Darkness. Death. Pain. Curled rams horns. Black eyes. Long nails. Classic demon. Grinning at himself with row upon row of pointed teeth. An expert, self proclaimed. Not a living soul could vouch for his expertise - unless he wanted them to. Over the centuries, the people had called him many things: Devil. Demon. Satan's spawn... all true and false at the same time. He called himself Adrian. He'd never had need for a name, but after a dying woman had seen through his illusion and Named him, he decided to keep it - it meant "dark one" in Latin. It fit. Adrian moved thorugh space and time as he saw fit, visiting places and events that no mortal had ever dreamed of. He'd seen the birth of the legendary Pheonix, the building of the pyramids, the first lunar landing. He'd been there when things went wrong and the Challenger exploded. He was there in New York on September 11th. And enjoying every moment of it. As an immortal evil, he was beyond all human limitations. While he found tampering with their lives good sport, he didn't like to do things on a global scale. Oh no. Some petty thief always ended up Martyred for sunts like that. No one ever pointed a finger, claw, or talon at the true evil genius behind it. No, Adrian preferred to keep things personal. Even before the philosopher Descartes had proposed that perhaps we were all being completely fooled by an evil demon - to make some deep thought into a valid point - evil creatures had been actively trying to decieve - to control the minds of humans at their whim. Some great evil leaders had been puppets - not Hitler though. That was all him. It is wondered if Adolf was one of the evil ones revealed in the human world, but it just wasn't true. Adrian clutched the frail body of his most recent "project" in one huge clawed hand and pulled his black cloak about them. Absently reminding himself to feed his "pet", Adrian leapt through time-space. Something big was happening nowhere in particular. * * * The neon sign in the shape of an egg hatching cast harsh light over the landing area. Adrian's talons scraped against the pavement, making sounds that would make humans shudder to their very core if they were to hear it. He casually followed the stream of people to where the action was sure to be, casting an aura about him such that the people unconciously avoided the space where he was walking, and also failed to notice the towering demon with his fragile human toy. While everyone was still milling about and getting settled, Adrian claimed some space and sat down, sprawling out taloned limbs and relaxing. As people around them began to get settled, he decided that a dark and sinister shadow in that corner would attact, not repel, a decent sized portion of the populace - a fact he enjoyed, though he'd rather not nave company other than what he'd brought with him. The scrawny human sat limply like a ragdoll and stared with vacant pale blue eyes at his dirty toes. Not that he could see them if he wanted to. Adrian twirled one talon in his pet's greasy brown hair as he filled the space they occupied with an illusion of people gathering and chattering amongst themselves in hushed tones. Seeing as how countless centuries had given Adrian plenty of practice, the real visitors who sat next to his specters had no idea that they weren't flesh-and-blood as well - they even felt appropriately solid when bumped or touched. The glamour Adrian could cast fooled every living creature, and the undead feared him for his prowess. The hatching began and Adrian absently watched dragon after colorful dragon burst from its ovoid prison and bond itself for life to a humanoid creature, all the while fondling his pet. An older woman, dark skinned and dark haired save for a rougish white streak caught his evil eyes. Perhaps there was something about her, but perhaps it was only the unusual cut of her clothing...

