Shadow of the Hunter

All the same, Chad could pick out the dragon underneath the facade. The way he turned, looking like the twist of scales. The movement of his hips that suggested the great length of tail. The way a sense of fire seemed to simply surround him. Chad suspected he saw as much as he did because he was allowed. He was certain he would still see something even if he wasn't.

"May I?" Qiang indicated the bench seat across from Chad.

Chad nodded and gestured to the seat with his fork. Qiang sat down and twisted himself sideways, with his back was against the wall and his long legs stretched out along the seat. Even this suggested to Chad the lounging of Qiang's serpentine dragon form.

"Yeah, it's this song I heard today," Chad explained.

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah." Chad rolled his eyes. "The blasted Snow Miser showed up."

"The what?"

"Snow Miser. He was a character from this stop motion animated kids Christmas special."

Qiang regarded Chad with uncertainty. "So a character from a children's show accosted you?"

"Not the actual character, just someone who reminded me of him."

"Oh. Well, that's good."

Chad looked at Qiang. "I haven't lost it that badly. Yet."

"So who was this person?"

"Person is playing lose with the definition," Chad responded, then described the encounter.

Qiang rested one elbow on the table and the other on the booth, his fingers interlaced. It was a position he tended to take when thinking. "It sounds like a weather elemental of some form."

"And what did it want with me?"

"I couldn't say for certain, but my guess is it has something to tell you."

"So why didn't it tell me then?"

"You told it you were busy."

"So I should expect it back?"

Qiang shrugged elegantly. "I would. It did say it would be back, didn't it?"

Chad sighed. "Yeah, it did. Oh, joy, can't wait."

There was something in his mannerism that suggested to Qiang that this was not all that had happened. "So was this visitor the whole of your day?"

Chad gave him a level look. "You don't think so."

"What I think is immaterial to the situation. If you have something to say, you have something to say. But if you simply came to eat, that is acceptable."

Chad studied his food before answering. "I had a dream," he said without looking up.

"Yes?"

Haltingly, Chad described the dream. Qiang listened, his fingers interlaced except for his index fingers pressed against his lips.

"Interesting," he said when Chad came to the end. "Though not altogether surprising. When you engage the spiritual aspects of this world, they will engage you back."

Chad looked up. "What do you mean 'engage'? I'm not engaging anything."

"Oh?" he said with a cocked eyebrow. His tone was one Chad knew all to well. He was about to hear something he didn't want to. "So it's some other young man who is apparently aware out there hunting?"

Chad sighed. "Why do you ask questions you know the answers to?"

"To see what answers I get. And the answer is?"

"Yes, it's me."

Qiang nodded. "I thought as much."

"You mean 'knew'," Chad muttered.

Qiang shrugged. "If you like. If you're finished, please follow me."

Chad looked down at his empty plates. He nodded, then followed where Qiang led.

Their path went through the kitchen and into his office. Once there, he shut and locked the door. He turned to an ornate wall hanging that covered most of the back wall of the office. It was an abstract piece, done in vibrant flame-like colors, that Chad could sense power emanating from. He could almost feel the heat and see the colors move. He knew it was the entrance to Qiang's lair.

Qiang laid his hand on the tapestry and the flames sprang to life, then parted allowing access. Qiang indicated for Chad to enter and he did so. Qiang followed and the flames fell closed.

They were in a cavernous room Chad remembered from his previous meeting with Qiang. Flaming braziers dominated the room, five all together. A large brazier was in the center with four smaller ones in the corners. Strewn about the floor were pillows of every conceivable style, size and shape. Along a wall was a table and chairs, book cases, and a bed. These seemed to be the only nods to Qiang's want to occasionally wear human form. The rest of the room was set up to house something much larger. A dragon.

Qiang gestured and the brazier and pillows moved from the center of the room, exposing the tile floor and leaving an open space. Qiang strode to the center and gestured for Chad to join him.

Chad walked over. "If you could do that, why did you have me moving the brazier that night I was here? The damn thing is heavy, you know."

"If you'll recall, I had been poisoned. I wasn't in the position to use power I didn't have. Fortunately, that is not currently the case. Now, then," he said, turning to face Chad. "How are you initiating these hunts?"

Chad looked away. He shifted uncomfortably, a behavior Qiang had come to recognize whenever Chad was asked to discuss the particulars of his talents. He was new to the situation and it was to be expected. It also needed to be corrected quickly. He was hunting and didn't have the luxury of being evasive.

"Since you're going to be doing this, I need an idea of what and how you're doing it."

"Since I'm going to be doing it? It's already a forgone conclusion?"

Qiang sighed. He recognized the dodge and met it head on. "Had I said 'if you're going to do this' you would have argued you don't have a choice. I haven't time to waste on semantics."

