“I’m glad you could make it, Ivan.” Abraham said. “I’ve reserved the Garden Room for the entire evening. We won’t be bothered.”
“Very nice,” Ivan said. “I do appreciate a gentleman’s game and fine company.”
“So, tell me about yourself. Micah tells me you’re originally from Russia?”
“Hm, I was born elsewhere, I moved to Russia … later. What of you my good man? From where do you hail?”
“Juba.” Abraham told Ivan a little bit about Sudan, the civil war, and how he came to be adopted by missionaries from Britain.
“And now you are a librarian. A fine position I must say.”
“What do you do Ivan?”
A tiny smile played at the corner of his lips. “I don’t like to talk about my work.”
Abraham chuckled. “I see. Am I permitted a guess?”
“You could never guess it,” Ivan declared.
Abraham smiled. “The diamonds you gave for Christmas give you away. You claim no employment yet you produce such a thing? You are either Russian mafia or a jeweler.”
“Diamonds you say?” Ivan chuckled. “Interesting observation but is it a clue or a distraction?”
“I will decide that as we play,” Abraham said.
I don’t care what Abe said, I’m taking your head tonight, vampire.
Meanwhile….
… in an apartment complex parking lot.
(work with me here, I lack K2's awesome background capabilities so you guys get the Magical Anywhere Couch!)
“Oooh, it’s so cold Micah.”
“Looks like someone tried to steal my brake lights. They’re all ripped apart.”
“This is so frustrating,” Micah said with a groan. “I can’t afford to keep replacing parts like this.”
“Why any self-respecting man would ride about on some mechanical contraption that ridiculous looking is beyond me,” Foster said. “You would look far more dignified were you astride a proper racing snail.”
Ina sighed. “We missed the Pan-Eolanders Snail Racing Championship this year. I wonder if my brother won again? He always wins.”
“Foster, would you fetch my tool box please?”
“… so undignified… how could…”
“I am NOT in the mood!” Micah’s brows furrowed and his fists knotted up.
“I shall return,” Foster said. Ina nodded with a little shiver.
“Why not just hire someone to fix it?” Foster said. “You just end up angry and covered in grease.”
“That isn’t an option Foster, unless you want to eat ramen four nights a week instead of three.”
“I love ramen,” Ina said with a little giggle. “I like the little sticks you eat it with. Let’s hire the repair man so we can have more ramen.”
Foster slapped his forehead. Micah smiled up at his adorable Ina. “You’re too cute.”
“You’re cute,” she said.
“STOP THAT!” Foster waved his arms. “You are under no circumstances starting THAT mushy nonsense again. I won’t stand for it. I won’t. I’ll shrink you both into … into…. ”
“Yo. You kids need some help?”
“Looks like you’re having some trouble.” Foster gasped, Ina squealed, and Micah raised a brow.
“Ina, go back to the apartment. Now. I shall deal with this ruffian myself.”
“Whoa, chillax. It’s all good. I’m Gabe. I’m a friend of Abe’s. Abe, Gabe, see, easy to remember. Anyhoo… he told me you were having some, ah… technical difficulties. Thought I’d swing by and see if I could help. I’m a mechanic. I run Wolfe n’ Vine down on the corner of 24th and Main.”
“Some jerk tried to steal my brake lights.” Micah frowned. “But I can fix it. Thanks anyway.”
“Nah, I don’t mind. You got an old girl there. Harder to get parts. Tend to see these stolen a lot.” Gabriel stroked the fender. “Poor old girl, don’t get a lick of respect do you. Let’s see if we can’t get you back to rights.”
“Does this mean we’re having ramen tonight?” Ina asked.
“No ma’am,” Gabe said with a wink. “I owe Abe so many favors it ain’t even funny. You’re letting me off easy if all I do is fix up your bike. She got a name?”
“Charlotte,” Micah said. He relaxed. It didn’t make sense why Foster and Ina were so riled up, maybe they just weren’t used to meeting human strangers yet.
“Kid, you’re kinda creepin’ me out back there.”
*insert maniacal chuckle*
“Well, that ought to get you fixed up. Had a few loose wires. Bring her by my shop and I can outfit you with some new gaskets. You could do with a tune up, too.” Gabe gave Micah his business card. “Like I said, Wolfe n’ Vine. I’m Vine, Gabriel Vine. My partner’s Jo Wolfe. She can fix anything on two wheels.”
