines were much louder, but that was over 30 years ago. This sound, however, was something that she could see herself growing used to. And Lyts seemed pleased with it as well which had to be a good sign.</p>

<p>Her golden eyes watched intently has Lyts brought the machina to life. Doing her best to memorize each step of the process.  As the car moved forward she quickly remembered that she had forgotten to buckle in. She reached across and pulled the strap down across her chest, feeling slightly more secure.</p>

<p>There was a nice smooth feeling to the movement of the car so far, she just hoped that it would stay that way all the way through testing.</p>

<p>“I’m almost surprised you don’t own your own test track.”  She said with a smile, which was her first since getting into the machine. “And you’re sure we won’t explode at any moment right?” They took a few turns and Teo tried to relax. To keep her hands from latching on to any surface out of nervousness she placed them flat under her legs.</p>

 

<p>Teo’s fears weren’t completely put at ease by his reassurance. She was a firmed believer in the 1% chance, she felt like her own presence could add a -/+ 3 variance. She did however remove her hands from her seat and brought them to rest on her lap.</p>

<p>“Oroboros.” Even through her mild fear towards the machine, she was still mentally present in the conversation, there was just a little more hesitation before she spoke. “That’s what the image of a snake eating its tail is called. Could make a good name for a new product.”</p>

<p>When he mentioned something fun Teo was expecting him to press the medal down and test the speed of the machine, but instead everything went black. Her ears pressed flat against the back of her head as her own paranoia jolted through her whole body and her mind raced, thinking that this was some sort of a trap. But nothing suspicious happened. Instead it was Lyts who was in a compromised position, holding the two wires together. A normal ‘dragon would have winced out of empathy, Teolun was generally lacking in that skill set. Instead she watched in mild fascination as everything through the front window changed.</p>

<p>Forgetting her fear she leaned forward in her seat to gaze at the newly illuminated surroundings.</p>

<p>“Night vision? Is that what this is? And built in GPS?” She wasn’t sure if she was using the proper terms, they were far beyond her general technological knowledge, but whatever it was, she was amazed. “Much beyond my expectations Lyts. I'm sure security services would love to have you working for them.” The idea that he was on "their" side (the side not with "them") comforted her, with this could could have the upper hand for once.</p>

 

<p>Interesting knowledge set indeed. Knowing the study of symbols is very important for a Dream Weaver as most ‘dragons would dream in the shape of symbols. It was her job to be able to interpret them and use them. She didn’t tell Lyts this though, she had found that there was something about being a Dream Weaver that could make people uncomfortable, a bit of a misunderstanding anyways. Dreams are generally thought of to be private places and the idea of someone being able to waltz right in could be uncomfortable.  So she remained silent.</p>

<p>She flinched, rather violently, when Lyts patted her knee. She was terribly caught off guard when ever someone touched her. He appeared to be doing it in an effort to comfort her so she tried to quickly recover from her reaction, but failed. “Heh,” she puffed out, with a condescending flair, “You may want to be a little more cautious about protecting strangers you find on the street.”</p>

<p>She quickly realized that she was being terribly rude, this fey had offered to help her on an act of faith of simply believing that she could even come back to fulfill the purchase. And here she was throwing it back in his face.</p>

<p>“’Dragons who are self taught have always proven to be more successful and committed. Who needs degrees anyway?” She offered the flattery as a sad apology. “Or laws for that matter?”</p>

<p>“She contemplated what she’d like to see added, which she had spent the last few pui thinking about. “I’m not sure what you have in here now, but if there could be a really clear sound system, that would be lovely.” She often used repetitive and soothing music when trying to put people under hypnosis, so having a portable music maker would be helpful.</p>

 

<p>She had been enjoying the drive; it was a completely different way to see the city that she hardly thought about before. Being on the main streets had made her loose her sense of direction for a while and she was surprised to see how quickly they were able to return to the garage.</p>

<p>“Kiom level is fine. I’m not looking to start a fire, or ruin my hair for that matter.” Teolun knew she was vain and was in no rush to change that fact. She liked pretty things.</p>

<p>She slid out of the vehicle and went to look over Lyts’ shoulder as he began to tinker with the engine. “How many more puis are required?”  She didn’t want to rush his work, but she was growing more fidgety about being in the city for so long. She had even felt like she may have been followed while coming here today. But that could easily be her normal paranoia.   </p>

 

<p>She memorized the boxes that Lyts motioned towards, she had no wish to die do to a car malfunction. That would be a terribly boring death. “Noted. I don’t think I would trust anyone else to touch this creature, if anything acts up I’ll bring her back here.” As long as it stayed running any way. If it ever broke down somewhere else in the country she would have to find Lyts and drag him out to it. It sounded a little extreme but she’d rather not let anyone else in on the secrets of her new toy.</p>

<p>Teolun followed Lyts’ glanced and walked over to the security screens, wanting to get a lay of the land before she left again. “Things are always a little un safe.” She nearly mumbled as she scanned the screens, finding a picture that worried her. There was an arden at the corner of the screen on one of the monitors. An arden who she had caught staring at her a few puis before. He didn’t look convinced that he was in the right place, had possibly followed her to the area and lost her when she got inside. That left her two options, let him follower her again, to lose him somewhere else or she could get rid of him good.</p>

