The Many Regrets of a Cyborg Werewolf

Sudden Changes - XVI

When Luke made his bold claim regarding the Moonstone, Mercer was eager for elaboration. It was quite frustrating then when he refused, cryptically claiming the time was not yet right. The ride home was spent instead discussing their next move, which while pertinent, seemed a convenient deflection on Luke's part. Even now, having sewn up his laceration, Mercer fidgeted uncomfortably. In truth this downright annoyed Mercer, but Luke had always dodged his inquiries about the stone. Coming out now of all times secretly aggravated him. In truth Mercer still had no idea how Erin had transformed. The process was guided by implants in Luke's body, similar to Mercer's. Without them the armour wouldn't know where to form. Even the helmet would need some kind of marker to deploy from. Yet Luke implied that the process was somehow governed, overwritten, by the Moonstone. As if it were an intellect in and of itself. Even with Mercer's modest understanding of the supernatural this seemed patently absurd. Yet it happened.

"You good, Ola?" Mahi asked. Mercer turned to see the young mer standing in the open door to his room, "you look troubled, my dude."

"I'm fine," Mercer lied, "it's just been a very eventful day, that's all."

"How's the pain?" Mahi entered with two glasses in his hands.

"Tolerable," he replied. Mercer glanced at the bandages on Mahi's chest, "how about yourself?"

"Tolerable," Mahi chuckled, "yeah, pain meds don't quite do the trick. Mimosas, though-" he handed Mercer one of the glasses. He almost declined, but after everything he'd been through, something to dull the edge wouldn't hurt.

"Why not recover in your pool?" Mercer asked as he took a sip.

"I'd have to take a whole day off," Mahi sipped his own glass, "and I don't know when we'll be moving next. Besides, it ain't so bad."

"Lucas will likely need more than that to recover," Mercer mused.

"True," Mahi nodded, "but you know damn well he won't." They shared a laugh, Mercer knowing well that the young mer was correct. "Also, hope you don't mind me barging in, I just..." Mahi lowered his voice, "I just can't stand to watch him eat, y'know?"

"Lucas can lack manners," Mercer agreed.

"Like, I get it, he's a werewolf," Mahi chuckled, "but there's a perfectly good cutlery drawer right there."

"I can hear you both," Luke shouted from the kitchen, Mahi feigning shock at being caught. Mercer sighed at the lack of privacy living with one so sensitive entailed, and reached for his cane. It was irritating to need the walking aid so soon again, and Mahi showed visible concern at him trying to walk, but Mercer wordlessly assuaged him. Mahi shrugged, downing the rest of his drink as the two headed out of the hall and into the kitchen, where Luke stood before an empty platter. His meal was gone, yet he continued to lick the plate clean of its juices, much to Mercer's chagrin.

"Really?" He sneered. Luke responded by making his licking more exaggerated and disgusting before finally tossing the platter into the sink.

"You know, I see you put dishes in there," Mahi began, "but I've never seen you, y'know, wash them."

"They don't wash themselves?" Luke asked sarcastically. Mahi was about to respond when shouting came from the hallway. It was Erin, and she sounded distressed.

"Luke!" She screamed, "Luke!" He quickly dashed from the kitchen and down the hall towards her room. He entered her bedroom, but she wasn't there, though light came from beneath the en suite bathroom's door. He approached the door and tried to open it, only to find it was locked.

"Unlock the door," he said.

"Just... hold on!" Erin said from the opposite side.

"You scream at me, I come running," he groaned, "then you lock the door."