Ch 12- Growing closer

After the group finished a meal Mac explained that he'd get a guardian and send Casey home first then come back to discuss what they would do about Casey's training.

Mac picked up Casey and held him in his arms; Casey rubbed his head against Mac's chest in a natural and warm manner. They stopped by Rose's and Mac asked if she could go to his house and stay by Casey until he came home. She of course agreed and they all walked over.

Mac took Casey to his room and gently set him on the bed, he went to grab a chair for Rose and then picked up Casey's ruby and gently handed it to him. "Go to bed early and get a good rest, you'll probably be more busy from now". Mac rubbed his head and lightly smiled; his face looked a bit apologetic.

"Mac. Thank you for caring about me so much". Mac was completely blindsided by Casey's dazzling smile; he absently bent down and lightly kissed Casey's forehead and smiled warmly back. "Meeting and caring for may be one of the greatest honors I'll ever have in this life. Thank you for coming to me Casey".

Casey's face flushed and he blankly stared at Mac's handsome face in a daze. He then bowed his head and crawled under his sheets to hide his embarrassment. However his tails slight wagging motion gave his feelings away, Mac grinned and patted his back before getting up to leave; upon reaching the door he looked back one last time and turned around. As he closed the door Mac heard the faintest "good night" come from under the covers.

He turned his head back and said softly "goodnight my small dragon" before he closed the door and left.

Casey lay under the blanket in a daze and slowly crawled and poked his head out from under the covers. As he raised his head his eyes locked with Rose and he froze; motionless.

Rose looked a bit awkward, trying to smile gently as normal but a bit failing in doing so. "Hi Rose". Casey tried talking normally to cover his embarrassment. Rose cooperated by giving a light cough and speaking fluently.

"I'm glad your awake and okay, I was very worried when I heard you fell into a coma. I also think I owe you an apology". Rose lowered her head and spoke in a solemn tone. "Because I was lacking in knowledge and understanding of spiritual power I guided you wrongly. I'm sorry Casey, you almost got hurt because of my ignorance".

Casey was stunned after hearing her words. "How could this be your fault Rose? No one would have expected this sort of scenario. I don't blame you or think you have any fault in this. Even if you weren't around this would have happened to me regardless because I don't understand myself. It's not your fault but rather my own, so please don't feel bad because of me".

Casey spoke in a firm, unwavering tone totally different from his usual self in every way. Casey himself didn't notice that he was slowly changing and growing in his thinking and acting.

Rose felt awkward, she actually knew inside she can't be blamed because Casey was unique in every way. But as his teacher she couldn't help but feel he was her responsibility; as such she felt that she let his trust down. However facing such a kind, focused, and assured dragon she nodded and tried to smile showing her agreement.

Casey smiled back. "I am feeling a bit tired now so I'm gonna try to get some rest. Don't over think things Rose, and you also don't need to stay in the room. Your welcome to go rest and relax in the living room, Good night". Casey gave her one last grin before sticking his head back under the covers; he had already forgotten the earlier embarrassment of his and Mac's interaction being seen.

"Goodnight Casey". Rose patted the side of the bed, got up and went to the living room as requested. She sat alone on the sofa and felt like a wieght had been lifted off her shoulders. She also thought back to the interaction of Mac and Casey and chuckled to herself; seems her meddling before was the right choice.

Meanwhile Mac had already arrived back at his grandfathers house and the two of them and the Nova elders were sitting down in discussion.

"Let's be honest the two of us can't stay in the village long term, we're old and it's not easy for us to constantly teach and give the dragon the guidance he needs. So we were thinking of sending one of our younger generation to stay instead. Because Casey's spiritual is unstable it'd be safer to have him and the youngster living in the same house; in case something happens". Mac frowned upon hearing the elders words, him and Casey lived together and he preferred to keep it a two person world. Plus if a young Nova moves in their sole work and purpose would be guiding Casey; they would essentially be stuck together like glue. The more Mac thought of it the more unbearable it becomes.

Mac looked unsettled. "Do they have to stay in the same house?". The elders looked at Mac with disgust. "Unless your okay with risking his spirit floating away again, then no they don't". Mac was bothered but he knew he couldn't argue when the facts had been laid out to him.

"If someone moves in we either need to make a new house for Casey or he need to share a room with one of us". Mac's mind continued to turn on how to handle this. "Wait if the Nova moves in, that means I can convince Casey to live with me in my room. Which would keep us closer then Casey and the nova". Mac mind was processing things fast and he finally showed a faint smile.

"Alright we can do that, in the meantime is one of you going back to your tribe first? Or do you both plan on going at the same time?".

