When Fiona started looking around, acting as if she'd heard something odd, he shrugged and said, "I didn't hear anything, and I've got super-hearing. Dragons must have better, I guess. I dunno. Or maybe someone sent you a telepathy-gram. Have you been wormed, yet?"

As he looked around, however, he did spot Katy in the crowd. Figuring that it worked with Penny, who was also a telepath, he sent via mindworm, {{Hey. How was the funeral? Sorry I couldn't make it. Some asswipe decided to turn the anti-para rally into a monster mash. While I don't mind him interrupting the rally, he used a mutagen that makes mutants who then spread the mutagen further. And, as far as I know, the stuff's permanent. Lucky for us, the new girl contained the mutants, and so it didn't spread beyond the para-haters.}}

  Clarissa looked around, and said quietly "Do we want to get me wormed, love?  Or am I good just linked to you?"

Ozzy answered his wife quietly, "It may be a good idea to get you a mindworm, just in case I do get in trouble."

Katy grimaced for a moment, then bespoke Ozzy, The funeral was......More than I could have hoped for. The ceremony was beautiful. That was all she said for a moment, though even in the tone of voice, heck, even the feel of her thoughts suggested buried emotions threatening to burst forth.

She turned her attention back to the group as a whole, disappearing in a purple mist and reappearing in front of the Dragons, walking in midair on seemingly nothing. Now, would you mind taking this party somewhere else. There are several rooftops where citizens would be far-fetched to see you.

  Zhang puffed air at her, and said "I am teaching this young one how to fly so she is not stuck WALKING down your city streets.  Which is more alarming?"

Fiona flinched a little, seeing the girl disappear and reappear right in front of her. Even after everything that had happened, some things still took her by surprise. "I'm sorry," she said softly after a moment, and nodded to the girl in front of her face that was about as big as her snout. "We'll go somewhere else." She raised her head and started flying upwards, like a serpent slithering on invisible ground, but a good deal slower.

Ozzy nodded as he sent back, {{Good. I'm glad she got the sendoff she deserved, even if it came way too soon. How're you guys taking it? It's got to be pretty hard, losing a teammate like that.}} She could feel he was definitely concerned about the Legacy, especially Lucas.

  Zhang nodded to Fiona, then he shifted to his smaller form, and coiled around Ozzy's other arm (the one Tats wasn't on) and became a tattoo once more.  Of course, Ozzy was still huge and green, with demonic-style wings and a big scorpion tail, and escorting an adorable-looking catgirl with white fur, white and silver wings, and a long mane of brown-black hair.

Fiona watched as Zhang shrank down to a more portable size, making her once again (presumably) the largest creature in the area by far. "Well... let's go to Meg's place, I suppose?" she rumbled softly at Ozzy and Clarissa.

She was just about to start moving when another question came to her mind. "Is shrinking down like that and turning into a tattoo also something I should be able to do? Or is that more advanced dragon magic?"

  Zhang answered "It is more Dragon magic, but it is magic we learn early.  I will endeavor to teach you, but I am not certain how well you can learn it.  But I will not say it is impossible."

Katy nodded to the dragon, disappearing in a plume of purple smoke yet again, and reappearing in her original spot.

We're Okay. Hunter's taking death like he usually does, but to be honest, Lucas and I aren't doing so well. Mirage was my friend, Ozzy, the person who taught me how to do everything I know and more. But Lucas has me scared for him. He loved her, that much I'm sure. Not to mention...

Her mindvoice wavered to a halt, tears threatening to burst forth, as she glanced Ozzy, the older woman seemingly unperturbed at his changed appearance.

Ozzy turned to Fiona and said, "We'll meet you there, Fiona. Do you know how to get there?"

He then looked down at Katy and asked mentally, {{Do... do you need a hug or something? You seem like you're about to cry. And... have you got any idea where Lucas might be? If he's taking it that hard, I'm worried for him, too.}}

  Clarissa, who had been standing, decided to cheat, and used her claws to lightly hook into his clothes, and climbed up his side to sit on his shoulder, her tail winding around his upper arm to hold her in place.  She leaned against him, comfortingly.