"Fine," Chad conceded with some annoyance. "It's like I can feel them when I'm close by. I can feel their darkness, their...evil isn't quite right. But I can feel that there's something not good, not...safe. And I follow that. It's like the feeling spikes when whatever they are are about to do something bad. Or something predatory. They go after the street people. A lot."

"Not surprising, they're easy targets. And what do you do when you attack. Show me."

Chad looked uncertain. "Come again?"

Qiang gestured with his hand for Chad to come at him. "I know what I'm doing, just have at me. I want to see your style."

"Well, I don't know that I have a style, exactly," Chad answered as he approached. Everything in his mannerisms was relaxed. "I just kind of fly casual until," Chad was now next to Qiang and about to pass when he swung his elbow for Qiang's temple. Qiang moved smoothly out of the way, but was impressed with suddenness of the attack.

"So you strike from surprise. How do you get that close?"

"They don't know I can see them." Chad turned to face him.

"Play against their ignorance." Qiang nodded. "That's good as far as it goes, but they're figuring it out. That won't work for much longer."

Chad nodded. "I know. That's why I also carry an automatic rifle. I prefer not to use it because it makes a God-awful amount of noise. Though some neighborhoods seriously don't care. And those get frequented—a lot."

"An automatic rifle?" Qiang said with some disdain. "You have no finesse. And where did you get one, anyway?"

Chad looked incredulous. "I know some people. And finesse? I'm just trying to kill the fuckers, not get points for my performance."

Qiang looked thoughtful. "And you're just going after the predatory ones? You're leaving the rest alone?"

The image of the strange creature from the night before rose up. Still, he didn't actually hurt the little thing, just scare the shit out of him.

"Yeah, just the predatory ones."

"Good. The same as every other aspect of the world, there are lines that should not be crossed. I shouldn't need to remind you of the consequences you experienced when you crossed them in the human realm. The price for crossing them here will be staggeringly higher, I promise you."

Chad repressed a shudder. His time as a goldfinch had not been enjoyable, but he'd now seen enough to understand he'd gotten off lightly. It could have been much, much worse.

"I know."

*********************************************

Qiang sat alone in his office after Chad left. He was concerned. He believed the boy's intentions were good, but there existed in Chad disturbing tendencies. Qiang feared hunting could exacerbate them. He was still trying to resolve Chad's legal troubles from attacking Dakota, a woman he'd been in a limited relationship with. Not that that had entirely been his fault. Largely his fault, certainly enough of his fault that he had to bear the responsibility for it. But part of the driving force had been out of his control.

Qiang returned his attention to his computer. He brought up "Snow Miser" and found a clip of the odd little character singing a song. He recognized the tune as the one Chad had been humming.

He replayed the clip when there was a knock on his door. He glanced up and in an instant knew who was on the other side. He wasn't surprised. He wasn't entirely pleased, but not surprised.

"Come in, Sebastian."

A young man entered the office, closing the door behind him. He wasn't an imposing figure, five foot eight with a slim build, brown hair worn a bit long. His blue eyes somehow spoke of water, and his movements flowed with the ease and grace of a moving river. Qiang suspected the youth was unaware of just how much he moved like the river he was bonded to. He stopped in front of the desk.

"If you have a second, I'd like to ask you something."

At least he remembered his manners, not always a given when dealing with Sebastian.

"I do. Please." Qiang motioned to a chair. "Have a seat."

Sebastian grabbed a chair and pulled it up. Qiang looked over his clothes. Jeans and a casual button down shirt. It was the same outfit he saw Sebastian in when they first met in the fall.

Qiang looked Sebastian over. "You know, when you go out in the cold you should at least attempt the illusion of the proper attire."

Sebastian looked down as though he'd just realized what he was wearing, or appeared to be wearing as the case was.

"Oh." Sebastian reddened slightly. "I hadn't thought of that. Every time I shift, it's just the same clothes I was in when that night."

Qiang shrugged. "It's not a huge concern, as you don't have that much contact with people. But it's something you should consider."

Sebastian nodded as he filed away the information. "What are you listening to?" he asked.

"Something about Miser Brothers."

"The Year Without a Santa Clause? Didn't figure that to be your thing."

"It's a reference Chad made when I was speaking with him earlier today. He'd compared an elemental he ran into to the Snow Miser and I was curious what it meant." He paused and watched the clip some more. "The Snow Miser has some peculiar mannerisms."

"Yeah, he's gay as a three dollar bill."

"Oh. Well. I wasn't aware a children's animated Christmas special would detail the sexual orientation of its characters. How very forward thinking of them."

Sebastian blush deepened. "No, I mean they never said that, it's just...OK, never mind that."

Qiang smiled. He was amused by how easily Sebastian could be flustered. Still, he had asked to enter and Qiang had allowed him. He should be treated with courtesy. "I'm sorry. You had a question."

"Yeah. And coincidently it's about Chad."

Qiang sighed. He'd thought as much, though he didn't put it off to coincidence. While they did happen, he was completely aware that this wasn't one.

