Flash back

I was about to add some remark about being too suprised to note it at the time, but realised that it was going to have the ring of an excuse rather than a true fact. Without hesitation I plunged back into the story.

"We... Me and Daren, were shopping and I got hungry so we were on an esculator going to get something for me to eat when he just came up to us..."  In an almost accusational tone Adeptus questioned.

"Daren was going, shopping?" For a dramatic confounded effect he took an unnecessarily drawn out breath between going and shopping, he was turned towards me waiting for a reply yet decided this question was more appropriate to be answered by Daren, with similar to an owls ability he rotated his head alone to face his desired recipient. Indignent is the only word suitable to fully recount the expression Daren wore in that present time; I did feel indignent for him as well.

"Do you happen to make frequent journeys of this kind?" Was the partially mocking question Adeptus almost drawled at Daren.                                                                                                                               "I know I do not care to dwell with the people of this age however I can safely assume I suppose that, shopping, is still rather... well for want of a better phrase, a womans game?" Was the not so subtle line that chased his last sentence up. This time he made less of an effort to hide his evident delight at the chance to see his old ally squirm letting the corners of his papery lips arch upwards. To my joy, and slight relief, Daren did not claw for the tempting bate  but instead answered, if in a vaguely strained voice, the question.

"No I do not accompany Diana much in shopping." As Darens friend and the person who dragged us into that situation and this one I sensed the urge to defend him from persecution. I added quickly afterwards.

"I was going to a party and needed a dress, so I forced Daren to go with me to help me select one." Adeptus continued to look amused but not as intensly as before. Then as if suddenly recalling his aim Adeptus fired bullet questions at me for the next few minutes.  

"In which shops did you brows?" Was the first one which I answered pausing with disconcerting jolts to dreg up the dociay of places I had visited.

"What time did you arrive?" Was the second after he cut me off part way through my unremitting list of stores. I answered that I was not sure since I hadn't checked the time before I departed. 

Many more questions followed concerning who the host of the party was, who it was intended for, when was the party to be held and if I purchased any food at the fall... ecetera ecetera. Having established that I was actually at the mall at that time and was not trying to blind him I was allowed by Adeptus to finish my account of my interaction with Nicholas. I continued from where I had left off.

"The guy was behind us on the esculator, he tapped me on the shoulder told me he wanted to speak with me, then we sat down and he told me it was time to meet my maker." The word soulmate almost slipped out of my mouth.

"We spoke for a while and he told me how I had been saved in a car crash by my creator..." From there on there was not much I could or would reveal to him. 

"And we left after that." I finished watching Adeptuses face for signs of mistrust. He seemed to mull it over in his mind for an interval.