Ghost and the Writer

Hal

The person waving at August from the fountain was the last thing Mandy would have imagined from the brother of 'princess' August.

Hal was tall, massive, ripped and the only thing he shared with August was eye shape and color, everything else was that of a --Viking. That is - if one would transport one to modern times and dress him in ripped jeans and a t-shirt that stretched over his muscles. Dark blonde hair fell over his shoulders in messy curls, yet accessories and other little details told that this look was deliberate rather than due to lack of care.

So this was-- perfect in August's impression... Mandy didn't know what to think on that. Hm. Hmmmm. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Yes, this was not a man one would ever confuse for a girl or call 'gaylord' even as a joke, he oozed manliness. He and Ceruleum were of the same height, but Ceruluem looked like a twig next to Hal - or, in fantasy terms, like an elven prince next to a heroic warrior.

"Sup?" He asked August, before he moved his eyes over Mandybird and the rest of them, taking notice of the bracelets, then turning back to August. Like with Tia, it was easy to tell that there were question marks in his eyes. In fact, he seemed to share a lot of small little mannerisms with Tia.

"Hal, can you take these three shopping for clothes and stuff? My deadlines are killing me." August did not beat around the bush.

"Uh... sure?" Hal replied.

Riveria pouted. "Not fair, why does Mandy get to stay with you?"

"Because she doesn't need clothes," August replied.

Hal's eyes turned to look at the bird, a trace of realization passing over them. Mandy had a feeling Hal had heard something about her, maybe?

"But I have these," Riveria said, proudly puffing out her chest.

August sighed. "If you want to live with me, then you need more."

Riveria's eyes sparkled over at the 'live with me' part and she gave up on arguing.

Hal crossed his arms. "I think I know who this one is," he said looking at Riveria.

"Veri," Riveria inserted her name.

"Yes." August nodded. "I used to date her. The other two are same class beings - Leum and Albus."

Hal's eyes widened. "Are you finally class changing?"

August pursed his lips. "Finally?" He didn't look amused at the assumption.

The guess had been off, but Mandy was really curious what Hal meant with that. She didn't feel it was a good idea to barge in with a question, but that didn't change the curious glint in her eyes.

Hal smiled a bit. "Nevermind. So - I guess they need everything?"

"Yes, I'd rather they blend in," August said.

Hal nodded, looking the three over. "Okay. Best of luck with your deadlines," he said with a smile, then waved at the three to follow him.

A bit reluctantly the three did and Mandy and August were left alone. August let out a sigh, looking tired after they left, then turned to head home.

Mandy was silent for a while, both because they were around other people and also - because she had forgotten the question about class change and returned to feeling conflicted about the idea of Leum stealing August away. August too, hadn't asked a thing more when Leum confessed - neither about his future nor what kind of things Leum had seen? So even when they stepped on a reasonably deserted street, Mandy had a hard time to figure out what to ask.