“Well, I ah…” Micah rubbed the back of his neck. His cheeks were red. “Thanks.” No guy wants to be rescued in front of his girlfriend. Not cool.
“Your girlfriend’s a real fox,” Gabe said with a wink. “Better hang on to her.”
Micah gritted his teeth.
“See ya ‘round kids, see ya miss Foxy.”
“He seemed very nice for a wolf,” Ina said. “They’re usually less pleasant.”
“Hmph.” Foster glared. “You could have fixed your own bike. We didn’t need him.” He flailed his arms in the air. “I despise werewolves. Nearly as bad as that shaman book man you hang around with.” Foster looked up at Micah. “You seem to collect non-human friends. You’re an odd boy.”
“Shaman? Werewolf?” Micah gulped. “Really?”
“Can’t you tell?” Foster shook his head. “Bah! It’s a wonder humans survive anything. No magic, no sense about the world. Can’t even talk to trees. What a terrible way to live.”
“Come to think of it, It IS rather suspect, a shaman and werewolf suddenly taking such an interest in you, Micah. Perhaps your undead fiend has drawn unwanted attention. You should cut ties while you can. Ally with me instead.”
“Where is Ivan today?” Micah asked. “Do you think he’s…. ?”
“Oh, he’s at the library. With the shaman. They’re playing the war board today. If that idiot dud of a vampire doesn’t know the librarian is a shaman he DESERVES to have his life-force sucked out of him. They use totems. Nasty business. Have you ever seen an immortal drained of its life-force? Only strong magic can do it. When it’s done they look like that beef jerky Ryan is always gnawing on. Disgusting.”
“What?” Micah shrieked.
Foster’s eyes widened. “Wait, if he’s engaged in battle… now? I can’t miss it! We must go now! To the library! The vampire and shaman could at this very moment be locked in a glorious battle to the death!”
“Wha… but… but…I don’t know how to… what do we do? How can I help?”
“We ride!” Foster shouted.
“We won’t all fit on the mechanical contraption known as Charlotte.”
“Hang on tight!” Micah shouted.
Meanwhile…
…back at the library on the other side of the living room.
“Did I miss anything juicy?” Gabe whispered to Zo. The elf whipped his head around with a start. “What’s your axe here for? We’re just observing. Not chopping.”
“Damn it Gabe,” The elf elbowed the werewolf in the ribs and hissed for him to keep his big mouth shut. They inched into the cracked door of the audio-visual storage room.
“You’ve got to be kidding,” Micah said. “I blew four red lights for this? I thought he was getting the life sucked out of him by totems of death or something. What the hell Foster? You really are off your rocker.”
“Noooooooooooo……….”
“The vampire is ahead. What must I do to witness his utter destruction?”
“We missed the movies for this?” Micah said. “I’m just about fed up with…”
Ina squeezed his hand and he relaxed. “We’ll try for the dollar matinee next week,” he said. Ina smiled and nodded, stroking the back of his hand with her thumb.
(please excuse the messy background. That’s become the death-couch of pneumatic torment this week.)
“Incoming!” Gabe shoved Zo out of the way. “Close the door!”
“Wait it—“
*click*
Zo wiggled the knob. “Idiot dog! You locked us in. Abe will have both our hides if we break his lock.”
“….” Gabe flashed a cheesy grin at his partner.
Foster whispered to Abraham. “… he values the pawns… to beat him you have to hit the soft spot… go for the…”
“Silence! You’re giving away my techniques.”
“I hope he drains you to a withered husk! I’m not leaving this spot until he does! Ahaaha!!”
“You’re hopeless,” Ivan muttered. “And I dare say insane. Stay if you must. Witness my imminent victory. ”
“We’re leaving,” Micah and Ina said.
Abraham burst out laughing. He couldn’t decide which was funnier, the fact that an ancient vampire was so easily goaded by an insane fairy or that Zo and Gabe had locked themselves into the audio-visual room. Again.
Hours Later…
“Man… I gotta take a leak.” Gabe yawned.
My fever broke today so I felt clear-minded enough to do a photostory. Moving the dolls around really wore me out but it was better than lounging on the couch all day in a feverish stupor. I hope this was fun. And coherent... I really hope it was coherent. I'm still pretty sick. :-pedit: Next up #30 Vargas and the Oathbreaker
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