Ditching the Demons

Why Most Elves Don't Like Tourists

Why Most Elves Don't Like Tourists

“Myra…” Dru sounded a bit irritated. His stance—arms folded and one foot tapping—further revealed his current attitude. “Your story is a bit hard to believe.”

Myra had just gotten through recounting her and Meris’s adventures during the past twelve hours. “Well, it’s true!” she said indignantly. How dare he accuse me of lying? What ever happened to the Dru who would say something like: “I’m sure you could never do anything wrong, darling”? Wait! He didn’t even call me “darling” this time. Something is definitely wrong.

“Giant chickens and killer moss?” he asked disbelievingly. “Are you sure that’s all that happened?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“His smell is all over you!” Dru’s hands formed fists which he now held straight-armed against his sides.

Ok, so she hadn't told him everything that had happened the night before. But that was because she knew he would probably end up over-reacting, like this. Unfortunately, she hadn't taken his hyper-animal-demon senses into account. “Nothing. Happened. Dru.”

“Ok, I’ll believe you,” he consented, “but only if you promise to spend the rest of the day with me.”

She gave him a sideways glance. Just what kind of person allows his trust to be based on post circumstantial favors? Obviously he’s disturbed mentally. But if that’s what it takes to get him to stop looking at me like I broke his favorite toy…

“Fine.”

“Woo hoo!” he shouted happily while picking her up and twirling a few times then setting her back down on her feet. “You and I are going to have the best day ever!” he said, lightly poking her nose on the last word.

Taking her hand, Dru started to drag her down the main street of the Elvin village. “I found this really great brochure earlier when we were waiting for you and Meris.” He showed her a glossy, folded paper that on the cover said: “Your ultimate guide to a perfect day in Elvin Village.” Whipping it open with his free hand and looking at the contents, he cleared his throat and announced, “First, I’m going to take you out to breakfast at the best place in town. Then, we’ll visit the petting zoo—you like animals, don’t you?—well, I’ll bet you’ve never pet a live Jackalope before.

“After that, we can go to the shopping district where they have a really big curiosity shop. And since we’d be in the area, we can get food for a picnic. Then go to the park, eat, play around, go swimming in the lake, maybe do some flirting, and that will hopefully lead to...”

“Dru.” Sam was suddenly in their path, blocking the way. Myra felt uncommonly relieved at his appearance. She didn’t really like the direction Dru’s rambling had just turned. “Dru,” Sam said again. “We have to leave now.”

Dru looked extremely crestfallen. “But-but, the town brochure,” he whimpered, holding up the colorful packet. “I made plans, with Myra.” His lower lip was quivering and his ears were flat against his head.

Sam put a hand on Dru’s shoulder. “I understand you are upset. But the elders of this town were quite insistent. We are to leave as soon as possible.”

“What about Meris?” Myra asked. She was kind of looking forward to doing some of the fun stuff Dru had planned for them (even thoug she wasn’t about to let either of the boys know that), so she blurted out the first excuse to stay she could think of, which just happened to be the poor vampire’s health. “He couldn’t possibly be better already.”