All those years as a child growing up with only his mother to ease the pain of the taunting of the other children. Children mimicking the fears of their parents. Then when his mother had died from the stoning, he hadn’t know how he’d go on. All he knew was that he’d have to find his long lost father. Before she’d died, his mother had described his father. That was one way that Rupert had been able to recognize Tom. Oh, true, a few small differences, but given the time, the circumstances and the fact that she’d been on her death bed, there could be no mistake. Especially after he’d come to Rupert in his hour of greatest need.
At first he’d been overawed by Tom’s size and might. Then to find out what a really great person Tom was as well as being the most ferocious looking creature in existence. Rupert wished he had a mirror. He wanted nothing more than to be able to see himself. See himself in his full glory, his true form. See himself as the gods had intended him to be.
Thinking back on it now, it was hard to believe he’d managed to suppress this for so long. It just felt so good! While in reality he was really drained, quite tired actually, his limbs and whole body still felt supercharged. He felt better than he had in a long, long time. In fact better than ever. Actually, he really rather dreaded changing back.
This was him! He really didn’t ever want to be human Rupert again. It was as if he’d lived his entire life in some sort of trunk or wardrobe. He’d finally broken free and he didn’t want to get back in it. He felt as if his new self wouldn’t even fit. He had the crazy urge to get up and go out on deck and say, “Hey world! I’m the demon Rupert, son of Thomas! Look on me and live with it!”
Jenn of course would fall through the deck and out the bottom of the ship. Gastropé would jump overboard. He was sure Tom would be proud though. Proud, at least until he got after Rupert for making Jenn go through the floor and sink the boat. Rupert smiled, his tongue running over the back side of his unbelievably long teeth. He knew it was crazy.
Even though it was crazy, he really kind of wanted to do it. He twisted his head to look out the window behind him. He’d love to just be able to go out there and fly through the sky. He’d never flown before on his own; Tom had carried him, of course. He could imagine soaring through the skies, like a giant bird of prey. Rabbits and deer running like mad as he swooped down from the sky. Tom would be there, they’d fly high, up until the sky turned to night. They’d then soar at high speed toward the ground, pulling up at the last moment, only to do it again.
His wings twitched. He stretched as best he could, it wasn’t easy on the small bunk. Rupert looked down to his feet. If he stood up, he was sure he’d be nearly six feet tall. Someday, when he was full grown, he’d be as big and tall as Tom. As he stretched, he tried to wiggle his toes. It was weird not having any toes to wiggle; or only two sort of toe hooves on each foot.
He swung his legs over the edge and tried to rotate himself out of bed. As he brought his head up, his head suddenly jerked. It wouldn’t go any further, but he hadn’t hit the top bunk. He pushed again, wood creaked and his head seemed to get stuck. That was weird. He raised a hand towards his head, admiring his beautiful ebony claws. He got shivers of joy just looking at them. Feeling carefully above his head he quickly realized the problem. His horns were stuck. He’d forgotten about them. They were long enough above his head that they gouged into the wood of the top bunk before his head hit it. He had to jerk his head down a few times before his right horn came free, but it did. He twisted his head to look at the bunk above. He’d left a really big gouge in the wood. He would need to be more careful.
Slowly he stood up. He winced slightly, more from anticipation of pain than pain itself, as his wings also caught on the bunk. He wobbled a bit and had to steady himself. His new legs would take a bit of getting used to. It was so nice to stretch a bit, not much, his horns hit the ceiling when he stood up all the way. He flexed his claws and went up and bounced on his knees and heels a bit. Oh! if only he could go out like this. Wouldn’t it be great! No bullies would ever pick on him again. He’d show them. He, Rupert, was someone worthy of respect. He was someone! He was a demon, and he was Tom’s son.
Edwyrd knocked on the door to the cabin. He’d been away for the last hour and now wanted to check on Rupert and see if he’d be able to change back so Jenn could visit him. The boy had thought he would be in a little bit. He’d actually suggested, sheepishly, that he’d rather stay as he was and have Jenn have to deal with him being a demon. Edwyrd had just looked down at him with a ‘you’ve got to be kidding’ look. Rupert had admitted it might not be the best thing to do on a closed ship.