Layne dozed uncharacteristically through class, taking notes but not paying any attention whatsoever. Though the writing on the page was his, he didn't remember a word of the lecture. All he could remember was that Donna was going to be introducing him to the shy Hawaiian girl Leilani tonight at L.C.'s. "Elsie's" was a popular hangout among that middle crowd between the painfully popular and everybody else, a place where Donna wouldn't be caught dead without a darn good reason and a place where Layne would - and did - spend an occasional evening just for the heck of it. Elsie's was a bowling alley, and a rather retro one at that, with giant daisies on the walls and shag carpet in the lounge. It was a great place to just hang out. Lost in thought, Layne stepped out into the hallway, and just stopped. There, walking towards him was a tall slim woman, dark eyes, bronzed skin, dark hair, save for the white streak running it's length. Dressed in a rather risque one-piece with accenting vest and short shorts, she walked right down the hall towards him. It wasn't the clothes (or what they almost didn't hide) that caught Layne's eye, it was the vibrant intelligent spark in her eyes. Layne stepped out to intercept the beauty. "Hi, I'm Layne." he said, and instantly felt like an idiot. He never had before, but there was something different about this girl. "I know." she said, her rich voice much more sultry than he would have expected. As if by magic, Donna was there. "Oh Layne! I see you've met Leilani! Great! I'll see you both at Elsie's tonight? Great!" And then she was gone. Leilani gave a feral grin, and she too was off before Layne could get another word out. What happened to 'shy'? Layne watched her svelte figure dissapear down the hallway - he couldn't help but stare. He'd fallen helplessly for that girl. * * * Layne arrived at Elsie's much earlier than Donna had instructed him. He felt an urge to do some actual bowling, and he knew that he wouldn't get any done if Donna caught him first - she was diabolical when it came to her little plans. 'A sweaty man makes a petty first impression...' But Layne didn't care about that - he'd already made a fool of himself with Leilani. She had her "first impression" and whether or not he was sweaty when - if - she arrived at Elsie's made no difference at all. After bowling a nice game - not perfect, but far from dissapointing, Layne heard Donna's squeal. Leilani had arrived, obviously. Choosing to forgo another game, Layne stepped up from the lane and stopped there next to the row of barstools for spectators and waited. Dressed in indigo-dyed jeans and a black buttondown shirt with an eastern dragon silkscreened on the back, Layne looked both in and out of place standing there - if it hadn't been for the rented particolor bowling shoes, he could have been just about anywhere. Taking a drink of the acidic and yet fruity sweet bubbly drink in his glass, Layne silently praised the Coke people, and awaited the onslaught that Donna was sure to bring with her. Donna and Leilani advanced on him like a pair of velociraptors, dressed in no way alike - but carefully so, such that they would not clash, and would look killer together. Layne carefully kept this thought hidden as the girls' matched stride brought them closer to him. "Layne..." Donna began, but before another word was spoken, Leilani draped herself over him, as if to claim ownership. "... this is Leilani. Leilani, Layne. There. Now you've been formally introduced. I'm off to encourage the freshmen..." "In that, she could 'encourage' just about anything." Leilani whispered into his ear. "If that blouse was cut any lower..." Layne was hard pressed to keep a straight face. He's been thinking the exact same thing. Leilani was definitely on his wavelength. "Donna said you were looking for a date to the Spring Formal." Leilani said. Layne grinned. "Always looking, and never finding what I'm looking for." he said, carefully evading her question. "Would you like to play a game?" Leilani grinned ferally. "I'd love to." With that she released him and swept off to claim a pair of bowling shoes. Layne was just shocked. She was just perfect for him. It was unreal. Very unreal. He shook his head clear and went to set up the game, carefully allowing Leilani to be first, so that he could wait for her to return before the first frame was bowled. It took a bit longer than he expected, but she came, and even in multicolored shoes, she was to die for. "I hope you don't mind, but I ordered some cheesebread with that killer garlic sauce - I couldn't eat before. Donna gets me all nervous..." Leilani said, striding into the area and hefting the only ball in the return - his 12 pound black marbled ball. Layne was silent. When she bowled that strike... it was all over. He had to have her.

Adrian grinned, and the hatching went on. Dragon after dragon. It would be over soon, as the number of presented youths dwindled rapidly. From reading the minds of those nearest him, Adrian learned that a feast would follow. As immortal evil, he did not need food, though he did enjoy hot blood from time to time, but his pet did. Conjuring the flavor of the soda had reminded him to feed his pet - it wouldn't be hard. The hardest part was getting the unresponsive body to chew and swallow without injury. Getting food was no problem. Once the hatching was over, Adrian chose a character at random and projected them to claim a seat and a portion - Tall and sleek, Donna was the center of attention at the table. It was easy to make his illusion eat, but the limp boy... rather difficult. The meal passed uneventfully for Adrian and his pet, but "Donna" had to turn down several dates and a dance or twelve... and then Adrian remembered who exactly Leilani was...

