being lost forever during the last Flux Age. The Vevestris took it upon themselves to protect aquilan lore from being lost once the last aquilan died out. Now that my people are returning, we have access to Flux knowledge the lycans can only dream about.”
Florence stared at Julian for several seconds, perhaps deciding whether to trust him or not. He tried to project a cool, calm air, mindful that this was a critical moment.
Finally, Florence spoke. “You were right about the cercarium. I spent my first year of life trapped in those walls. I don’t remember anything specific, but occasionally I dream about that time. My mother’s body. It was near me the whole time. Nourishing me. It’s hard to explain.”
“The cercarium,” Julian said quietly. “It’s what kept you lycans alive after the last Flux Age faded.”
Florence met Julian’s gaze. “It did,” she said. “And that’s why we guard it so fiercely.”
Florence had clearly decided to be honest with Julian, but there was also a hint of a threat in those words. Julian nodded, letting go of Florence’s hand. The boundaries had been established, but that didn’t mean there was no prospect of intimacy between them.
Julian smiled at Florence, sensing a change in tone was required.
“You follow the Knicks?”
Florence beamed. “You kidding? Only for the last fifty years.”
The pair stood as Julian paid the bill. “Just how old are you anyway?” he asked.
“Kinda rude to ask a lady,” Florence teased, “But I’m almost twenty-one.”
Julian blinked.
“… in my second century of life.”
Julian’s frown collapsed into an easy smile as they left Maxim’s and emerged into the cold street. He didn’t know what to make of Florence’s age. It fascinated and intimidated him in equal measure. What had she seen? Where had she traveled? There were so many questions.
Now that there was a game to attend, Julian had a pit stop to make. This time it was his turn to purchase a change of clothes. In the end he selected a pair of simple linen trousers and a casual jacket.
“You make it look effortless,” Florence commented as they left the store.
“Hey, I was raised on the upper east side,” Julian said with a grin. “My uncle would never leave the house without a double-breasted suit.”
“I never thought I could date someone like you,” Florence said, shaking her head.
“So is that what this is? A date?” Julian asked teasingly.
“Hey you had me when you mentioned the Knicks,” Florence said.
“Which reminds me,” Julian said. “We need a … taxi!”
The pair reached Madison Square Garden with time to spare. That night the Knicks were hosting the Bulls and a full house was expected.
“Don’t tell me …” Florence groaned as Julian led her down the packed terraces of the huge stadium. The aquilan grinned as he marched his date right up to a courtside row of seats and claimed two in the middle.
“Perks of the job,” he said a little sheepishly. “I’m usually hosting some boring businessman. Much happier with this situation.”
“I can’t believe it,” Florence beamed as the players were announced amid general euphoric cheering. “I could never tell my friends I scored courtside seats.”
“Then don’t,” Julian said with a smile. “I’m happy to keep your dirty secrets.”
The game was a close one. The Bulls eventually got up by three points. Julian enjoyed Florence’s animated support more than the actual game.
“Your cussing vocabulary is something I aspire to,” he said as the final horn sounded.
Florence smiled, embarrassed. “Come on, the ref was clearly on the take,” she said grumpily. “I thought my heart was about to finally quit on me.”
Florence was about to head for the exit like everyone else but Julian grabbed her hand.
“No need for that,” he said cryptically, leading her further up into the highest seats.
“Something tells me you have a particular view in mind?”
Florence stared at Julian for several seconds, perhaps deciding whether to trust him or not. He tried to project a cool, calm air, mindful that this was a critical moment.
Finally, Florence spoke. “You were right about the cercarium. I spent my first year of life trapped in those walls. I don’t remember anything specific, but occasionally I dream about that time. My mother’s body. It was near me the whole time. Nourishing me. It’s hard to explain.”
“The cercarium,” Julian said quietly. “It’s what kept you lycans alive after the last Flux Age faded.”
Florence met Julian’s gaze. “It did,” she said. “And that’s why we guard it so fiercely.”
Florence had clearly decided to be honest with Julian, but there was also a hint of a threat in those words. Julian nodded, letting go of Florence’s hand. The boundaries had been established, but that didn’t mean there was no prospect of intimacy between them.
Julian smiled at Florence, sensing a change in tone was required.
“You follow the Knicks?”
Florence beamed. “You kidding? Only for the last fifty years.”
The pair stood as Julian paid the bill. “Just how old are you anyway?” he asked.
“Kinda rude to ask a lady,” Florence teased, “But I’m almost twenty-one.”
Julian blinked.
“… in my second century of life.”
Julian’s frown collapsed into an easy smile as they left Maxim’s and emerged into the cold street. He didn’t know what to make of Florence’s age. It fascinated and intimidated him in equal measure. What had she seen? Where had she traveled? There were so many questions.
Now that there was a game to attend, Julian had a pit stop to make. This time it was his turn to purchase a change of clothes. In the end he selected a pair of simple linen trousers and a casual jacket.
“You make it look effortless,” Florence commented as they left the store.
“Hey, I was raised on the upper east side,” Julian said with a grin. “My uncle would never leave the house without a double-breasted suit.”
“I never thought I could date someone like you,” Florence said, shaking her head.
“So is that what this is? A date?” Julian asked teasingly.
“Hey you had me when you mentioned the Knicks,” Florence said.
“Which reminds me,” Julian said. “We need a … taxi!”
The pair reached Madison Square Garden with time to spare. That night the Knicks were hosting the Bulls and a full house was expected.
“Don’t tell me …” Florence groaned as Julian led her down the packed terraces of the huge stadium. The aquilan grinned as he marched his date right up to a courtside row of seats and claimed two in the middle.
“Perks of the job,” he said a little sheepishly. “I’m usually hosting some boring businessman. Much happier with this situation.”
“I can’t believe it,” Florence beamed as the players were announced amid general euphoric cheering. “I could never tell my friends I scored courtside seats.”
“Then don’t,” Julian said with a smile. “I’m happy to keep your dirty secrets.”
The game was a close one. The Bulls eventually got up by three points. Julian enjoyed Florence’s animated support more than the actual game.
“Your cussing vocabulary is something I aspire to,” he said as the final horn sounded.
Florence smiled, embarrassed. “Come on, the ref was clearly on the take,” she said grumpily. “I thought my heart was about to finally quit on me.”
Florence was about to head for the exit like everyone else but Julian grabbed her hand.
“No need for that,” he said cryptically, leading her further up into the highest seats.
“Something tells me you have a particular view in mind?”
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