Crossing A Line (Pandora)

[Apollo Lion]

Apollo sat in the parking lot of an old family diner on planet Earth in a small town near the borders of Canada. He was sitting on the edge of a sidewalk, staring at the cars going by in boredom. To his right was his backpack, a large thing containing enough supplies to make him last a week. To his left was his faithful companion, Bayla, who took on the form of a large Siberian Husky dog. Not too many people came near Apollo with Bayla around. If anyone got very close to him, the morphed dragon would hiss and roar with ferocity. Apollo hated when she got protective like this, but he didn't care for her now. His mind was on something else at the moment.

"Do you think she will come?" Apollo asked Bayla openly. Normally, he would only speak to her through their mind, but that was only when they were around people. There was only Apollo and Bayla now, so he could speak as freely as he wanted to. Bayla, however, did not know Apollo's language, so she could only speak through the mind.

So what if she doesn't? Bayla responded back to him telepathically. She took on the form of a dog, and she played that form well. She stuck her mouth open and panted when it was too hot, and she even looked in many directions when something interesting caught her attention. Her acting was amazing now. Before, it was utterly horrible. No matter what form she took she still held the pride of a dragon. Everyone looked at Apollo as royalty whenever they spotted a husky with its head held high. And her obsessive snarling at anyone near Apollo was even worse. Apollo was glad that she was finally learning how to fit in now.

"It matters a lot if she doesn't..." Apollo responded back. "But... I don't know! I kinda have doubts that she will show... Especially when I texted her a week ago to meet me here. I told her that I wanted to go on a camping trip with her, only her, because there were strange disappearances at the place where we're camping, and I thought she would enjoy discovering why... But it sounds pretty lame when I think about it now..."

If she doesn't show then she doesn't show, Bayla responded back in a foul tone. She was always very negative when it came to the subject of that girl. The first time Pandora and Apollo met wasn't very nice, and Bayla has held it against her, waiting for the moment when Pandora would fuck up and attack Apollo again. Last time, Bayla wasn't there, this time she would be. However, if Bayla suddenly attacked Pandora, Apollo would probably jump in and protect her. He was always the protector, never the killer. 

"Well... She's also our ride, Bayla," Apollo said defensively. "She has her motorcycle, which we need in order to get to the camp. So... She's a little bit needed, and it matters a little..."

Bayla rolled her eyes, not even wanting to acknowledge what he just said, and continued her scouting in silence.

[Pandora]

So his text might have been a little strange, but she wasn't going to turn down time with Apollo. It was only a bonus that something supernatural was possibly involved. He claimed there were disappearances happening and invited her to help with his investigation. It was one thing they had in common, to investigate and solve cases such as this one. But Pandora had to wonder how long this partnership would last.

Pandora spotted Apollo coming into view as she sped down the road towards the diner. He had a dog companion she could only assume was Bayla with him. She was still coming in quick and it appeared she had no intention of slowing down. But at the last minute she made a quick stop and the back tire of her motorcycle slid sideways and she stopped exactly where she had intended right in front of the two.

Pandora removed her helmet before speaking. "Sorry I'm late, I couldn't decide on what i wanted to wear." Her tone was sarcastic but it was actually the truth. Pan had ripped through her entire wardrobe and nothing she owned seemed good enough to pack for the trip. Eventually she had decided on buying all new stuff to take with her.

"Looking good. Have you been working out?" She looked Apollo over. Something about him was definitely different. Or maybe she was finally noticing things about him. "Nice to see you too Bayla." she said down to the dog that was giving her the evil glare. Not that she blamed Bayla for hating her really. She wasn't a likable person in general, besides Pandora and Apollo didn't have the best start to their relationship. Friendship? Well, whatever the hell this is.

"I brought an extra helmet for you. Hope it fits. Borrowing it from my brother."

[Apollo Lion]

"Is... Is that Pandora?" Apollo pointed towards the motorcyclist coming his way. The ride looked almost familiar, and the rider had a feminine appearance. The draconian hoped that it was indeed Pandora, because if it wasn't then he was about to get run over by a stranger. 