The next few days were a blur, but it was no surprise that when the night of the Spring Formal came around, it was Leilani who came around on Layne's arm. He picked her up early in his uncle's classic Ford, dressed to kill in a finely tailored tux with tails, of course. Leilani stepped out in a green snakeskin-textured dress that hugged every curve and showed plenty of leg. It was a good thing Layne had fallen for her previously, or he'd have been slobbering all over her. Oddly, Layne wondered what exactly was different about her, and then shook the thought out of his head. Why was he second-guessing the perfect woman? * * * The dance went well, and in short order, Layne found himself driving Leilani home. Suddenly, she grabbed the wheel and hauled the truck over towards the side of the road. Layne fought to keep the classic out of the ditch. "What's gotten into you?" Layne demanded. "I'm sorry Layne..." Leilani said with an irresistable cute pout. "I... I..." Tears began to roll down the girl's face. Layne parked the truck. "Leilani... what's wrong?" Leilani sobbed. "My father's been recalled to Hawaii. We're leaving tomorrow night - redeye flight back." Layne took the sobbing girl into his arms, not caring that her mascara would run onto the rented tux - comforting her was more important than losing the deposit. "It'll be okay, Leilani..." Leilani cried harder. "But..." Layne rocked her back and forth, rubbing her back and making what he hoped was a comforting 'shh...' "Layne... " "Yes Leilani?" "If I ask something of you, will you do it?" Layne considered. He expected she'd want his body... all the girls did. Not that he was vain about it. "Sure..." "DIE!" she hissed, and began to change. Her sleek limbs melted together, and suddenly Layne found himself trapped in the car with a 30-foot python - one that was out for blood.

The feast waned, and eventually the dining hall was cleared. Adrian settled himself in a corner and decided to have a little dark fun with his pet. However, before he decided exatly what he'd do, a large opal black beast of a dragon materialized in the midst of the room and roared - a sound which ought to bring any number of people to investigate. Not that Adrian cared. No one could see him anyway. An oily green smoke began to issue forth from the dragon's nose and mouth, pouring out of it's own volition. It began to coalesce into a solid shape, growing features, hair. With a laugh the green gas took it's final form: Ellaein. Death, the black dragon, sat back and watched, as comfortable here as anywhere else the terrible twosome visited. Ellaein appeared, for all practical purposes, to be a young girl. But she was far from innocent. Ghastly eyes glared directly at Adrian. "You're not supposed to be here." she said. Adrian knew the room was empty, as he could see things that were invisible to the mortal eye. She was addressing him. "Wherever I am, that is where I am supposed to be." Adrian said at last, his gnashing teeth making his voice gruesome to hear. "You're not supposed to be here." Ellaein repeated, levitating crosslegged, though she had no physical self that needed to defy gravity. "This is Baeris'... not some demon-infested slum where you can play dirty games with filthy little humans and think you can get away with it." Adrian stood, his full height bringing his head precariously close to the high ceiling of the room. "You mock me." He growled, setting the filthy human on the ground in the corner behind him. "You mock me." Ellaein said, now clearly mocking the gigantic demon. Suddenly her shape began to change. Curled rams horns and wicked talons, she took his form, though green and oddly floating. Adrian took a swipe at the malignantly benign spirit, scattering her image into the green oily smudge that she was, physically. After a moment, Ellaein reformed herself. "Let's take this outside." the girl-ghost growled. Strangely, Adrian accepted, and followed the floating green girl out of the Healing Den into the massive 'parking lot' outside. Death rose from the ground and followed, whether due to his own interest or Ellaein's influence made no difference. In his anger, Adrian had done something he had never before done while he kept a pet - he left the boy unattended. Out of Adrian's circle of influence, Layne began to stir, broken fingers twitching and eyelids fighting to open. A weak moan escaped his lips. The last thing he remembered, he was fighting his date-turned-python in his uncle's car... and now he was here? He tried to speak, but found his voice hoarse and his tongue dry. Something touched his face, and he raised his hand to brush it off. He was shocked to find his arm and hand emaciated and skeletal. The 'thing' he brushed from his cheek was a long greasy knotted clump of his own hair. His skin was bruised and scraped, and his clothes were unrecognizable tatters. From one nightmare into another, this was all too much for him to take, and he blissfully slipped into unconciousness. Baeris, having heard the roar of Death, begrudgingly roused herself from what she had intended to spend her evening occupied with, and went to see what trouble Ellaein and her dragon were causing in the dining hall. Fortunately, or unfortunately, the tall healer found the hall empty, save for one pitiful creature. Reminded instantly of a young musician who'd appeared at Buenos in similar condition, she sighed. I remember Merai. Dulath said quietly in her head, and Baeris reminisceed for a moment as a call went out for other medics to give her a helping hand. Though she could easily have picked up the wasted figure - though his height rivalled hers - she did not dare, for there was no way to truly tell what state his body was in. With the aid of a few other philanthropists, the gaunt figure was taken off to the infirmary, where he would be taken care of. * * * After a few moments, Adrian gruffly returned to the dining hall. Once they'd gotten outside, Ellaein had evaporated, leaving him to retrace his steps through the maze of the healing den. Unfortunately, what he sought in the hall had vanished. Adrian roared. "Where is Layne!?" Be hind him, Ellaein laughed. "Baeris has him now." * * * In the Infirmary, Baeris herself undertook to clean up the battered boy, quietly taking each bruise, scrape, and broken bone into account. What had happened to him? How did a creature in such horrible condition get to - and into - the healing den? Merai could walk, at least. There was no way this young, dirty man had walked in with this left ankle broken and his right foot scraped skinless. It looked more like a piece of meat than a critical appendage. Not long after the boy's wounds were cleaned up, the infirmary was emptied again, with only the unconcious boy and one assistant to keep an eye on him, lest he should awake and be scared. It didn't take the demon long to find the infirmary. With keen senses, he just followed the scent of his quarry there. Angry, he entered the infirmary, strode up to the bed, and siezed Layne, hauling him out of the bed like a ragdoll. "Bad Layne... running off like that. You don't need these people... What did they do to you?" He growled, taking in the myriad bandages and wraps that now covered the boy so that he looked almost like a mummy. "We're leaving." With that, Adrian turned from the room, and left. Of course, the healer present did not see or hear any of this, except for that the bandaged boy vanished from the bed, blanket and all - and she knew she had not fallen asleep - she had not even blinked! What Adrian didn't count on was that his healer was empathic - she felt something angry enter the room just before the boy dissappeared... * * * The empath tapped tentatively on Baeris' door. The healer had not yet gone to sleep, and was quick to open it, fearing the worst. "Yes?" "He's gone." The empath said, and Baeris exhaled a heavy sigh. "Something angry came in and stole him under my very nose." Now it was Baeris' turn to be frustrated. Doubly frustrated as Ellaein put in an appearance. "I know where he is!" the ghastly green girl said, floating closer to the healer than Baeris liked. "I'll bring him back..." and then she was gone. The empath shuddered. Baeris nodded in solemn understanding and sympathy. * * * Adrian skulked out of the Den and into the parking lot again, his great talons scraping like iron shovels against pavement. Wrapping himself in darkness, Adrian leaned back against a wall and slept, crushing Layne to his massive chest like a child's toy.

