Figment of Dreams
Chapter 43: Animals

Dean Sellasun stood in the clearing of the Moonbrook forest. It was his favourite location to teach at, because he could actually be in nature and show us the animals he was talking about. Or most of them anyway. It was important for all Rainers to be mindful of all living creatures and since there was still a small population within the Rainer community who possesses magic, everybody should learn about the force of kindness and the intrinsic magic all living creatures, and especially animals carry within themselves. It was no surprise that most Rainers were vegetarian or vegan.

Right now our class is staring at the indigenous creature called a ‘Wombidoo’. It looks like a squirrel with wings. And it’s purple, fluffy and super cute.

Sky and Olive had joined me on the sidelines, huddling close to a giant sequoia like tree. At the other side of the semi-circle Melixes and Sebastian were giving the entire class bored vibes. Whenever something didn’t go their way, such as a professor not caring for them at all, they tended to act like the class was rubbish.

‘It got quills and is also adapt at swimming.’ Dean continued, while the creature bopped up and down on his shoulder. There was no way this little thing was a wild animal. He was definitely one of Dean’s tamed pets. He had a lot of animals in his care, living right on the edge of campus at the riverside with a huge park behind it especially reserved for his animals.

Dean was a muscular guy, similar to Ash but about two heads shorter. He was maybe a half foot taller than me and I’m no petite girl.

He had a short cropped white hairstyle, the latter being similar to his best friend as well. Ash had explained to me that they had met in college, this college actually and had hit it off since the very first day of classes. Which was so like me and Skylar, that I couldn’t help but feel an immediate connection to Dean. Not included the fact that from day one he had been the only one to not see me as a mere human. Even though I was.

After college the two buddies also went on to join the elite forces of Moira, called the Razz Moros. They were the equivalent of our SWAT team. But somewhere during one mission, things had soured for both of them, so they had quit a year ago and joined the academy to start teaching.

The latter I had heard from Sky, not from Ash himself. I was putting that away for a later time to ask him in person what had made them quit so abruptly. I also had a very vivid image in my head of all Razz Moros having white hair and since that had become my new goal, when FBI agent had fell through, I needed to replace out more about them soon. The fact that Kai’s first father, that is what Rainers call their biological father, was the captain of Rivellin’s R.M. squad and also had white hair, was kind of funny to me.

I had three years of college left and afterwards I would need to specialise during the period of two additional years to obtain my master degree. My two years were going directly into achieving Razz Moro status.

Suddenly the little Wombidoo launched itself from Dean’s shoulder and made a gibbering beeline straight for me. No joke, it actually sounded like a small child laughing. Which did not make it cuter. At all.

Sky and Olive ditched the tree in under one second, like it had a disease and left me all alone, with an incoming attack looming. Great friends I had!

The creature did not attack though, it flew to my shoulder and rested his left wing against one of my cheeks. It felt furry and warm to the touch. It croaked out a high pitched laugh as if it was pleased with his new friend and I just stood there frozen as a statue.

‘Well she at least made one friend who is more her style.’ Sneered Melixes. Sebastian just remained bored but managed to give her one of his disapproving looks though. I wasn’t flattering myself, he wasn’t defending me anymore than he was saving me yesterday from the Fae that had been chasing me. He was probably just annoyed with her breaking her ‘bored’ stance to make a comment at all.

‘Dean…’ I added through clenched teeth but he was already by my side. Eyes shining.

‘He likes you!’ glee in his voice and his eyes.

‘I can see that but can he maybe… like me a little less.’ I just had a quick glance at its paws and the razor sharp nails were digging into my shoulder like little needle pricks. I did not want a swipe of those claws against my face, that’s for sure.

Dean gently took the little creature back but it wouldn’t budge easily. I was afraid for a few seconds that he would aggressively decide to stay on my shoulder, but Dean managed just fine.

’He really likes you.’ He said once more.

Sebastian snorted a ‘join the club’ between a cough and a sneeze and Dean gave him a deadly glance.

’Anything to add Barrington? Would you like a demonstration with Woos here?’

Sebastian snorted again, even more disdained. ‘I could care less, Sellasun. Whatever you say.’

‘Have some respect. It’s Professor Sellasun for you.’ Dean snapped back and suddenly I saw straight through his comedic persona, when the real Razz Moro came out to play. Sebastian had noticed as well and quickly shut his mouth. Knowing very well to not piss off Dean.