
Location: Haven, Strange Academy
Grimore: Dragonic Morphing ; Enhanced Healing
Skills:
Dysphoria’s tendrils reached out and caressed Fin and Callaghan in a way that had him shuddering and leaning closer to the symbiont. ”Yes,” he moaned. ”Whatever you desire.” There was nothing he would not do for Finley and her Dys. Nothing he wouldn’t share. But it would be so much easier to share if he were in his other form. It would be so much easier to keep them safe, and he wanted to feel what it would be like to have Dysphoria run themselves over him in his dragonic form.
Cal shuddered again, but for a completely different reason. If anyone was watching, they would start to see his skin changing colours. The dim lighting reflected along his brown skin as it shifted to gold. Scales began to grow and multiple, his clothes dissolving into nothing. Cal scooped Finley into his bare arms and carted them away from the bar. His bloody lips found hers after he had bitten down on them, and he kissed her passionately as he set her down in a chair. Memories would flood into Finley and Dysphoria as he shared the island of his people. Visions of dragons of every shape and colour flew above a canopy of green and vivid azure blue. The sound of laughter and singing would fill their minds, accompanied by the stronger scent of sea and sunshine, before dissolving into a sea of stars.
The cool feeling of wind coming off the ocean flooded their joint minds, raising goosebumps on Cal’s skin. It was one of Cal’s more recent memories. It was a quiet night after this year's egg hatching ceremony had occurred. The first dragons born in a hundred years had been claimed. Already, they were learning the ways of being a dragon on Earth. Already, they were fighting for their life. For Cal’s breed was a dying breed unless they found viable mates for this world. Before humans, it was easy to thrive, but as the world’s population grew, so did the risk of survival for Cal’s people.
Cal had been tasked with watching the hatchlings for the night, and although he was in his human form, his ability to shift into a dragon would be quick should there be a need for him. Soft cittering and snores filled him with an overwhelming sense of peace. He loved this place. He loved his people. And he would do everything in his power to save them.
Cal shared these secrets openly with Finley and Dys, even though he swore to protect his family’s home island. More memories would flood into Finley’s mind. More images of his island, the way his people lived. The ancient language no one else could speak but his people, Finley would understand. He had been waiting to share their secrets until he found the right people. But Cal loved Finley, and they were perfect. And Dysphoria wanted secrets. Cal pulled away from Finley, feeling breathless. Once he pulled away, his face started to shift, his nose elongating into a snout, along with longer teeth, pointed ears, and hardened scales.
The golden scales cascaded down his neck, rippling over his growing arms and legs until they covered his entire body. The shift came faster now, and Cal turned away from Finley, keeping her and Dysphoria protected from the others. He stumbled back, his tail flicking out to knock over tables and something that felt softer. Cal would have to apologize to whoever he knocked down later.
Once he was fully transformed, Cal’s shoulders reached the rafters, but there was enough space that he wouldn’t cause damage unless he reared up onto his hind legs. He took over one entire side of the dining room, which was fine by him. It meant he could safely keep Finley away from the others and observe their behaviours, should someone unwelcome try to approach or take what was his away from him.
Cal wrapped his tail around Finley, holding her securely and huffed a breath of air through his nostrils, a warning to stay away from them.
Now that he was fully shifted, the drugs evaporated from Cal’s system. He blinked and looked at the room with new awareness. Cal had never lost control so rapidly before. He felt shame creep over him. And betrayal. Cal turned his attention to Barty and Nicky. A low rumble crept up his stomach and into his throat, reverberating around the room before he settled his head onto his front legs and watched.
A small shadowed dragon bounded over to Callaghan and Finley. He watched the unique creature with intrigue, finding the magic common yet unique in the way it was formed. The creature tapped Cal’s nose with his own, and what passed as a dragonic chuckle sounded from him. He pulled Finley closer with his tail, so she could get a closer look.
After a moment, four cute looking creatures appeared around Annika, scenting the air and walking around tentatively. They weren’t solid shadow. Annika could still pick out the errors in her formation and were they lacked depth or detail, but they were freaking adorable.
Annika cooed over her furry creatures, naming all of them instantly. The rabbits were Terry and Charlie, and the terriers were Elisabeth and Lunchbox Jr. Every one of them got belly rubs and scritches. Annika turned to look at Rohan, presenting her creation proudly. She looked to Willow next, but the giant lady seemed a little preoccupied. Honestly, everyone but the sober people was more preoccupied with their own journey. And there was a rumble and the ground shook. Annika turned, and her eyes widened in alarm before she got knocked off her feet.
A freaking dragon stood in the middle of Haven. Annika sat on her butt, staring up at the golden creature in awe. She only knew it was a dragon thanks to popular media. Her family didn’t have a word for this, and Jack had mentioned such creatures before, but Annika had never come across one herself. At least, not to her recent knowledge.
Annika quickly summoned a series of shadows. They undulated and pulsed around her, shifting and morphing into the perfect likeness of Callaghan’s dragon. Only miniature and black. Annika grinned. Perfect. Now she could recreate the dragon as a shadow at any time. Which was good since no one back home was going to believe her.
Annika leaned back on her hands, completely unconcerned about Cal taking up half of Haven. She watched her dragon waddle over to Cal and boop his nose. Annika tilted her head back, searching for an upside-down Rohan. She grinned at him.
”Magic stick time?”


