SHAPESHIFTERS
The Part 77

It seems that the fight between Seba and Beta, will indeed end in victory for Seba.

Shortly after being at the bottom of Beta, Seba was seen kicking Beta's chest, and as Marco predicted, with a loud and trembling roar, Beta slammed into the ground.

Beta grimaced in pain, with her breath cringing.

Seba then ran towards Marco.

"I can beat Beta!" seba sounded excited.

"Yes" said Marco.

"Now, you can go back to human form, and do what you were doing, before I called you," Marco continued.

"Good!" seba answered, then went away from there.

"Hows it? Do you believe my words now?" ask Marco with pride

Marco paid little heed to the facial features of Gamma and Delta, who looked extremely astonished, and seemed to be in disbelief at what had just happened.

With his leisure, Marco again sat under the maple tree, almost lying there.

"You better help Beta stand up! Rather than just daydreaming there!" said Marco.

Marco's words jolted Gamma and Delta, who then half-run, went to Beta.

Marco almost fell asleep under the tree when he heard Beta's anger nagging him.

"Should you have Seba hit me that hard?" tanya Beta sounded very upset.

"Do you prefer it if I hit you?" marco asked without looking at Beta, and kept his eyes closed.

"Didn't I say you hurt Gamma on purpose, then I will repay you" Marco continued flatly.

This time there were laughter from Gamma and Delta, while Beta could no longer scold Marco, and was silent there

Marco then opened his eyes, and saw Beta whose face was now a dead red.

"I'm sorry... I didn't know that Seba had a hard enough kick. Remember, if she is just a woman who has started to age," said Marco.

Laughter from Gamma and Delta grew crisp and loud to be heard in that place.

"There's nothing for you to laugh at!" marco said firmly.

"Aren't you aware that you can all also be knocked down by a regular shapeshifter?" ask Marco.

Finally, both Gamma and Delta, stopped laughing right then and there, and sat near Marco and even lay with Marco there.

Beta looked still upset, and did not want to sit joined there, instead still standing upright by turning his face the other way.

"If you keep sulking, your face will become more wrinkled when compared to Flints," said Marco.

"Basic jerk! You're as much a jerk as I am!" beta said, then smiled widely.

"But you're still supporting me, aren't you?" marco almost laughed.

"Of course." answered Beta, then sat down and lay down near Marco.

The cool air under the tree, coupled with the breeze that blew lightly, did spoil them, until the four of them almost fell asleep there.

"How can we quickly teach another shapeshifter about the mark?" gamma asked suddenly.

"Later we think about it! I think in a few minutes nothing will happen." Delta.

"Yes. I'm so tired... I'm going to sleep for a while" said Beta.

Marco only listened to them talk, without even responding, as he also felt quite tired and sleepy.

I don't know how long Marco slept there, until Bella who was leaning on his chest, made Marco woke up suddenly and almost jumped.

"I'm bothering you?" ask Bella slowly.

"No. I was just shocked," Marco replied, then kissed Bella's head while hugging her.

It wasn't just Marco who was sleeping well there.

Beta, Delta, and Gamma also appear to be still asleep, as Marco looks to the side.

"Do you want me to prepare an afternoon snack for you?" ask Bella.

"Hmmm... Yes," answered Marco.

"But then, just later" continued Marco, and then tightened his arms.

"What do you want to eat?" ask Bella.

Marco simply fell silent, not knowing what might be delicious to eat at the time.

"How about*korvapuusti with hot coffee?" ask Bella.

(*korvapuusti \= a kind of cinnamon bread, typical of Finland.)

"Yes. It's up to you" replied Marco.

"Then I go make it first" said Bella, then prepare to return home.

"For a while." said Marco then kissed Bella.

"Beba's help makes it so you don't get too tired" Marco continued.

"Yes... Love you!" said Bella.

"Love you too." said Marco.

Bella is then seen away, until finally entering the house through the back door.

"Your partner is beautiful, also good at making cakes." Gamma suddenly chirped.

"When did you wake up?" ask Marco.

"Since you kissed him... It really makes me feel envious," replied Gamma.

"Can I know? When did you two get to know each other?" ask Gamma.

"Hmmm... I was in her class when I was in primary school. But we knew each other a long time ago, because Bella's parents were friends with my parents" Marco replied.

"Meanwhile, you had the feeling of attending a public school for ordinary people?" ask Gamma.

"Yes. How are you guys?" ask Marco.

"I know, all the runaways no one goes to public schools like that...

They can read and count, only taught by each of their parents at home" replied Gamma.

"It's been going on for generations... Except those living in the main settlement. There is a school even though it is not for the public, and only for shapeshifter," continued Gamma.

"So you were only taught by your parents?" ask Marco.

"Oh, not so. Our family still lived in the castle, until I was twelve, if not wrong. So, I still had time to study at the school in the main settlement" replied Gamma.

"But, after coming out of the castle and living as a runaway, I no longer continue my schooling, because the escapees must not come to the main settlement at will" continued Gamma.

"Why not attend public school?" ask Marco.

"Hmmm..." Gamma muttered and then laughed.

"Too risky... It could be that our disguise will be revealed, if suddenly I turned into an animal in school among ordinary human children," replied Gamma.

"What about you? Aren't you afraid that's gonna happen?" ask Gamma.

"I was able to change shape at the age of ten, so I never thought of anything. After that, then I became more careful, lest I change shape suddenly...

But, I can still go to school, until I'm seventeen" Marco replied.

"Perhaps, if my Daddy didn't die at that time, I could have continued my schooling to university" Marco continued.

"You must be confused when the shape changes the first time, without anyone who can explain what is with you." said Gamma.

Marco fell silent.

"Flints told me how you have been surrounded by ordinary people" Gamma said, as if understanding what Marco was thinking.