This is an explanation story to follow up in Alexis Lestrange and the Boy Who Lived when Chimera's are referenced on Christmas. If your confused or lost, I recommend reading said story first. I'll be putting up another chapter for it soon but this is a oneshot that maybe add to one of the later tales of Alexis

Enjoy!

There was a Chimera on Tom McPherson's back.

Not a real one of course, but a memory tattoo that moved across his skin freely, shrinking and expanding if he ever needed to hide it.

Not that he ever did hide it. Alexis had known about the tattoo her whole life, never questioning it after he told her what it was until late one Fall night while the two finished their reading session on the couch. McPherson had fallen into a very light sleep when she questioned him once more.

"Tom?" asked Alexis in a sweet voice only a seven year old could use.

"What is it, Hex?" McPherson replied, his eyes snapping wide open with alertness at the child's voice.

"I was just wondering, how did you get your tattoo?"

McPherson smiled, glad Alexis wasn't in any danger and had only been curious.

"I used a spell, Hex," he replied, sitting up. "It's not a normal tattoo, you know? It's a memory tattoo."

"A memory tattoo?" the seven year old inquired, pulling herself onto her guardian's lap and forgetting her book.

"Yep. See I place memories in it so know one can read them, that includes you, you little mind reader," McPherson teased, tickling the now giggling Alexis.

"Am I in some of those memories?"

"You're most of them, Alexis."

Alexis looked down at the tattoo on McPherson. It had moved to his chest, seeing that his back was leaning against the couch. The Chimera was mostly a amber red with gold, at least the lion and the goat were, but the snake was a dark green that reminded Alexis of the forest at night.

"Why is the shadow so big?"

"That's where my bad memories go."

"Oh... Am I in the bad memories, Tom?"

McPherson grinned before shaking his head, "Of course not, Hex."

"Can I get one?" Alexis yawned.

"One what?"

"A tattoo."

McPherson laughed again before picking Alexis up and carrying her towards the stairs.

"When you're older," he said. "As long as you get a Chimera."

"Why a Chimera, Tom?" Alexis asked through another yawn.

"Because it's your talisman, your kindred spirit, if you want to be fancy. Yours and mine, Hex."

"But why?" Alexis asked as McPherson placed her on her bed.

"Because it symbolizes you, your personality." When Alexis gave him a confused look, he continued, "Loyal and Brave like a Lion, Silver-tongued, and ready to Lead like a Snake..."

"But what about the Goat, Tom?"

Tom smiled at her kindly, "Willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, like the Goat."

Hope that helps clear things up and gives you an idea of Tom and Alexis's relationship!

Tell me what you think!