Hot Shot Todd

The inside of the Layline was a haze of movement, joy, and music. The cigarette smoke that filled a normal bar was replaced with incenses and burning oils. Or, at the very least, flavored tobacco. Tonight, a mix of flowers and spice-scents tinted the place a soft, purple color, the already dim lights struggling to illuminate the bar. It made the art on the walls, ranging from fine Indian tapestries to oil paintings, hard to make out. It was a wonder that no one tripped over the pillows and chairs people had been using as seats before getting up to dance.

This particular evening, a slow, slinky tune was playing, enticing the bar’s patrons into sinuous dance. However, tomorrow, everyone knew it would be different. The music would vary greatly from one evening to the other. One night a band would be in, playing strong-beated world music, and the next, the radio would be blasting selected golden oldies.

However, incense, artwork, or music aside, the one thing that really made this place stand out were the patrons themselves. This was a place for my kind. Those who’d been touched by what people commonly call ‘magic.’ The bar’s owner, an Aes Sidhe, had done a great job of glamouring the place, so that normal people didn’t really notice it. Of course, the Ley Lines under the place helped.

And that’s what made it such a great haven for us.

After scooping the place out, I started to wander to the bar. After all, I knew better than to go dance. While part of me was just itching to go join everyone else, I knew that my dancing talent was vest viewed alone in front of a mirror. Yeah, I’m one of those people: Shy in person, but shameless in front of her bedroom mirror. Besides, why dance, when there was tea calling my name?

However, after evading the dance floor (in spite of people calling me out into the fray), and once I slipped past an elf and kitsune at the pool table, I found myself confronted by Todd. Sonovabitch. Ah, um… don’t get too offended with me there. Todd also happened to be a wolf.

And this wolf was huge, covered in thick gray and rusty fur, and clad only in jeans. He smirked, a lazy sort of expression on his face that showed that he’d had a few sips of something alcoholic. Before I’d even managed even a simple greeting, the wolf leaned in, taking in a deep breath as he brushed his nose from my stomach, all the way to the side of my neck, causing me to squeak. “You look so little.” He rumbled, “You should spend more time as a werewolf.”

With a huff, I planted my hand squarely on his chest, and shoved him back. He took it in stride though, clicking his tongue and pointing at me. “No matter what skin you’re wearing, still the same girl. Though I bet a few real drinks would take the edge off of that--”

”I think I can choose what drinks I like for myself, Todd.” I growled, glaring at him. A bit of the wolf in me must have been showing, because the bartender, Dylan, gave me a look that said Are you okay? I nodded, and he jerked his head toward Todd, frowning. This was his way of asking Is this guy bothering you?

I shook my head, then sighed. “Tea please? Earl grey?” And with that, the brown-haired boy got to work, grabbing the teabags, and snatching the teapot from the low fire with his bare hands. Being Coyote-spirited, he seemed to be nearly invulnerable when it came to fire. Sometimes it's pretty useful to be Called. Dylan poured me a cup, while Todd rolled his eyes at me, returning to his glass. By the scent, I suspected he was drinking harp.

However, once my cup was in place, the coyote placed a note by the side of it. “It’s from Seamous.”

Oh, great.

I eyed the note. It had been written on parchment and neatly folded, with a small wax seal. And after a moment of consideration, I left the note, taking a sip of my tea.

Dylan looked aghast, his eyebrows shooting up. “Aren’t you even going to open it?”

I laughed, and nursed my tea some more, taking small sips. “What, and ruin the surprise?” Dylan rolled his eyes at me, so, I tried to give him a better answer. “Look. He’s a good guy and all, but the fact is, I’m busy. I don’t have time for his scientific poking and prodding.”

Todd took that opportunity to butt in. “Well, if you want an excuse, you could come home with me tonight and--”

Dylan also started up. “But he might learn something neat, or useful, I mean, aren’t you ever curious--?”

I sighed, listening to the two boys ramble. I tried my best to tune them out and enjoy my tea.

In hindsight… I should have decided to dance.