Layne stretched, enjoying the satin sheets on his bed and the soft downy pillows beneath his head. Early morning sunlight brightened the room, making it cheerful and comfortable. Tonight he had a date with the gorgeous Leilani - and there wasn't a single thing wrong in the world... Well, except for a nagging uneasiness he couldn't shake caused by nightmares he couldn't remember. * * * The day flew by quickly, and Layne found himself impatiently waiting for the limousine to arrive. He had the roses, and was dressed to kill in a white tux, ready for a night out and some dancing. It would be wonderful; he just knew it.

Adrian dozed, quietly filing Layne's mind with what he wanted the boy to believe, even as his dark claws dug unintentional trenches in the boy's scarred flesh. "Found you!" Ellaein screeched, causing Adrian's eyes to fly open. "You little wretch!" Adrian roared. "Why won't you just leave me alone!?" "Because you're cute!" Ellaein said in a sickeningly sweet way. Adrian shuddered. "Go away, spirit girl. I'm not interested." "Neither am I!" Ellaein laughed maniacally. "But there is someone who is. I can't tell you for certain, but there's someone here who's dying to meet you." "What are you talking about?" Adrian asked angrily, his speech gravelly and unpleasant to hear. He clutched Layne to him, as if to prevent the evil spirit of Ellaein from seeing him. "You have to be a candidate." Ellaein laughed. "And if you refuse to stand for the hatching, I'll never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever leave you alone." Adrian considered. "Let me think about it, you foul wench. Give me until daybreak..." Ellaein vanished. * * * Morning came for the people residing at the Healing Den, and as those present breakfasted, a young man came strolling into the dining hall. His hair was long and dark, and his skin was the color of polished ebony. His eyes shone like black diamonds. All eyes were upon him. It wasn't exactly odd for strangers to come walking in, but usually they were escorted by a rider from one of the worlds who had chosen them as a potential candidate. "Welcome to the Healing Den." Baeris said at last, breaking the fragile silence that had accompanied him in. "Thank you." the dark boy said. "I'm supposed to be a candidate?" Baeris smiled kindly. "I'll have someone help you get settled in. What is your name?" "Adrian." Ellaein floated mischeviously up around the high ceiling. She wasn't fooled - she could see that this Adrian was not what he seemed - she could see the hulking red-black demon with the pitiful corpselike body of Layne draped carelessly over his shoulder. What would come of this?

