The walk to the Academy tram was an exercise on its own. Jethro had to navigate the stares which were even more than usual. Though this one was more understandable: Scorch, coiled prominently around Jethro's neck and shoulder, was impossible to ignore. But the whispers were getting annoying.
"...is that Merrick's lizard? Looks… different."
"...did that scrap get some kind of growth spurt?"
"...he just painted it black. No big deal."
Dash walked slightly ahead, ignoring both Jethro's group and his cousin, Ben, who was inbetween his fight with Dash and his hatred for Jethro, muttering insults under his breath aimed at both Jethro and his "mutant trash-lizard."
Jethro kept his face carefully neutral, hands in his pockets as he walked to the tram. The morning sun was his anchor. With it, [Solar Charge] was active once again, and [Regenerate] healed all the wounds aching his body.