<p>“You wouldn’t happen to have outside speakers would you? Anyway for me to project my voice outside?”</p>

 

<p>Teolun let out a dark laugh, coming from somewhere deep in her throat. Not because of the idea of the small half Feydragon getting into a brawl, but because of his quick jump to violence. So many ‘dragons, so many minds often saw it as the only response. She knew that if she ever got thrown into a fight she’d drop before even being hit. Which was why her methods involved avoiding a fight entirely.</p>

<p>“No need to get excited Mr. Lyts. You had your chance to show off your expertise. Now it’s my chance to show off mine.” She turned away from him and his metal pole and slid over to the microphone he had pointed to. She wasn’t about to do anything to drastic, basic hypnosis. Which was made more difficult by a lack of eye contact and other aids she would have used when face-to-face with someone.</p>

<p>Taking a deep breath she let her whole body relax. She closed her eyes and began a slow, controlled breathing pattern. Upon opening her eyes again she pressed the button.</p>

<p>“Good evening Sir. I believe you are looking for something.” She couldn’t hear the sound of her own voice out in the alley, but she could see the arden’s reaction. He nearly jumped from his lurking spot and began looking around at the walls and windows.</p>

<p>It was a good sign; as long as he could hear her clearly she could control the situation. She took another breath and continued on in a voice that did not sound like hers. It was smooth and sweet, the sound of the loving nanny you may have never had. It was the sound of a psychiatrist who could get you to bare your soul. A voice that could convince you to believe any lie.</p>

<p>“”Look up at me sir, now down at your hands. And now back to me.” He looked skywards when she told him to look at her. She needed to establish a basic connect with his mind and the up and down movements of his head would help to unsettle his mind. Make it more malleable.</p>

<p>“You no longer need to continue your quest. You have found what you have been looking for. See that bicycle wheel by the trash bin. That is your new treasure. It had wronged you and now you must destroy it.” He simply looked confused at first, as most ‘dragons would. But as she continued talking a look of calm serenity took over his face. He even walked over to the discarded bicycle wheel and picked it up.</p>

<p>“Once it is destroyed you will feel a great sense of accomplishment. You will throw it into the river and your villain will be defeated. Then you will return home, tell your family that you were victorious and sleep more deeply then you have ever before. Without a care or a worry in your mind.” The arden hesitated for a few more seconds but a moment later he could be scene walking out of the alley way, bicycle wheel in hand.</p>

<p>“Well that solves that problem. Now where were we before we were interrupted?”  </p>

 

<p>She didn’t notice when Astald went and shoved the rag in his ears, the focus required for distance hypnotism didn’t let her have much information reaching her brain concerning her current surroundings. A light bulb could have exploded and she wouldn’t have noticed, it was nearly a trance that was as intense for her as it was for her subject.</p>

<p>Teolun couldn’t help it, couldn’t resist the jackals smile dancing across her lips to show off her wolfish teeth. It wasn’t a friendly smile, nor one of violence or distain. It was the kind of coyote smile that left all of the reasons for laughter up to the imagination. She liked the idea that Lyts could be worried, she liked the possibility of fear it gave her to play with. It was almost disappointing to tell him the truth.</p>

<p>“Here now Lyts, I’ll give you a tip. Are there any blank spots in your memory of these last few pui? If you can remember all if your actions <em>and</em> the reasons for your actions, you haven’t been hypnotized.” She walked back over to the nearly complete automobile. “The expert tip is that you cannot hypnotize someone into being creative. I don’t know any of your technical mumbo jumbo and therefore could not have implanted these ideas myself. All of which to say: No, I have not hypnotized you.” She made a point to stare at him directly when saying this, in hopes of portraying the truth.</p>

<p>“Well, it looks safe enough to leave now, this probably bought me a few more pui. If that was it, I’ll be off again.” She rubbed at one of the horns protruding from her skull while looking at Lyts expectantly.</p>

 

<p>It was a strange feeling, to be believed. It was one thing to trick someone into believing you, it was something else entirely to not have to lie through your teeth. The moment passed as he shot a glance at her horns. She couldn’t completely figure out the look on his face, worry, curiosity? She wouldn’t know how to recognize concern.</p>

<p>“Not…” at all, was how that sentence should have finished, but it died before she could get her usual reply out. “Not before the eclipse.” She was comfortable with the subject, she wasn’t comfortable with her weaknesses. “Since then things have gotten complicated.”</p>

<p>It wasn’t often headaches for her, it was other things. Personality shifts, lost time, hallucinations. She was naturally closer to Fronima than most, the eclipse had brought her closer, but it’s a dangerous relationship.  To her magic was an addiction, there was bound to be a painful detox here and there. Her face remained blank as she walked towards the door.</p>

<p>“I’ll be back in three pui Lyts.” She said with a glance over her shoulder. “And this time, I get to drive.” She shot him a grin as a flash of life returned to her face as she disappeared out the back door.</p>