THE MOMENT
"That guy should be simple," Ark nodded at a stranger ahead of him and Sandy.
"I don't know," Sandy shrugged. "It's dark and late, and he still seems pretty confident about his stroll downtown." The two were already following the stranger Ark picked out, but she still had to state her objections.
"Well, he's the only one around and we've only got a few minutes before we have to go back. It's either him or no one," Ark replied. The unknown target had managed to hear pieces of the conversation despite their hushed tones. He pieced together they were planning to threaten him and he sighed.
Isaac wasn't intentionally trying to attract trouble, he honestly didn't think there would be anyone out at 3 in the morning, and he was only taking a short walk. He wasn't afraid so much as mildly put out. If they did approach him, it was likely going to be another chore of interaction and he wasn't feeling sociable at all. But, on the positive side, it did happen quickly. A half block after he heard their steps and whispered conversation they were suddenly next to him, herding him into an alley even darker than the night already was.
"We're kind of in a hurry, Mister," Sandy said. "Give us your valuables and we can all go our separate ways." Despite the darkness, Isaac had fantastic eyesight. He was suprised to discover his muggers were just a pair of teens. A short girl with medium, sand-colored hair and a taller, pale boy with a long rainbow ponytail.
"You're... you're just kids..," Isaac said.
"Yeah, kids that are mugging you," Ark nodded. His rainbow bangs wobbled with the motion. "Hand something over," he said.
"Oh, this won't do at all...," Isaac shook his head. "... you're too young to be on this path. I suppose it's time to teach you a lesson to help you correct it."
"Told you," Sandy giggled. "He's not even scared."
"That's right," Isaac nodded, but Ark let loose a heavy dramatic sigh to speak over him.
"Is it still worth it if we use force?" he asked Sandy and completely ignored Isaac. The would-be victim had no idea of knowing the history of his two attackers. He didn't know their dynamics, or even who they were. So, he had no idea how big that question was coming from Ark; but, Sandy knew what it meant. He was admitting she was right, and he was letting her take the lead. And, it was because they were the only two there to witness it.
"A little bit...," she nodded. "It's something at least."
"I think I might have something to say about that," Isaac reminded them he was there. He chuckled with a hint of malevolence. He wasn't evil by nature, but if it helped steer them into the right it was worth it to scare them a little bit. "You thought I was an easy target," he laughed again. It was quieter, but deeper, and more sinister as his eyes began to glow red. "This human form is just a disguise...," he said as he let his true nature show partially. Isaac grew two feet taller and dark scales covered his face and skin all the way down. "... to keep my dragon form hidden," he smiled to show them his large, sharp teeth.
"I TOLD YOU!" Sandy laughed again. "
"Yeah yeah... that's unfortunate I guess. If he's not human we don't get any points," Ark complained as both teens turned away from the hulking humanoid dragon. "I thought it'd be easier."
"Hey," Isaac called out. "You're leaving?" A part of him expected them to suddenly apologize for the attempted mugging in the process of pleading for their lives. Not that he was going to kill them, he was only going to rough them up mildly to get the point across. But, they skipped the whole thing and instead decided to just walk away.
"Does it matter?" Ark turned back to ask Isaac. "We're not mugging you after all. You get to go home and keep all your stuff too."
"I don't think you understand the situation you've found yourselves in," Isaac said. He huffed out a small burst of flame for effect. "You two threatened me, and now it's time I return the favor."
"That's not a threat... that's barely a threat of a threat," Sandy said, then she shrugged. "But, okay. You threatened us; that's the favor returned. Have a nice night," she waved with a smile.
"I'm a dragon," Isaac said. He was as confused as he felt they should've been. Did they not understand? They were kids after all. Maybe their minds weren't completely developed yet.
"I'm a sand elemental," Sandy said. She raised her hand into his view, and her fingers disintegrated into sand that drifted away on the breeze. Then, she sprouted brand new fingers.
"Vampire," Ark opened his mouth to show his fangs, but he didn't smile. "You're not special. We're gonna leave now," he said as they turned their backs to him again.
"Where are you going?" He asked.
"School," Sandy was kind enough to stop and answer while Ark kept walking. "We only had a short amount of time to get something valuable from someone. Quest failed, now we have to go back. Bye, Mr. Dragon!" she giggled with an almost mocking tone as she left the alley to catch up with Ark.
Isaac was left alone with his thoughts and mostly confusion. He lamented his ripped clothes as he shrunk back to his normal human disguise and shook his head as turned toward home. He had been intent on teaching them a lesson, and it felt like he learned one instead. But, it was late, and he was too confused to piece it together there and then. Of course, no one ever accused him of being a deep thinker. In fact, among dear friends, he even had a reputation for being simple.