"Rude. I haven't even had any yet!" I snatch the bottle back and take a few gulps. Fire all the way down. I liked to drink even though the haze didn't last nearly as long as it did for humans. The warmth it built was somewhat comforting, but I chased it down with some of the juice before I continued, "Besides. We need to get whatever we need together, and shouldn't we let Granny know we're alive and leaving at least? She hasn't even noticed we came back yet..." It was true. Lark was getting good with his protection spells. I can't sense their presence anymore, and Granny says sometimes she misses picking up on them too. It's pretty obvious why he's so good at it. We hang out up here together. A lot. It's a significant sound dampener.
"Are you kidding? Give her a reason to slow us up or get close enough to smell our breath? You crazy crazy." I offered him the pint back, and he took it. He nods and raises the bottle to me for a moment, then makes short work of the last of it. He tucked the bottle away in his trash can under some other garbage to hide it. He then starts rummaging around in his drawers, looking for who knows what. While I wait, I begin to skim his bookcase. There's a rather large collection here, no doubt thanks to Granny and Grandpa Clyde. Some books look brand new, while others look worn and tattered from excessive use and years of being reread. The array of subjects was impressive as well. My hand finds its way to a familiar title with beautiful binding, and I pull it out. He notices me as I'm just about to slip it into my bag and cocks his head at me. "What's that for?" Curiosity was evident in his voice. He already started making the same connections that were being made in my head.
I smirked and raised my eyebrow at him. The heat from the tequila was starting to spread around my body. It was a sure sign that it was beginning to take effect. "Want to awaken some Ancients to help us? Maybe they can bring us our destined mates?" I smiled up at him so big that my eyes almost closed. I could feel the heat that was starting to spread across my cheeks. Looking back at him, I find his face lit up, and when our eyes met, he smiled at me like that five-year-old boy I met, which felt like ages ago. I knew right then that we would be hanging out in Moaning Caverns. He works there, so getting in and out would be easy. It just makes sense. Plus, the Miwok Natives have a Legend about that place. Apparently, some stone giant lived deep within the caverns that lured people to their deaths.
"It's spooky, Lark! And if it's got a stone giant, why not an Ancient?" I state, waving the book around. It was a silly book, for real. Werechildren's Tales of Old was printed in gold on a black hardcover. Nothing too special that I noticed. There was very little wear and tear--pretty decent condition. I think Grandpa Clyde got it for him if memory serves, but that was so long ago that I find myself wondering why it wasn't used much. Mine was so worn and tattered. Yes, I still had it. I think it's cute that he's not only kept it but kept it close by. I guess we both still have a little kid somewhere inside of us. Another reason we both get along so well.
I hold the book below my eyes and beam at him over it. He chuckles and says, "Okay. Let's sneak back out the back. Wish you had your bike. We could've left my Jeep here, and she wouldn't even notice I was gone." After a short pause, he turns to me, "I need to leave a note at least. Your house?"
The forever doting child. "Nah, she'll never believe that," I say, shaking my head. "Amy's place?" I look over to raise and lower my eyebrows at him a couple of times. He rolls his eyes and sighs. I know he hates the idea. Every time she is brought up, Gran asks about her. She liked Amy, and so did I. Amy was just a regular human that Lark accidentally wooed beyond a one-time hook-up. I didn't mind seeing her around. She has a great ass. She provided a good alibi when we needed it in exchange for certain... releases. That's if Granny called her, but still. He let out a little grumble and started slowly pacing about. I sat on the bed as I waited. This was his process. A big ol' think tank. I understood his current stress, though. Lark didn't even like that it could be a chance. It's hard to pretend to be attracted to someone you weren't. Again, Amy was all right. She was just a bit much. It was like she tried too hard at everything, and it was blatantly obvious.
He sighs loudly and brings his thumb and index finger to the spot between his eyes on the bridge of his nose, squeezing it lightly. Finally, after another loud sigh, he responds with, "As much as I hate the idea of Pimpin myself around out here, it is the best option." He shrugs.