Apollo stood up, frightful for a moment as the rider got closer. He was about to get ran over, and he had to move, but he wasn't sure if the person was just making a bluff. Like a deer caught in the headlights, he was forced to stand there while his mind argued against logic and his beliefs. Luckily, the motorcyclist stopped at the last moment before impact, or Apollo would have been a goner. 

The draconian released a heavy sigh when the rider was revealed as Pandora. Nonchalantly, she greeted Apollo with some sarcasm. If only his heart wasn't beating out of his chest, he would have been able to cast a remark, despite how timid it would be. Instead, Apollo just released a squeal and sat back down. 

Pandora greeted Bayla, and Bayla snarled at Pandora, then she showed Apollo a helmet that apparently belonged to her brother. "The big guy that looked like he could eat me whole with one bite? Yeah... I don't think I'll be able to fit that.

"Also." Apollo rolled back his sleeve to show Pandora the new muscles he received, courtesy of joining the U.N.S.A.I.D. He had developed some really good strength, but it wasn't Hosi strength, yet, and he still looked a little skinny in the arms. "Yeah, I've been working out," Apollo said with confidence. "I might even be able to take you on now."

[Pandora]

"You're right, be probably could eat you in one bite." She grinned at Apollo. The chances of her brother actually wanting to hurt Apollo was slim to none, but she didn't tell him that. "Think mine would fit better instead?" she asked as she traded off and handed him her helmet instead. It was smaller and she didn't mind if she had to use Hosi's temporarily, or no helmet at all.

Pandora watched as Apollo moved his sleeve up to show off his hard work. "Very impressive." and she was impressed until he added that he might be able to take her on. Then she raised a brow. "Oh you think so? If you'd like we can see about that later."

"Well hop on unless you want to drive. And also, where are we going?" He hadn't given her much detail on the situation yet. Probably would be good to know directions at least.

[Apollo Lion]

"I'll decline your helmet offer. You need to see more than I do." Apollo placed on Pandora's brother's helmet, trying his damnedest to make it fit. He ended up tightening it to the point where the top blinded his view.

Really great, Apollo thought as he staggered to get on the bike. Bayla had transformed from a giant threatening dog to a tiny dragon. She grew a long tail that she wrapped around Apollo's neck. She gave a tight grip, nearly choking Apollo at some point.

When Pandora asked where they were going, Apollo pointed to two sets of mountains that hovered over the town. "There is a waterfall up there," Apollo explained. "There are signs to guide you to it, but it's a little dangerous to navigate with a bike. Pleeeeease be careful Pandora." Apollo really needed to beg with this girl, because he didn't trust that she knew what the word safety meant. 

As he settled onto the back of Pandora's bike, it finally donned on him that he was going to ride very closely to a cute girl. Just being close to her made him incredibly shy, so attaching himself to her was sure to bring about a whole heap of sweat. He could try to control himself, but Apollo was unsure of how long it would be until he would faint. I guess we'll find out?

The young draconian leaned close to Pandora. His fingers intertwined with each other firmly near her stomach. His chest rested on her back, and with a great series of stutters Apollo muttered, "Let's go..."

[Pandora]

"Suit yourself." Pan held the motorcycle steady as Apollo struggled to get on the back. "You've been on one before right?" If he said no she would tell him "Don't fight it when I lean into turns or you'll get us killed. Move with me. And hold onto me."

"Sure, I'll be careful." He wouldn't be able to see the big grin on her face since she was turned away from him. She was looking straight at the mountains. "A waterfall?" Maybe she could convince him to go for a swim if the water is nice.

Pandora put her own helmet on and revved the engine. Apollo stated that he was ready and off they went. They were moving probably too quick for the road they were on but Pandora was used to driving fast. She was leaning the bike hard as she hugged the turns and weaved in and out of any obstacles in her way. The scenery seemed to get more beautiful the further they got from town. Everything was so green and the fresh air was nice, being on a motorcycle instead of a car made the experience better in her opinion.

Eventually the road became more narrow and wasn't paved anymore. She drove as far as they could possibly go on wheels. The waterfall was in view but still a bit away.