"Yes, what of him?"

Now Sebastian looked down and fidgeted. It was such a human mannerism it reminded Qiang that unlike him, Sebastian had not been born a dragon. It had only been a few months since Sebastian had come into possession of a dragon's pearl and consequently became a dragon. That a Caucasian had been chosen for such an honor still rankled Qiang. He didn't have a particular problem with Sebastian as a person. He seemed on the whole not a bad sort. But in Qiang's estimation, that didn't mean he deserved to be a dragon. He'd largely been forced to come to a sort of peace with the arrangement. Heaven had chosen, and he was in no position to undo that choice. He gathered all the patience he could.

"Sebastian, I'm aware of your feelings in regards to Chad. What do you think you're going to ask that's going to upset me?"

A look of uncertainty ran across Sebastian's face as he considered his words. "Well, I mean after what he'd done, how can everything be fine and forgiven?" Sebastian looked up at Qiang as anger eclipsed his uncertainty. "I mean he beat Dakota. And would have done it again if Chang wasn't there. That's not all right."

"No. It's not."

"So then why is he out there wandering around?"

Qiang sighed. Chang was the dragon in charge of Sebastian, why wasn't he covering this? "We've gone over this before. Chang laid out the parameters. He set the punishment and when it would end. It ended. It's not that the past doesn't matter, it's that that portion is finished and now we go forward. And it's not that he's out there not being monitored."

"A few weeks as a goldfinch doesn't seem enough of a punishment to me for what he did," Sebastian flared. "Minimally a few years, preferably the rest of his life."

"Perhaps I misspoke when I said punishment." Qiang sat back in his seat and interlaced his fingers as he considered his next words. "I don't believe your definition of punishment is what Chang had in mind. I can't say for certain, I'm not Chang and you should probably discuss his mind set with him. But from what I can see, the point of the goldfinch wasn't punitive. It was to give him a new perspective on himself. And in that respect, it fulfilled his intention."

"But why are you sticking up for him? What if he just goes back to what he was doing before?"

"Then it will need to be addressed. You have my word, I will do so."

"Why are you even giving him the chance?" Sebastian's voice was steadily rising.

"Because it's a chance worth taking." Qiang folded his arms on the desk and leaned forward, closing the distance between him and Sebastian. "And since you want to play the what if game, what if he backslides, like you fear, for want of somebody looking out for him? That the difference between him living up to my expectations or down to yours is there being higher expectations to begin with?"

Sebastian griped the arms of his chair and glowered. His eyes darkened considerably, and Qiang could see he was nowhere near accepting the situation. Qiang gave a bitter laugh as he began to discern a subtext to the conversation that he hadn't previously considered.

"What?" Sebastian asked, a little sharper then he intended.

"Do you know what irony is?"

"The opposite of wrinklely?" Even now, Sebastian couldn't resist a joke.

"Sebastian..."

"Sorry. Yes I know what irony is. So?"

"So, here is someone I've said doesn't deserve to be a dragon telling me someone else doesn't deserve to be human. I was just reflecting on how easily our ideas can get turned inside out and shown back to us."

Sebastian felt his anger recede in wake of the statement. They were both being told to trust the judgment of others against their own instincts. Sebastian felt he had more of a right to his opinion.

"Yeah, I can see that. But I'd never done anything to you and Chad has. Not to you, but you know what I mean."

"True." Qiang paused to determine the best way to broach his next point. "But he was half-mad when he did it. And you know that." After a pause he added, "And you know why."

Sebastian's angered deflated further. "Yes, I know. Is that done now? Is he all better?"

Qiang shook his head as he sat back in the chair. "I doubt he'll ever be 'all better'. I'm not even sure how long it's been since he'd been whole to begin with. The roots of this situation extend much farther back then you realize. But he is in better control. He's seen another view of the world."

"But how do I trust that?"

"Do you even want to?"

Sebastian looked down. Qiang had as clever a way of cutting to the bone as Chang.

Qiang watched his guest while he debated what to offer next. He knew a way. But he had to decide if he was betraying a trust between himself and Chad. He decided peace may be worth a small inconsideration.

"If you want to get to the bottom, meet him at the river. It's your place of power and you will know it if he's lying. However, you have to live with what you see there. I will tell you now, you won't find a monster."

"What will I find?"

"I can't say for certain what you might find. What I've found is a terribly damaged young man trying to mend."

Sebastian paused for a long moment, then said, "Please have him come to the river when he gets a chance."

"I will do so."

Sebastian merely vanished from his office, going directly back to the river. Qiang sighed.Doesn't he realize this is a place of business, too? People will wonder why they never saw him leave. Oh, well, guess I can't expect some twenty something boy-turned-dragon to remember all his manners. Qiang returned his attention back to the finished video clip and hit replay. It was a catchy little tune, at any rate.