Let's Play Pretend

Of Fire And Magic

Hill Hotel wasn't much of a hotel. It was really more of a place to eat and drink, where someone seemed to have figured, as an afterthought, that having some rooms to house guests might bring in some extra money.

There were only ten rooms, all of them in the basement where staff seemed reluctant to tread. Each of them no bigger than a broom closet, and with decor that would not look out of place in some less than stellar prison.

Right now they housed only one guest; a sickly looking, dark haired gentleman in an expensive leather jacket. A man that, at this very minute, was staring rather furiously into a brass bowl.

-That fucking god-damned animal!

His connection to the little house on the other side of town had been severed quite some time ago, but he still sat frozen in position. He was muttering every profanity he could think of under his breath as he replayed over and over how that...that thing had completely broken his connection to her.

He remembered when he met her, four years ago. It had been a summer day and her hair had danced carelessly in the wind. They had met by the sea, both choosing just that day to take a walk on the beach. He had seen her walking barefoot in the sand,a thin, white summer dress dancing around her. She had looked like a detergent commercial, and he had told her as much. When she only laughed, he had known.

She had been made for him. She was his even if she seemed to have forgotten. Even if she apparently let that... that thing into her house at all kinds of improper times of night. He would have to get her back, but all efforts had somehow failed so far. It was without a doubt that freaking bastard... What's his name? Aiden? Aiden was to blame. He stood between Eddie and his true love.

But he had seen, in her head, that there was no real romance between them. He had rifled through her memories only to find that abomination offering a charade. To keep him away from what was rightfully his, no less. The gall of that bastard! And he was weaving her into a web of lies, as well. He couldn't fool Eddie, though. Oh no, Eddie knew things, had seen things that were supposedly hidden from the human eye. He had found the powers, and he had grown with their usage. He knew exactly what kind of wretched creature was slowly sinking its claws into his Jenna. He had felt it and seen it as clear as day as he shook hands with it that night at the bar.

Those eyes like amber opals... lighting up as if there was a flame burning behind them, even when there had been no light source to explain it. That hand, slightly warmer than it had any right to be. At least on a person not on bed rest. And the vague scent of smoke. Oh, he had known what this was. He had not just received the gift, he had been taught to use it, and who to hide it from. How to recognize them.

He had also been warned to run if he ever saw one. To hide. But Eddie Morkeyes was not a coward. Besides, if everyone always ran, how could they even be sure there was any danger? It was probably like most myths, blown out of proportion. If the stories had been true, he should already have been naught but a pile of ashes, was it not so? And here he still sat. As alive as ever.

He would see the myth turned around, be the one the beasts told their young ones to fear. Have them look for wizards, and run at any sign of them. He would make an example of this one. Let it be known that he was not to be trifled with, that his kind had been living in fear for far too long.

Sure. He had told her a lie or two himself, but none were of this magnitude. Once she realized this, he would be there to save the day. Yes, he could be her hero, if he paced things just right. Surely his little missteps would pale in comparison. She had to understand, somehow, that his little... indiscretions... with the shapely ladies around town were merely male instinct. He was just a man, after all. What man can stay away from such lovely dishes when offered?