HOME | DD

Description
Larka made her way tentatively down the hallway, Angel close by her side. Every step she took felt like an eternity and as if she was getting closer to some fate she did not want to be true. With a large breath Larka opened the door into the kitchen. Peering round the corner she saw her father looking solemnly to the floor and her mother crying her eyes out but trying to remain strong. Herb just stood; feeling far too awkward to sit or do anything, his face was meek as he ran a hand through his blond spikes at the front of his head. “Mum, Dad?” Larka asked timidly, “Larka.” Her mother’s now pasty face looked up at her, a small smile breaking the painful sadness that had overwhelmed it. Her eyes began to break into tears again, “Come here sweetheart, come here…” she practically whispered. Larka went over to her mother and hugged her; Betty held onto Larka resting her head against hers, she stroked her daughter’s hair. “What’s going on? Because whatever it is I don’t like it, I don’t like it at all.” Larka told them all, becoming suddenly the strongest out of all of them. Noel looked up to Herb, his eyes red and glassy. With a sigh Herb began, “Larka. It’s an extremely confusing chain of events, and most of them I am not allowed to explain, but for reasons beyond anyone’s control I have to take you away from here.”
“What?” Larka said disbelievingly as she pulled away from her mother to look at Herb. “You can’t just tear me away from my life, my family, everything I’ve ever known!”
“Larka…” Betty placed a hand on her shoulder, “No Mum, this guy has got no right what so ever to take me away! What have I ever done wrong? Ok I haven’t been the greatest student all the time, but I’ve been the best I can be, that is no reason to take me away!” Larka began pointing her finger at Herb getting extremely angry. “Why are you taking me away?! C’mon! Tell me the god dammed reason!”
“Because we’re not your real parents!” Noel shouted back at her, “We’re not your real parents….” He whimpered resting his forehead in his hand.
It took a moment for it to sink into Larkas mind, as she stood there, expressionless. She turned slowly away from both of the people she always knew as her mother and father, “You’re, not my parents?” She asked, her voice faltering slightly. Larka had turned so she was standing the same way as Herb, looking to both of the strangers who sat there. A few moments of silence passed until Larka looked up at the both of them, a harsh look had come over her face as she replaced the sadness that threatened to overwhelm her with anger. “You lied to me.”
“No…No Larka, we never lied to you.” Betty pleaded. “No. You lied to me. You told me you were my parents!”
“We had to…” Noel replied looking up, “We had to protect you, it was our job.”
“I don’t know you at all, do I.” Larkas words cut through the pair of them like knives. “Who are you? I have a right to know. Are you still Betty and Noel Jones?” The pair of them shook their heads, unable to speak from the pain in their hearts. “They’re names are of no importance Larka, you are still who you always were.” Herb added placing a hand on Larkas shoulder for support, “How can I be?” Larka swallowed unable to really move her features. “When everything I’ve ever known was a lie…” Her voice began cracking, “I need to know their names, so I can always remember the cowards who were too afraid to tell me the truth.” Herb sighed, “Their names are Betty and Noel Kamara, your god-parents. Your real parents spent sometime in the mortal realm, sorting out problems and such. When they were here they managed to meet these two and became friends. When things got sticky back in the realms of Manadra; which you’ll find out all about soon enough, these two took you in as their own for your safety.”
“It still didn’t mean they had to say they were my parents, they could have said I was adopted.”
“It was too risky. You would get to this age and want to go in search of your parents.” Noel added standing up for each of them. “Your father insisted that we say you were our child.” Larka remained silent, her face hard and frozen, she was determined not to show any emotion to these two, as her first instinct when finding out news like this was to blame someone, make herself angry; it got rid of the sadness, for now. “Betty and I…. We couldn’t have children, and when you came into our lives we were so happy, we loved you as our own. It was probably easier because the magic locked away all your past memories and made you believe that this was your true life.” Noel proceeded. Larkas face contorted into a frown once more, “Magic? Realms? What are you all talking about?” Larka felt on the outside; as if there was some inside joke going on between the three and not her, “Such things, well, they don’t exist.”