As if inspired by the muse and her new green's body, a dark blue from Marantanth's portion of the sands stood and bellowed loudly, breaking his shell with gusto. The green bellowed back, trying to shout him down. Then one of the candidates, a young dark skinned man toward the back got a tremendous shove to the front, by an invisible Ellaein. The boy who claimed to be called Adrian, turned and visciously snarled at the area above him, where the ghost hovered - visible only to him. The blue dragon, who had long hornlike knobs from the back of his head, growled ferociously and stood upon Adrian's shoulders with his hard forelimbs. Adrian, turn back to your right shape. I can see you. And that ... thing. I would love to help you hurt her. If only we could touch her... "Oh, we'll be able to touch her, Tuskai, eventually she'll inhabit another body instead of flying around like this..." The demon uncloaked his form and scared half the onlookers witless - for just a minute. His powers were very strong indeed, but they were also a bit muddled by the new telepathic link in his head. So strongly did Tuskai feel like rending Ellaein into bits, that Adrian forgot that he had a human in tow. Hatching by Baeris Kshau Adrian's Black Blue Tuskai (Finnish, anguish) - 22 feet of condensed anger and agression.

That human [that Adrian had forgotten about] sort of slumped to the ground, and was picked up along with many of the other young candidates who had fainted or were cowering when the demon exposed his huge shape. They didn't think anything of it, since Baeris and only one other had been in charge of the lad they knew as Layne. He, like the others in the group of candidates, was taken off to the side to sit and have cool water doused on his forehead. He seemed quite the worse for wear, however, not seeming to know where he was, or why he wasn't in a tux any more... * * * While all the dragons had been hatching, and everyone had been doing the typical things that people did while watching this... Layne was having a lot of trouble figuring out what the hell was happening. He was seated and fairly comfortable, had a mug of water in his hand, and had been given something less soiled and better fitting than the ragged outfit he'd been wearing when the demon Adrian had been carrying him around. He was starving. But there was something more to that starvation. He had a biscuit, then a piece of meat, and someone even found him some bread and cheese. What he wanted was perhaps a hot dinner. Or something just raw enough to chew on. Raw? There was something he didn't really want to think about. Concerned about his state of mind, the fact that there were dragons and no prom night, Layne sat looking at the ripples in the mug of water. A pale blue shape appeared distorted in the image. You need my help, Layne. Come with me, and I promise that I will do everything in my power to keep you safe. "Why do I need safe? I buckle up when I drive..." He said, vaguely unaware that the dragon had spoken into his mind. It might have hurt him, except that this dragon was meant to bond to him. Anyone else, might have been an invasive attack and thrown him into epileptic fits. The pale blue took Layne's arm, nudging him and finally getting the abused boy to look at him fully. Worry danced in the dragon's orange-yellow eyes. But suddenly Layne realized that this was all very very real. He passed out. Do not worry, the pale blue offspring of Treyeth and Kaprath said to everyone nearby. I will handle him. He needs to be safe... "Thank you," Baeris said, "I was wondering where he'd gotten to..." Kaitsmath, the dragon supplied his name. He was small but wanted the helpers to put Layne on his back so they could carry him into the kitchen, where he'd get a better meal. Kaitsmath was hungry too - but he wondered if this 'hot meal' of his bond's couldn't be made into something more fresh and raw? Hatching by Baeris Kshau Layne's Light Blue Kaitsmath (Estonian, defender) - 45 feet of well balanced, strong hearted dragon.

Baeris Kshau's Healing Den