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Chapter 11: A Journey and Changes

The days on the ship were slow, long hours of traveling through the rushing blazes of stars. Jason tried to busy himself, cleaning, doing menial engineering tasks, learning about L'mdana, and getting to know Charaustra. Already, he felt like he could never again be without her. They were connected at a deep level he himself didn't quite understand. Now, as she grew, Char had started to speak in direct words. Jason found telepathy pleasant and easy. He found himself falling into it so much that he sometimes had to remember to speak aloud to Alexei and Genhyl.

Char, as she had grown, had changed significantly. At first, she had simply grown longer and more graceful. One day, however, Jason noticed patches of pin feathers coming in on her back.

What's this? He had asked her. It looks like you're going to be a Serpent type. Serpents were long and graceful, with beautiful feathered wings. Sure enough, knobs began to appear under the feathers, and soon, the shape of a stunted set of wings was visible. The wings continued to grow, at first covered in a coat of soft, thick down, like the down of a chick. Around the time that the down began molting, Char went through another surprising change.

Jason! Jason! She had cried one morning, and he had leapt out of bed, grabbing the gun he kept in his cabin at Genhyl's insistence and expecting the ship to be under attack. This theory was forgotten the instant he looked at Char. A few feet back from her wings, two large lumps were visible. Concerned, Jason bent down and began sliding his hands over Char, examining her with the care of a physician.

Does it hurt? Are you all right? He questioned, wondering if Char was deathly ill.

No, it doesn't hurt exactly, Char said, wriggling. It aches... like muscles ache after I run too long. It feels like when my wings came in.

Char, you must be getting legs! Jason exclaimed, thinking this the logical explanation.

But serpents don't have legs, Char protested. Jason nodded in wonder, but sure enough, as the days went on, the lumps formed into toed stumps, then lengthened into sturdy limbs. Soon, Char had given up slithering and was walking and flapping everywhere she went.

As far as I can tell, you're a mix between Serpent and Kangaroo types, Char, Jason told her one day, reviewing the information that was available from the computer.

Charaustra

Indeed, Char was growing more beautiful each day. Jason thought of her as a dragon angel, graceful and fair. Indeed, one would hardly know to look at her that underneath the calm and peaceful exterior, Char had a heart of fire and lightning. As her form solidified, a question grew on Jason's mind.

Char, you're an adolescent now, he said. As a teen, you're supposed to choose your magic concentration. The two had studied the information on magic. As teens, young dragons chose their magic concentration, the form of magic where their powers would lie. This magic lived deep within them. They could not fully control it, however, until they were adults and received their magical object or creature, something that would help them tame this energy and direct it. Jason had pondered Char extensively. At first, he had thought Bakkufaia, fire magic. It seemed to fit her. However, as of late, things had taken a decidedly odd turn. Since her hatching, Jason had begun to feel a new force and a new image. Flowing energy, a feeling of power, a connection to the ship and to the computers... the feeling had been growing. Then, odd things had begun happening. Their personal computer turned on by itself. Then, the replicator shorted out while they were making lunch. Later, the computer reported a fire and sprayed flame retardant solution all over their room. There was, of course, no fire at all. Genhyl had come down to look over everything and couldn't find a valid explanation. Jason, however, though he had one.

Have you thought about it at all? He asked Char.

Of course, she said. I know my magic as well as you do, Jason. Jason nodded.

"Biribiri," he whispered aloud. Char bowed her head in acquiescence. Biribiri, the magic of electricity. Flowing, crackling energy... strikes of lightning like Char's temper. It all fit. Jason nodded to himself. Soon, Char would be an adult and have control over this force. For now, however, they'd have to be careful. If Char lost her temper, she could crack, releasing a magical force strong enough to destroy the entire ship. Many young Glass dragons couldn't take the pressure... that was where the color got its bad reputation.

We'll be careful, Char said reassuringly. With Jason's stabilization, things had been toning down since her tantrums as a hatchling. Together, they would make it through this.

Yes, we won't fail, Jason said. A promise... the same promise Char and he had agreed on long before, the night they had decided to go with Alexei. They would not fail.

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Chapter 11: A Journey and Changes

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