“That’s what we want all mortals to think: that it’s all fairy tale and make believe.” Herb said standing beside Larka, she looked to him. “You aren’t actually a mortal.”
“If I’m not mortal, then what am I?” Herb sighed once again, “I cannot say, it is not my place, you will find out once we reach the academy. I’ll go and pack your things.” Larka stood there looking at a memory of two people she once knew, feeling completely numb.

“Ok all set.” Herb said as he walked down the hall from Larkas room to find her sat on the small chaise in her hallway. She looked up with solemn eyes; her deep brown ones searching for unknown answers in his bright blue ones. Herb looked down, his sympathy for her apparent. She looked around him, “Where’s all my cases? And Angel, she is coming right?”
“Calm down, everything’s fine…” He rummaged in his top pocket bringing out an extensive amount of Polaroid photos. He smiled handing them over to Larka, she looked through them. “It’s just a load of photographs of my room and all it’s litter.”
“Yes, but all your litter and everything in your room is stored in each one of these photos, it’s an easier way of packing everything, and yes Angel’s coming, she’s right here.” Herb pointed out one of the pictures that had Angel on it. “Besides Aqua hates having suitcases strapped to her.” Herb took the photos back and put them safely in his coats top pocket. “Aqua? Please don’t tell me you’re one of these sad people who name their cars and think they’re gods greatest gift.” She said standing with a look of boredom. “No,” Herb laughed, “Aqua’s a dragon.”
“Don’t mess with my head Herb, I may have to believe in this magic stuff and other realms, but there is no way I’m going to believe that there is a real live dragon outside. Besides, every mortal would see it and your plan of ‘every mortal must think we are all make believe’ would be down the drain.” Larka told him with an expression that said ‘don’t play around with me right now. “Honestly, mortals can’t see dragons, you have to believe, in a sense.” Herb made his way to the front door, Larka hesitated. “You coming?” Herb called back to her standing in the open doorway, “I’ll catch you up.” She replied before going back into the kitchen, although it broke her heart every time she took a step towards it. She stood opposite the two strangers, “Well, this is goodbye.” Larka told them straight avoiding eye contact, “I don’t know what else there is to say, I think I’ve said it all.”
“Larka, don’t be like that…. we still had many years together…we still raised you….” Betty said her face puffy and red from all the crying she had done. Larka remained silent; she scoffed lightly looking to the ceiling. “Well at least now I know why you couldn’t show me any photos from when I was a baby.” Her voice breaking slightly, but she pushed against the lump in her throat that threatened to rise, “Have a nice life.” Larka turned and made her way outside.

Herb leant against the tough blue scales of Aqua who was lying across the Kamara's front driveway. Larka stopped dead in her tracks upon reaching the outside, “Oh my…” Was all that escaped her mouth as her gaze drifted up and down the elegant beast. “Told you I wasn’t lying.” Herb smirked patting Aqua’s stomach, Larka began to walk towards him her mouth hanging open; she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. “I honestly don’t believe it….” She made her way around the giant dragon that dozed before her, as she reached the head Aqua’s eyes began to open groggily. Larka stepped back, a slight fright appearing in her. Aqua’s neck lifted up her head lazily into the sky as the dragon yawned, her blue colour shimmering against the suns beams, as her dangerous jaws opened and stretched into a massive yawn, before it came back down to inspect Larka with friendly eyes. “She won’t hurt you, don’t be afraid.” Herb smiled encouragingly as he fiddled around with his camera. Larka cautiously reached forward with her right hand daring to pet the dragon on her nose, to Larkas pleasant surprise Aqua liked it as a small rumbling purr was emitted from her throat. Larka smiled, the first time since she’d found out the terrible truth about her life, animals always made Larka feel better, they accepted her when other people didn’t and treated her like a queen no matter what. Aqua then licked her with her giant lizard like tongue, Larka laughed and stumbled backwards flicking out her hands, which were now covered in dragon slobber, as was the rest of her. “You two are old friends.” Herb smiled as Larka made her way back around to Aqua’s side. “You probably wouldn’t remember, she was only a hatchling and you were only about four, but you spent so much time with her.” Herb chuckled a little patting the dragons side, “She certainly remembers you though.” Larka smiled softly leaning back against the blue scales, her head down. The smile soon faded as she looked up to Herb, “Sorry I called you a pervert, and a dog thief.”