"One of us will go back to discuss with our tribe and bring the selected person over; while the other will stay here to monitor and start training the dragon". Mac and Tala both thought that this was a good idea and nodded.

"Then you can set off first thing tomorrow, get a good rest tonight". The discussion was finished and the group went their separate ways for the night.

Mac made his way back home and greeted Rose. "You can head home, thank you for watching him for me". Rose just shook her said saying she was glad to stay with him for a bit. She also showed a grin to Mac before speeaking lightly. "I see you took my words to heart, you both seem much happier". Mac felt a bit embarrassed hearing her words, he didn't speak but gave a light nod and told her good night.

Mac crept his way to Casey's room and carefully opened the door, he made his way to the bed and gently got in. Then he reached his arms out and pulled Casey towards his chest. Mac curled his body around the small dragon before his tense nerves from these two weeks finally relaxed allowing him a peaceful sleep.

Casey felt like he was burning when he woke up and he raised his head in a daze as he looked around. He then realized why he felt so hot, Mac's body had completely encased his own. Casey turned to Mac's face and gently nuzzled it with his own, Mac opened one eye and glanced at Casey. Then he tightened his hold around him and rubbed his face against Casey's wings a few times before reluctantly letting go and sitting up.

The two greeted each other warmly and Mac went back to his room to wash and get dressed for the day. The two walked out of their rooms almost at the same time; so for a change of pace Casey helped Mac make breakfast. The two were in harmony with eachother as they sat at the table. As they ate Mac started to mention what was discussed last night and what would happen next.

"Casey, how do you feel about moving into my room? The Novas say it's safest for your future teacher to live in our house. But we don't have any extra rooms, so would you mind staying with me during the time they live here?".

From the moment Casey heard Mac's first words he fell into a daze imaging what it would be like. Then as he vaguely made out the rest of Mac's words he got even more excited.

"Their family was growing in size!" Casey was looking forward to a livelier household. After brewing in happiness for a moment he turned to Mac. Mac had been closely watching Casey's reaction and was surprised when he saw how excited he became.

"That sounds good to me! What's the name of my teacher?". Mac was happy until he heard the second sentence; it seemed Casey wasn't excited because of living with him.

Mac replied while sulking a bit, "I don't know yet, one of the Nova elders is going back to their tribe to discuss and pick a suitable teacher for you".

Casey nodded in understanding. "Then we'll have you move over rooms today and get the other room cleaned for our upcoming guest". The two got busy cleaning house and doing a much needed deep clean.

The front door was knocked and Mac went over to open it, he saw the Nova elders outside and opened the door to let them in. Casey quickly came over and greeted them enthusiastically.

"I came over to give a short goodbye and head off, I'll probably be back in three days or so with your teacher". Casey smiled and nodded before saying a warm goodbye.

The elder left behind looked down at Casey and stated, "in the meantime I'll be your teacher, in your state you can't wait another day to start training".

Casey winced a bit but he understood his situation well enough, so he straightened up and tried to motivate himself.

"I'll be in your care then", Casey showed his temporary teacher a wide grin.

"If you don't mind I'd like to go through your memories to see how you've used spirit power so far". Casey nodded in understanding, so the Nova did the same as what happened to Mac in their tribe.

"Ho ho, interesting. It seems you've been tapping into your spiritual power only in your sleep. You may have a harder time finding the feeling to control it, we should get started right away; if you keep crossing over subconsciously like this you may end up in danger".

Casey knew from previous conversation that the dream before his coma wasn't a dream. But based off what he just heard it seems that was not his first spiritual dream, but the other dreams were too hazy for him to recall still, so he brought it up to the elder.

"It's not too surprising you can't recall the other dreams, your power was still manifesting; as it grows and you learn to use it such a thing won't happen anymore. Eventually you will have full control of the situation and it'll be the same as experiencing things with your actual body". Casey pondered for a moment "sounds pretty cool".

The elder glanced at him "I don't recommend you doing it, it takes a toll on your spiritual power. It is also your most vulnerable state, if that get attacked while like that it can cause irreversible damage. So don't take this lightly". Casey abruptly shut his mouth and lowered his eyes in embarrassment.

"Now then it's about time we introduced ourselves, my name is Neal and I'll be guiding you these few days. You may either call me teacher or Neal; whichever you prefer".

"Im Casey, I'll be in your care, teacher". Casey spoke hastily, trying to make a somewhat belated good impression.

Neal smiled and turned to Mac. "Do you have a somewhat empty and quiet place for him to practice?". Mac touched the back of his head in embarrassment and could only lead them the Casey's bedroom.

Neal sighed "guess we'll just have to make do, thank you. Please do not interrupt us while the door is closed". Neal shooed Mac away and guided Casey sit with him to start his spiritual training journey.