The Coming of Darkness and Rise of Light

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Walking away from her was so hard to do. I wanted to grab on and never let her out of my sight again. She smelled like home, like magic and power. Oh she was perfect I just wanted to keep her with me. But, I couldn't that wasn't going to work out for anyone in the end. I didn't want to scare her and make her run. I truly wanted her to accept me clearly first as Darren Quin and then hopefully she would be able to see through to the me no one on this plane had been able to catch more than a second glance at when I was bored and needed to watch their panic in seeing a monster. I needed her .. twenty six years of waiting for her … I needed her and everyone she had inside her.

I made it to the college and set up for my lecture I had changed into a royal blue dress shirt with dark grey slacks. It looked pretty snazzy and I wanted to make sure she watched me so I had a chance to watch her. Today's lecture was actually the closing of my semester of Myths and Reality and one of my favorite to talk about since it was all about the idea of mythical beings living in other planes of existence and what the implications of that would mean for this world. I also got to talk about me freely without giving away any secrets. The classes always ate this up and I got to have open discussions about magic, power, mortality and the idea of creatures that you believed in without proof that they were actually real. It was one of the only times I got to feel like myself. I couldn't wait to watch her reaction to everything. I would be able to gauge so much of her off of this class. The first few students started to file in talking in groups and picking their seats. As usual most of the girls got as close to the front as possible. I knew what I looked like and really I loved the attention but I wasn't in the mood today I was waiting for her. My mood started to spiral down the closer it got to 3:00pm. Maybe I had been wrong and she wouldn't show, how long would it take to find her again... she must be in the area I would find her again … where was she? Then, she stepped into the world her hair wore loosely in a bun on the top of her head. True to her word she sat in the back of the lecture hall and gave a small smile with a nod of her head to me. I sent her a salute of the hand and began the class.

Light-

Getting through traffic turned out to be not as quick as I had hoped and I found myself racing up the stairs to the lecture class just like a was a highschool sr. again. Too funny I thought wonder if he'll call me out if I'm actually late. I stepped into the room with a few minuets to spare and found a seat at the back like I said, I didn't want him to bring attention to me being there or maybe he just always gave an invite to people he randomly meets taking pictures.. I could think that if I wanted to right? He's eyes met mine so I gave him a small smile and nod he gave a salute/small wave and then asked everyone to settle down.

I sat listening to every word he said. He was incredibly good with words and brilliant. This turned out to be the last lecture of this course which was disappointing I wanted to hear more of his theories. The way he talked about mythical creatures made me feel like it wasn't just a “what if” but that he had actually walked among them and was sharing memories not just stories. It was such a cool take on a subject that I loved researching and following. I couldn't believe how fast the time went and as quickly as the lecture had started he was concluding. I was emotionally torn. So much had happened today meeting him in the field was amazing it really was a celebrity sighting and something in my own photography bucket list. Him asking me to come to his class after the complimenting my work was a dream.

Then, here listening to him describe different magics and their relationships to the creatures who use them and how serious he had gotten when someone had asked about the different types of dragons and would he consider a dracquoneous part of the dragon family or a chimera of sorts. He answered that a dracquoneous was simple that and more magic than either. Even from up here I could see his posture change, his eyes harden something about that creature struck a nerve in him. I loved the theory on the Dracquoneous race they were one of my favorite to study on my own since they seemed so plausible at least, to me.

Chairs were being pulled out and footsteps of people leaving brought my thoughts back and I watched him clearing up papers from his lecture. I sat and waited for everyone to leave I wanted to say thanks for inviting me and ask when the next time he was offering this course was. I wanted to hear more from him. I wanted to see that passion work it's magic in the lecture hall again. A pin could have dropped in the middle of that lecture and it would have sounded like a volcano erupting everyone was so intent on what he was saying. I got up and walked to the front of the room, he looked up from putting things away and quickly swept over to a seat falling into it with a cat like grace I knew I would never have.

“Ah, Light take a seat and let me know what you thought.”

Ok, I can do this butterflies ran through me sending electric wings fluttering. Something about his intensity made me feel so nervous but so excited. I wanted to prove to him that I wasn't just so silly girl like the ones at the front of the class. He was good looking, really good looking and famous which I'm sure those girls knew. Beyond that though, there was his aura and how he talked. There was totally a reason so many girls sat at the front and why I found him just a slight bit intimidating. I sat down in the seat beside him turning to face him. His eyes were so unusual with one being brown and the other blue they were burning through mine as he waited for a reply. Ok I thought I can do this mirror my thoughts for seconds ago.

“ Thank you for inviting me honestly Darren it was extremely interesting. I actually really enjoy this topic and have enough of my own personal time invested on the subject of mythical creatures I could probably run a lecture myself.” I said with a nervous laugh. Maybe too confident to lead off?

Eyebrows lifted “ Oh really, are you ready to talk to my superior and replace me then?” He let out a smooth laugh. “ So you enjoy the subject of mythical creatures. I will admit it's a favorite of mine as well. I love telling and explaining my theories on the subject.”

“I noticed that, you seemed very passionate about the topic. I didn't mean to offend you, I loved the fresh perspective on the subject. You made the creatures seem real like they were old friends. You're pretty impressive with your public speaking skills.”

“Well thank you my dear. Now tell me then if you are so inclined to answer why did you come down to talk to me now? I invited you to come and listen I'm surprised you stayed.”

“I wanted to say thanks for the invite -”

“Which you did, is that all you wanted to say to me Light?”

I paused and took the whole situation in, he was baiting me but for what reason? Did he actually want to talk to me, or was I boring him and he wanted me to get to the point so we could both leave? I pushed forward I wanted to know more about his theories and I wanted to hear him speak again, “No I wanted to know when your next classes are starting up. I want to sign up.”

“Ah, well sorry to say this one is my last for I would guess another year or two. I have other things I need to attend to.”

“Oh.”

“Although, it's not every day I meet a fellow photographer who also enjoys looking at the world through a more colourful lens would you care to join me tomorrow? I'm planning on going to Sage Falls to do some photography and update some of my shots.”
I beamed up at him I couldn't help it I felt so at home with him regardless of how intimidating he could be he was so interesting and I couldn't get enough of this. “Sure I'd love to go, where do you want me to meet you?”

“I'll pick you up at ten tomorrow morning. Make sure to wear something suited for getting dirty I'm planning on exploring while I'm up there.”

“Deal.” I gave him my address and we walked out of the college together. Silence between us but not something that felt strained. I stopped in the parking lot by my car. He looked up and smiled.

“I'm glad I ran into you that morning Light, I have a feeling you and I are going to have fun tomorrow.” He turned around giving me a wave and walked towards the staff parking. I jumped into my car and quickly drove out of the parking lot. I needed to get some space between us so I could breath and take it all in. Tomorrow was going to interesting and I couldn't wait to see him again.