“It doesn’t matter, protectiveness is in your nature, well it’s definitely in your fathers nature.”
“You mention my father, but not my mother, why?” Larka asked curiously, her fingers twiddling with each other. “Erm…. let’s get going hey, everything will be explained when we get to the academy.” Herb smiled clambering up onto Aqua’s back, in between two of her bright red spines. “Don’t be frightened, the spines won’t hurt unless she wants them too, they help you stay on.” He called down offering a hand for help. Larka put one of her trainered feet onto a scale and lifted herself; she grabbed Herbs hand and struggled to get up. The helpful head of Aqua came underneath her and propelled Larka up onto her back. She sat behind Herb. Wrapping her arms around the spine that was dead in front of her, she clung on tightly, “Ready? Take off’s a bit unsteady.” Herb called back twisting his head slightly, the reigns held tightly in his hands. Larka looked back at the house and to the two teary faces that stared out of the window at her, “Ready…” she said softly as Herb flicked the reigns and Aqua jolted forwards her wings spread and taking off. Larka looked down on the small house as she was lifted into the air, and said a mental goodbye to the life of someone she hardly knew anymore.

As the two flew on Larka became intrigued with everything that was going on in her life now, she wanted to know everything, all the questions burning her mind. “Herb. What is this academy?” She called over the rush of the wind, which hit her face and blew her hair back, “The academy? Well, it’s your home. As I said, everything is confusing, but at the academy you will learn all sorts of things.” He replied twisting slightly to see her, “Magical things?” She asked a small smile curving her lips. “Of course.” He replied looking back to the course he was taking, “You may want to shield your eyes, it gets pretty bright when you pass through the barrier.” Larka didn’t exactly understand what he was saying until a light pierced her eyes; she raised her left hand in front of her face to minimize the glare as she winced against the rich glow. There was one moment when she thought she was heading straight for the sun, Larkas eyes closed upon instinct. It wasn’t long until the brilliant light faded, “You can open your eyes again.” Came the soft voice of Herb on the wind as their flying pace had slowed. She dared to let her eyelids tear apart, scared of what she would see. Upon the break of her eyes’ protectors Larka was once again in awe of the wonders that were bestowed upon her. She glanced around as Dragons and Gryffins flew past and around them cawing as they went. As she glanced down she could see small villages and green patches of grass and crops, the scent of pollen was carried on the wind as her hair whipped around her face. A smile erupted broadly from her face as small happy laughs escaped her. Aqua swooped downwards and through the breaking clouds appeared a glorious castle shimmering with light. “Is that?” Larka asked pointing to it with excited eyes, “Yu-huh.” Herb nodded as they swooped low over the grounds. Larka reached a hand out touching the blossom on the trees as she flew past, it was real, all of it was real. Students looked up and watched the dragon fly by, not giving it a second thought. “The grounds are huge!” Larka exclaimed having never seen anything like it.
They landed in a grassy area beside a giant lake, a small cottage was set up on a hill not far away, small huts and stables were dotted around the area leading up to the lake and the small forest that began behind the huts and stables. Larka leapt down her mouth open as she looked around in admiration. “Welcome to Pashers Academy of Magic.” Herb called out as he removed Aqua’s reigns and the dragon settled down, “Your new home.”

