Chapter 1 - The Elf and I
I stare at the little black and white object in front of me not having a clue what I'm seeing and even though I have tried to glance at it from a hundred different angles I still can't see what everyone else does. Personally I think it looks like a rubix cube and a boring one at that. Shifting myself once more I hope for some inspiration. There's none. I blow my breath out in frustration partly just to make some noise in this too silent room and partly to get my companions attention. I achieve the first which is accompanied by some snotty looks but the latter shows no reaction. It does however stir some of my red curls that rest on my shoulder. My hairs prettier than the stupid cube. Well at least for once anyways. I think I had someone compare my hair once to a gossed out fur ball. Someone out there must like me today I think smiling. My outfit is rockin too and I know it. The warm summer gives me an excuse to wear the beautiful green and white floaty skirt Ivy, my vampiric roommate, gave me. With a tucked in white tank, thin brown waist belt and matching little green sandal's I like to think I look quite the lady today.
He said I had sophistication once. I Rachael Morgan could play this game. Placing my hands behind my back and straightening my posture. I tilt my head slightly to the side in an inquisitive gesture. Out loud I said "I love how he captured its squareness. It really speaks to me".
My companion doesn't look at me but his body shifts slightly in my direction. Raising one pale, perfect brow he acknowledges me with a minute tilt of his fair head. "Yes its squareness is fascinating but the real kicker I believe is how he managed to place a cube into a glass box. Ingenious really." He remains as still as a statue as he says this, his eyes as inquisitive as my own.
With much seriousness I said "Mmm yes, mmhm, I see what you mean". His lip quirks. "Do you think Toymaster is missing his cube yet?" He says this with a sarcasm I never knew he possessed.
I snort out loud and this time the looks sent my way are near venomous. I don't care, I'm having too much fun. You know those times when you know your supposed to be silent, mature and respectful but the rebellious side within you wells up and out your mouth in the form of uncontrollable giggles? Well that's now.
He laughs quietly and it's like a catalyst to my giggles and they pour out. It's not even funny but the situation is so ridiculous that I can either cry or laugh till it hurts. If someone had told me a year ago that I would be standing in an art gallery with the famous, arrogant, bio-drug lord, murdering bastard that is Trent Kalamack, staring at meaningless crap and actually having a pleasant conversation. I would have told them to lay off the fairy farts.
"Ugh Kalamack,please no more I can't take it. If I have to pretend I like this rubbish for one more minute I might just hit myself with a sleepy potion". My face doesn't match my words however as I feel the stretch of my cheesy grin.
Face now completely serious he said "Don't you dare, your not light and these shoes are not meant for heavy duty carrying". Smacking him in the shoulder I shout "Hey! I'm not fat and stop being such a pansy ass elf!". He looks around, paranoid as ever, to see who heard my outburst but everyone knows he's an elf anyway. It's just another little annoying habit of his. Turning his attention back to me I receive an exasperated look "Rachael do you think maybe you could refrain from shouting out in, well you know, the gallery that were standing in?"
That's Trenton Kalamack for you. Polished business man as ever on the surface but beneath is a thirty something guy who has the same hissy fits as us girls. Tall, trim with a god worthy body encased in soft black dress pants and a crisp white shirt undone at the collar, he would take anyone's breath away. His fingers push back soft, white blond hair behind his newly pointed ears and his light green eyes stare at me out of face to perfect to be real.
Cocking my hip I say "Don't you be getting pissy with me the gallery was your idea and besides you'd be bored out your little elfy head if it wasn't for me being here." I smile and bat my lashes at him. He blows out a long breath but smiles and places a hand on my lower back pushing me in the general direction of the exit. "Come on let's get something to eat. I don't think the artist can take anymore of your opinions on her work". Chuckling to himself he starts walking.
Not following I realize what he just said. "Ooh. That's why she keeps giving me the evil eye. Do I really speak that loud?"
Trent doesn't answer but gives a little shake of his head not agreeing or disagreeing. Catching up with his longer stride we make our way to the exit. Feeling bad I say "I'll give her a nice tip as a sorry note" My good deed for the day, I smile. "No need I covered it on the way in" he said, as though we bought a ticket into Disney Land.
When in the turn did the little cookie maker do that I was with him the whole time. Peering up at him I said "What? When? How much?" Still walking he answers "A tip. While you were daydreaming. A few hundred. Anymore questions?" Grinning he looks down at me.
I stalk forward and past him mumbling something under my breath about not day dreaming and shoot over my shoulder "Where do you wanna go anyway?" Smiling in a way that should be illegal he walks into place with me. "Joe's?"
Of course! Is there anywhere better? And cherry pie with lattes, yum. "Ah. Man after my own heart. Come on cookie maker." I say dreamily linking my arm through his. Too late do I realize what I said and where my arm is and think I'm such an idiot.
We don't touch each other like this. Not since the spelling hut. It's not something we agreed to out loud but I think we both feel we'd be torturing our selves by playing with something neither of us can really have. We spend a lot of time together when we can. Trent's alone most of the time while Quen and the girls are gone so to keep him from going crazy I've been dragging him here, there and everywhere. Depressed I unlink my arm from Trent who seems a bit reluctant to release me at first but I know he remembers the press are around and he has an appearance to keep up. He's still going to marry Ellasbeth. And I'm still a demon. That Latte had better be nice I think morosely.
