Page 95 of Beyond The Maples
We'd asked Berkley and Tarius to come out with us tonight, but they'd both declined. Berkley is still acting odd, and I've yet to catch him alone so we can talk.
Tarius had simply said it was to "people-y" for him, which somehow made sense, so I guess I speak Tarius now.
I smile as Leo finishes his beverage, his volume continuing to rise, and he speaks more and more with his hands.
"Who would like to dance with me!?" he hollers through a burp.
Farra is shaking her head in feigned disgust, but to my surprise, Deacon drags Leo by the hand to the dance floor, causing us both to laugh. Deacon towers over Leo, and quickly takes the lead, swinging him around the dance floor. We're laughing, watching Leo trip on his own feet over and over, as Deacon catches and twirls him with ease.
As the second song starts, I grab Farra's hand; she tries to plant her feet into the floor, but it's no use. I pull her in.
Once she's on the dance floor, something happens. The beat of the song seems to overcome her, and she completely loses herself to the music. We bounce aroundeach other, laughing and swaying with the music. At some point Deacon leaves and comes back to plop more drinks down on our table, all of us taking turns going back to our booth to drink. The song slows, and Deacon pulls me into a familiar embrace, resting his chin on my head and squeezing me tightly. We move together in comfortable silence.
"Are you having fun?" he asks softly.
I pull back slightly, a little thrown off by his question. I search his face for the meaning; I see something pass across his features that looks an awful lot like regret.
"Of course I am. This is perfect," I say, trying to reassure whatever's got his attention right now.
"Are you..." He pauses. "Are you glad I followed you out here?" he asks sheepishly.
I let out a deep sigh and lean so my head rests on his chest.
"I'm glad you're here, Dea," I say, although I'm glad I'm not facing him, because he might see the hint of uncertainty I feel as I say the words. The whisper of a lie in them.
"Good," he says, snuggling closer to me. "Because I'd follow you anywhere, little tree," he murmurs into my hair. My brows pinch at his words, an ache blooming in my chest.
But, what if I don't want that anymore?I think to myself. At one point, those words would have made me swoon. A stark contrast to how I feel now.
To my relief, the song ends, and we're pulled apart by my friends. Leo challenges Deacon to a game of darts, giving me a subtle nod; time to mingle. Even drunk, he's wildly perceptive. We really don't give him enough credit.
Farra and I head to the bar. I pass the table of travellers and give the nearest one a shy smile, tucking my hair behind my ear. He takes the bait almost instantly, and follows me to the bar.
"Hey ladies, can I get you two a drink?" he says, leaning over the bar in what I assume is supposed to be a casual stance, but just looks incredibly sloppy.
Farra grimaces and I elbow her.
"We're ok for now," I say sweetly. "Where are you from?"
"All over, really. Traveling’s in my blood," he says through a slurred burp. Charming.
"That sounds fun. Where's the coolest place you've ever been?" I ask innocently, propping my elbow on the table, and balancing my head in my hand like he's the most interesting thing in the world.
"Well, hon, that depends. I've been to the tar pits. I've been in and out of most parts of this continent. Was a sailor before the seas turned against us. Was in Zaphira a while back," he mumbles, sucking the last drops of his drink, his tongue slopping around his mouth, as he signals for another.
"Oh really? What was Zaphira like?" I question.
"Oh, wouldn't you... like to know?" He hiccups through the sentence mumbling. This might be a dead end.
"SHE SAID..." Farra starts, practically screaming, speaking slowly as if he doesn't understand the common tongue. But she's cut off by one of his younger, more coherent friends.
He smacks the old man on the back of his head.
"Stop scaring the women, Uncle Chem."
The old man grumbles, taking his new drink back to the table of misfits behind us.
"Hello ladies, sorry about that. He's a blubbering idiot, but he's about the only family I have left," says the young man, with a laugh.