Description
Larka made her way tentatively down the hallway, Angel close by her side. Every step she took felt like an eternity and as if she was getting closer to some fate she did not want to be true. With a large breath Larka opened the door into the kitchen. Peering round the corner she saw her father looking solemnly to the floor and her mother crying her eyes out but trying to remain strong. Herb just stood; feeling far too awkward to sit or do anything, his face was meek as he ran a hand through his blond spikes at the front of his head. “Mum, Dad?” Larka asked timidly, “Larka.” Her mother’s now pasty face looked up at her, a small smile breaking the painful sadness that had overwhelmed it. Her eyes began to break into tears again, “Come here sweetheart, come here…” she practically whispered. Larka went over to her mother and hugged her; Betty held onto Larka resting her head against hers, she stroked her daughter’s hair. “What’s going on? Because whatever it is I don’t like it, I don’t like it at all.” Larka told them all, becoming suddenly the strongest out of all of them. Noel looked up to Herb, his eyes red and glassy. With a sigh Herb began, “Larka. It’s an extremely confusing chain of events, and most of them I am not allowed to explain, but for reasons beyond anyone’s control I have to take you away from here.”
“What?” Larka said disbelievingly as she pulled away from her mother to look at Herb. “You can’t just tear me away from my life, my family, everything I’ve ever known!”
“Larka…” Betty placed a hand on her shoulder, “No Mum, this guy has got no right what so ever to take me away! What have I ever done wrong? Ok I haven’t been the greatest student all the time, but I’ve been the best I can be, that is no reason to take me away!” Larka began pointing her finger at Herb getting extremely angry. “Why are you taking me away?! C’mon! Tell me the god dammed reason!”
“Because we’re not your real parents!” Noel shouted back at her, “We’re not your real parents….” He whimpered resting his forehead in his hand.
It took a moment for it to sink into Larkas mind, as she stood there, expressionless. She turned slowly away from both of the people she always knew as her mother and father, “You’re, not my parents?” She asked, her voice faltering slightly. Larka had turned so she was standing the same way as Herb, looking to both of the strangers who sat there. A few moments of silence passed until Larka looked up at the both of them, a harsh look had come over her face as she replaced the sadness that threatened to overwhelm her with anger. “You lied to me.”
“No…No Larka, we never lied to you.” Betty pleaded. “No. You lied to me. You told me you were my parents!”
“We had to…” Noel replied looking up, “We had to protect you, it was our job.”
“I don’t know you at all, do I.” Larkas words cut through the pair of them like knives. “Who are you? I have a right to know. Are you still Betty and Noel Jones?” The pair of them shook their heads, unable to speak from the pain in their hearts. “They’re names are of no importance Larka, you are still who you always were.” Herb added placing a hand on Larkas shoulder for support, “How can I be?” Larka swallowed unable to really move her features. “When everything I’ve ever known was a lie…” Her voice began cracking, “I need to know their names, so I can always remember the cowards who were too afraid to tell me the truth.” Herb sighed, “Their names are Betty and Noel Kamara, your god-parents. Your real parents spent sometime in the mortal realm, sorting out problems and such. When they were here they managed to meet these two and became friends. When things got sticky back in the realms of Manadra; which you’ll find out all about soon enough, these two took you in as their own for your safety.”
“It still didn’t mean they had to say they were my parents, they could have said I was adopted.”
“It was too risky. You would get to this age and want to go in search of your parents.” Noel added standing up for each of them. “Your father insisted that we say you were our child.” Larka remained silent, her face hard and frozen, she was determined not to show any emotion to these two, as her first instinct when finding out news like this was to blame someone, make herself angry; it got rid of the sadness, for now. “Betty and I…. We couldn’t have children, and when you came into our lives we were so happy, we loved you as our own. It was probably easier because the magic locked away all your past memories and made you believe that this was your true life.” Noel proceeded. Larkas face contorted into a frown once more, “Magic? Realms? What are you all talking about?” Larka felt on the outside; as if there was some inside joke going on between the three and not her, “Such things, well, they don’t exist.”