Although Fiona couldn't hear what was being said, the expression on Katy's face told her a lot about what was going on. "I... I'm sorry," she said softly. "I didn't know Mirage personally or anything... but I know that she was a truly great woman. I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like to have lost a friend like that."

Katy smiled slightly, shaking her head.

No, Ozzy, I'll be fine, she bespoke him, making a valiant effort to hide her pain, and succeeding somewhat. A mental image of Ozzy giving Katy a hug was broadcast, and she seemed to find some amusement out of it, however. I've got an idea of where Lucas would be, but Hunter made me swear not to bother him for a couple days. I wouldn't be surprised if he had Hotwire monitoring me, or Nokomis lurking about. It was obvious who the Heart of the Legacy was.

"It's alright," she told the young dragon, then looked her directly in the eyes, "When you find a friend as close to you as I was with Mirage...cherish every moment. Don't take them for granted."

Ozzy looked quite serious as he thought back, {{He made YOU promise. Not me. And even if he had, I'm not afraid of Hunter. While I don't think Lucas-sensei is the type to do anything STUPID, I'd like to at least offer him a listening ear. If he wants me to leave, then so be it, but nobody else is going to get me to turn back.}}

A slight smile spread across Fiona's snout, and she nodded solemnly. She didn't know how close they had been, but she could imagine.

"Right... I'll see you all at Meg's place," she said softly to the assembled party, before flying off. Even if she wasn't very good at it yet, it was still faster than walking, and she was much less likely to bump into something.

-> To Kattakara Estate

Katy grimaced ever so slightly as she shot back: Ozzy, I know the New Age Defenders prefers the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants approach, and I know you tend to be one of the more cool-headed ones, but listen to me right now: Give him some space. Believe me, if Hunter hadn't bound me, I wouldn't leave Lucas' side right now. But trust me when I say he needs some time alone.

I don't care if he's your friend. Give him a few days space. That's all I ask.

Ozzy sighed mentally and said, {{All right. I'll give him a couple of days. I'm just worried. What if the Dark Champion strikes at him while he's grieving? Makes him give in to the Dark Side, or whatever? Agh... sorry, my paranoid side is kicking in. I'm just worried that if we leave him totally alone for a while, something external might come in and push him over the edge, and we won't be there to help counter-balance it.}}

  Clarissa patted his shoulder, a gentle caress, and said softly "Don't worry, love.  We won't let him tip over."

Katy smiled slightly. Ozzie, give me some credit, she told him mentally, Do you really think I wouldn't bend my restraints as far as I could? She tapped her temple a few times, I've got an eye on him at all times. His thoughts get even remotely alarmed, I'm there as soon as possible. Plus...I hear he may be taking on a new student.

Ozzy smiled and thought, {{Good. And if you even THINK you'll need a little extra muscle, do not hesitate to ask. I've got plenty to go around. I'm not sure about the upper limits of my strength quite yet, but I smashed an engine block flat like it was an empty coke can, so... yeah. And I have gotten it controlled enough to where I can not, you know, break people if I want to not break them.}}

  Clarissa giggled, and patted his cheek as she said softly "Yeah.  You don't break ME, after all!"

Katy smiled. Thanks for the offer, Ozzy. I may take you up on it if things go south. That does remind me: My daughter, Vaan, is going to be occupied for the rest of the day, but come tomorrow, would you mind giving her the grand tour? I don't think she's experienced Weston without doom and gloom surrounding her. It'd be worth a couple hundred dollars to me.

Ozzy smiled and thought, ((Hey, just because I'm a mercernary doesn't mean I'm greedy. Keep the money. I can give her the grand tour, no problems. I know these streets like the back of my hand. Anyplace in particular you want me to take her? Or is there anyplace you want me to avoid?))