The Wastelands

"This is pure torture," growled Statson, tucking at his collar of his black and white suit. "How can a man breath in these dang things."

"Don't touch anything on that suit." Bryson snide back as he, too, was adjusting his light blue suit. "I just got everything perfect."

"Can I, at least, loosen the tie, just a little bit," Statson g.r.o.a.n.e.d at, as he pulled at his tie.

"No, it will ruin the look," Bryson denied. "We must look the part." Het tsked. "I don't know why you're complaining so much I let you wear that notorious hat." Nodding to that cowboy on top of Statson's head.

"You never let me do anything, Ice Boy," Statson gritted out. "And no-one touches my hat."

Of course, Bryson took that as an invitation to have an alpha male contest and stepped up to Statson, threadedly.

Druid just rolled her eyes. "Guys." When they kept staring at each other, "Guys!" Raising her voice, trying to catch their attention. When they finally tore their eyes away from each other. With those two, why does it always have to be like this? "I think we have more urgent matters to worry about, hmm? Maybe I don't know trying live through the night."

Statson, being the a.d.u.l.t, was the one who backed out first. Rubbing the back of his neck with a sigh. "Yeah, Fire Princess, you're right. Hell, I hate this."

"We all do," Bryson mumbled, his arms folded across his c.h.e.s.t.

"It's not going to be fun, that's for sure." Druid agreed, then she pouted. "And no-one noticed my dress either." She was wearing a one-shoulder light blue dress with darker edges and split on the side of the skirt. She had a simple neckless with matching earrings. And her red hair was swept up and curled at the bottom.

Druid knew she looked good, but it was nice to be appreciated once and a while.

On clue, Bryson cupped Druid's cheek with his gloved hand. "You look beautiful."

Druid leaned into the touch. "You don't look half bad yourself," she whispered, looking up at Bryson tenderly.

"Of course, I am. I'm perfect." Bryson replied with his usual arrogant flare.

She couldn't help but chuckle at his very Bryson response. 'He's so cute.'

"Yeah, that's enough." Statson interrupted as the two teens glanced his way. "Are you guys done flirting? We have a war to go too,"

"It's a party, not a war," Bryson denied. He was huffing a little. He was probably disappointed that his time with Druid was cut short.

'Which makes him even sweeter.'

"Excuse me, the last party I had the bad luck of attending, the whole outpost blew up. With us inside, if you recall," Statson argued.

"But you met us, so it's not all bad, wasn't it?" Druid asked with Statson puppy dog eyes.

"Um." Statson stepped back a little, hiding his eyes with his hat. "Can I plead the fifth?

"Nope, because I know you love us!" Druid teased as she peaked underneath Statson's hat and saw how his eye began to twitch.

Okay, it felt like Druid was poking at a bear, maybe a little too much, but come on, it was too juicy to pass up. How could a girl resist? Then Bryson shook his head, signalling her to stop. 'Fine, take my fun away.'

Statson cleared his throat. "Anyways, I don't see this event being any different."

Bryson said, glaring in Statson's direction, "And who's felt is it, anyway?"

Statson argued, "Ha, watch…" but sighed. "But I can't argue with that."

Druid nodded her head in agreement. "You have a point, but I'm worried more about after the party."

"Yes, the party is more like a meet and greet to apiece or sponsors. So I highly doubt anything would happen there," Bryson agreed. "The problem is trying to get close to Deakin and his associates."

"Yeah, I don't see a couple of kids like you getting his attention.' Statson spoke up.

"Are you any better?' Bryson stated.

"No, I'll be even worse," Statson stated, taking off his hat and his fingers through his hair.

Bryson had an outraged expression. "Don't you dare mess up your hair!"

Statson ignored Bryson. "Hell, I'm not the right person for this."

"Don't worry, we got this," Druid said, cheerfully. "I have a feeling that we're going to find out something interesting." Druid turned her back to the guys with a smile, her hand clasped behind her back. Druid went out the door with a skip in her step.

"Why do I feel a chill running up my spine," Statson said as he watched Druid leave.

"Because for a human, you're not stupid," Bryson answered, too was watching Druid leave.

***

Rylan Deakin was talking business with an associate when something caught his eye. It was a certain man in a cowboy hat and two teens following in his wake.

Turn away, he nodded to the side, and two people, one with blond hair and the other with grey, moved into the crowd.

***

'Ah, I knew this would happen,' though Bryson watched Druid dance from one partner to the next, carefree as always. Seemingly, though it was always more than that with her. Whereas he glanced to her left, there stood a tall man with dark looks. As he surmised, Rylan Deakin was a hard man to get close to.

As soon as they stepped through the door, Deakin glanced at them and then dismissed them in that same second. Even though Bryson was expecting it, it didn't mean it was frustrating as hell.

The perfectionist in him wanted to storm up to the man and have him acknowledge that Bryson existed. No, Bryson wouldn't settle for any less than Deakin kneeling at his feet.

"Ice Boy, keep your cool," Statson said, and Bryson turned to see Statson holding a glass. By the smell alone gin and lime. "You're too damn focused. Need to see the bigger picture."

"You're drinking. Why am I not surprised." Bryson scoffed at Statson's thoughtlessness.

"It's a party, Ice Boy, gotta loosen up." Statson tone was lighthearted, but his eyes were as sharp as ever. "Don't want to disappoint, now do we."

Bryson gave Statson a thoughtful look. "Statson…" With Statson, Bryson could never understand if Statson was one of the dumbest men he ever met or one of the sharpest.

Statson slapped Bryson back. "Now, go and dance and have fun." Statson leaned onto Bryson's shoulder, heavily. "You might learn something," Statson whispered in his ear.

"Ha, my clothes. Get off." Bryson sneered but lowering his voice. "Like what? We can't even get close."

"Believe me. I'm more than sure now that Deakin's behind this," Statson answered. "All we need is the how and the why. we don't necessarily need the information from the man himself." Statson nodded to Druid, who was still merrily dancing, away. "See, Druid has the right idea."

Bryson didn't like admitting that Statson was right. "How?"

"Because he looked our way. Someone that high and mighty wouldn't even do that unless there's a reason." Statson advised as he pushed away from Bryson and staggered a little. "Ah, need another drink." Before disappearing into the crowd.

Bryson stood there for a second before he felt something looming over him. "Care to dance." A sweet voice said from behind.

Bryson stiffened as a memory from his childhood played through his mind.

***

A young Bryson was staring at his homework but didn't feel like working on it. "It's boring, too easy what the hell is with this crap school."

"Language kid language. You are way too smart to swear" A woman with a sweet voice kneeled to look the boy in the eye. "So, Tower Academy is not to your liking? Hmm?"

The boy glared at the woman with open hostility. "Who are you? A teacher" In his experience, all teachers were useless.

The woman smiled. "Of sorts. Maybe, I have something that'll make it less boring, hmm?"

***

"Talon?" Bryson said.

"Well, shall we." The woman prompted, brushing her grey hair behind her ear. In the corner of his eye, he spotted Druid talking to an old military man. Good, she's distracted, as he reluctantly took the woman into his arms. "You've changed so much; I didn't recognize you at first."

"You haven't changed at all, "Bryson said.

Talon smiled knowingly. "I haven't changed in a long time."

"What are you doing here?" Bryson asked, guarded.

Talon looked over Bryson's shoulder. "We're here because of a promise."

"We?" Just a hand slammed on his shoulder. "Garth."

"Hi, Bryson-boy, been a long time." Bryson was frozen as a man with long blond hair came within sight. "let's chat for a bit."