“That’s what we want all mortals to think: that it’s all fairy tale and make believe.” Herb said standing beside Larka, she looked to him. “You aren’t actually a mortal.”
“If I’m not mortal, then what am I?” Herb sighed once again, “I cannot say, it is not my place, you will find out once we reach the academy. I’ll go and pack your things.” Larka stood there looking at a memory of two people she once knew, feeling completely numb.

“Ok all set.” Herb said as he walked down the hall from Larkas room to find her sat on the small chaise in her hallway. She looked up with solemn eyes; her deep brown ones searching for unknown answers in his bright blue ones. Herb looked down, his sympathy for her apparent. She looked around him, “Where’s all my cases? And Angel, she is coming right?”
“Calm down, everything’s fine…” He rummaged in his top pocket bringing out an extensive amount of Polaroid photos. He smiled handing them over to Larka, she looked through them. “It’s just a load of photographs of my room and all it’s litter.”
“Yes, but all your litter and everything in your room is stored in each one of these photos, it’s an easier way of packing everything, and yes Angel’s coming, she’s right here.” Herb pointed out one of the pictures that had Angel on it. “Besides Aqua hates having suitcases strapped to her.” Herb took the photos back and put them safely in his coats top pocket. “Aqua? Please don’t tell me you’re one of these sad people who name their cars and think they’re gods greatest gift.” She said standing with a look of boredom. “No,” Herb laughed, “Aqua’s a dragon.”
“Don’t mess with my head Herb, I may have to believe in this magic stuff and other realms, but there is no way I’m going to believe that there is a real live dragon outside. Besides, every mortal would see it and your plan of ‘every mortal must think we are all make believe’ would be down the drain.” Larka told him with an expression that said ‘don’t play around with me right now. “Honestly, mortals can’t see dragons, you have to believe, in a sense.” Herb made his way to the front door, Larka hesitated. “You coming?” Herb called back to her standing in the open doorway, “I’ll catch you up.” She replied before going back into the kitchen, although it broke her heart every time she took a step towards it. She stood opposite the two strangers, “Well, this is goodbye.” Larka told them straight avoiding eye contact, “I don’t know what else there is to say, I think I’ve said it all.”
“Larka, don’t be like that…. we still had many years together…we still raised you….” Betty said her face puffy and red from all the crying she had done. Larka remained silent; she scoffed lightly looking to the ceiling. “Well at least now I know why you couldn’t show me any photos from when I was a baby.” Her voice breaking slightly, but she pushed against the lump in her throat that threatened to rise, “Have a nice life.” Larka turned and made her way outside.

Herb leant against the tough blue scales of Aqua who was lying across the Kamara's front driveway. Larka stopped dead in her tracks upon reaching the outside, “Oh my…” Was all that escaped her mouth as her gaze drifted up and down the elegant beast. “Told you I wasn’t lying.” Herb smirked patting Aqua’s stomach, Larka began to walk towards him her mouth hanging open; she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. “I honestly don’t believe it….” She made her way around the giant dragon that dozed before her, as she reached the head Aqua’s eyes began to open groggily. Larka stepped back, a slight fright appearing in her. Aqua’s neck lifted up her head lazily into the sky as the dragon yawned, her blue colour shimmering against the suns beams, as her dangerous jaws opened and stretched into a massive yawn, before it came back down to inspect Larka with friendly eyes. “She won’t hurt you, don’t be afraid.” Herb smiled encouragingly as he fiddled around with his camera. Larka cautiously reached forward with her right hand daring to pet the dragon on her nose, to Larkas pleasant surprise Aqua liked it as a small rumbling purr was emitted from her throat. Larka smiled, the first time since she’d found out the terrible truth about her life, animals always made Larka feel better, they accepted her when other people didn’t and treated her like a queen no matter what. Aqua then licked her with her giant lizard like tongue, Larka laughed and stumbled backwards flicking out her hands, which were now covered in dragon slobber, as was the rest of her. “You two are old friends.” Herb smiled as Larka made her way back around to Aqua’s side. “You probably wouldn’t remember, she was only a hatchling and you were only about four, but you spent so much time with her.” Herb chuckled a little patting the dragons side, “She certainly remembers you though.” Larka smiled softly leaning back against the blue scales, her head down. The smile soon faded as she looked up to Herb, “Sorry I called you a pervert, and a dog thief.”
“It doesn’t matter, protectiveness is in your nature, well it’s definitely in your fathers nature.”
“You mention my father, but not my mother, why?” Larka asked curiously, her fingers twiddling with each other. “Erm…. let’s get going hey, everything will be explained when we get to the academy.” Herb smiled clambering up onto Aqua’s back, in between two of her bright red spines. “Don’t be frightened, the spines won’t hurt unless she wants them too, they help you stay on.” He called down offering a hand for help. Larka put one of her trainered feet onto a scale and lifted herself; she grabbed Herbs hand and struggled to get up. The helpful head of Aqua came underneath her and propelled Larka up onto her back. She sat behind Herb. Wrapping her arms around the spine that was dead in front of her, she clung on tightly, “Ready? Take off’s a bit unsteady.” Herb called back twisting his head slightly, the reigns held tightly in his hands. Larka looked back at the house and to the two teary faces that stared out of the window at her, “Ready…” she said softly as Herb flicked the reigns and Aqua jolted forwards her wings spread and taking off. Larka looked down on the small house as she was lifted into the air, and said a mental goodbye to the life of someone she hardly knew anymore.

As the two flew on Larka became intrigued with everything that was going on in her life now, she wanted to know everything, all the questions burning her mind. “Herb. What is this academy?” She called over the rush of the wind, which hit her face and blew her hair back, “The academy? Well, it’s your home. As I said, everything is confusing, but at the academy you will learn all sorts of things.” He replied twisting slightly to see her, “Magical things?” She asked a small smile curving her lips. “Of course.” He replied looking back to the course he was taking, “You may want to shield your eyes, it gets pretty bright when you pass through the barrier.” Larka didn’t exactly understand what he was saying until a light pierced her eyes; she raised her left hand in front of her face to minimize the glare as she winced against the rich glow. There was one moment when she thought she was heading straight for the sun, Larkas eyes closed upon instinct. It wasn’t long until the brilliant light faded, “You can open your eyes again.” Came the soft voice of Herb on the wind as their flying pace had slowed. She dared to let her eyelids tear apart, scared of what she would see. Upon the break of her eyes’ protectors Larka was once again in awe of the wonders that were bestowed upon her. She glanced around as Dragons and Gryffins flew past and around them cawing as they went. As she glanced down she could see small villages and green patches of grass and crops, the scent of pollen was carried on the wind as her hair whipped around her face. A smile erupted broadly from her face as small happy laughs escaped her. Aqua swooped downwards and through the breaking clouds appeared a glorious castle shimmering with light. “Is that?” Larka asked pointing to it with excited eyes, “Yu-huh.” Herb nodded as they swooped low over the grounds. Larka reached a hand out touching the blossom on the trees as she flew past, it was real, all of it was real. Students looked up and watched the dragon fly by, not giving it a second thought. “The grounds are huge!” Larka exclaimed having never seen anything like it.
They landed in a grassy area beside a giant lake, a small cottage was set up on a hill not far away, small huts and stables were dotted around the area leading up to the lake and the small forest that began behind the huts and stables. Larka leapt down her mouth open as she looked around in admiration. “Welcome to Pashers Academy of Magic.” Herb called out as he removed Aqua’s reigns and the dragon settled down, “Your new home.”