Pretty Boy Psycho

Stood outside the noodle house I’m thinking this was a pretty lame place to invite Casey for our first date. Most diners run in and hurry out with cartons of noodles. I pop my head round the door to see what the atmosphere is like inside. There are a few empty tables that look as though they have not been used in years. Shame.

Here comes Casey, on time, as he always is for appointments. He casually cruises down the street on his skateboard, staring up at red paper lanterns on his way. I hope I look decent. Was a rush getting here. We were called into Courtney’s office over this fire at Spindle Tower. Geordie made up some wild story about us going nowhere near the place let alone me being taken captive and experimented on. Obviously, Midnight was the liar because here I was breathing. Cain even backed us up. Said we’d hung out together that evening. That Midnight was obviously making trouble for him. Then we were sent on an annoying patrol round Dover to see if any Thunder camps had been put up. There were a couple of new additions. Then I flew home fast. Threw on a new outfit. Sorted my hair and flew straight here.

Here’s Casey! I straighten out my left sleeve hoping to make an amazing first impression on our first date, sorry, outing together.

Casey hops off his board. His left leg buckles beneath him then he hovers on it, putting most of his weight on his right leg. “What happened?” I blurt not the best greeting in the world. Especially when he looks much more handsome than me in his red shirt with the slit right down the middle of the chest, that almost doesn’t leave enough room for the imagination.

“I tried boarding off your roof.” Casey makes a zoom motion with his arm then darts his hand downwards. “It didn’t go quite to plan. I came off on landing. Bashed my knee.”

“The roof! I was kidding.”

“Were you? I will board off anything suggested just so you know. I would like to go from the top of a waterfall one day. Know where we can find one of those?”

So, it is alright for him to jump off the roof, but I am not allowed to sit up there. Figures. I bite my tongue not wanting to spoil our evening before it’s even started especially seen as he seems to have let my pot smoking go.

“Nope. Charlie might know. He’s good at geography. I don’t think you should be leaping off waterfalls.”

“Boarding off waterfalls,” Casey corrects as he enters the noodle bar. “And I have Prince so if I am terribly off balance he will be on standby to catch me. My boarding is the same as you free falling.” Casey places his board out the way by an umbrella stand then gives a slight bow with his hands pressed together in greeting to the elderly man at the head of the counter.

“Nǐ hǎo Casey.”

“Nǐ hǎo ma?”

“Gèng hǎo dì wéi nín de guānglín.”

“Liáng. Wǒ kěyǐ yǒu wǒ de chángguī biǎogé, qǐng?”

The man at the counter nods and Casey takes me over to a table by the window.

“Wow, I didn’t know you could speak Chinese.”

“Mandarin. Sure, I think it is important to know another language save your own. I am surprised Danny doesn’t know any Japanese.”

“I think he does. He chooses not to speak it since his sister went missing. Then shut down from where he came from completely when his mum wandered off with the affliction.”

“And his dad?”

“He doesn’t speak about him. Geordie doesn’t even know any history about Mister Kaito. Where did you learn to speak Mandarin? I didn’t think it was on the Kensington Palace curriculum.”

“It isn’t. Jiahao taught me.” Casey smiles at the elderly man as he comes over to us with a couple of menus.

“Shì zhège nán péngyǒu?”

Casey nods. “Yes.” Which makes Jiahao clap and whoop. This reaction has Casey blush a slight shade of pink which is very unlike him.

“Pleasure to meet you.” Jiahao breaks into English and holds his hand out to me.

“Al.” I say on shaking Jiahao’s hand which is patchy with grey. The affliction.

“Alex?!” Jiahao slaps Casey enthusiastically on the shoulder. “I told you polite letter would work. Nice boys like letters. They do.” Jiahao returns to his counter with a bounce in his slow steps.

“He knows me?”

“I might have mentioned you to him a couple of times,” Casey scans down the menu, “when I’ve been confused or at the end of my fuse.”

“How so?”

“Liking boys doesn’t bode well under my parents’ roof. They know the way in which I am inclined not that I’ve told them. I’d most likely have ended up getting a thrashing. Jiahao listened to me. Taught me Mandarin. Has been waiting for me to bring a decent boy to his noodle bar.” Casey laughs. “I told him it’d be you. He suggested me writing to you.”

“A polite letter. Your letters were demanding in tone.”

His naughty smile appears. “My patience levels were low. Have you decided what you want to eat yet?”

I hold up the menu having a look. As I do Casey snatches it from my hands. “I’ll take this as a no. Not to worry I will choose you something.” Off he goes to order our food at the counter. I keep glancing at him with a nervous sensation taking over. When he returns to his seat I wonder what we’ll talk about. End up tapping the tabletop.

Casey mirrors my tapping. “Surely you’re not intimidated by our outing. This was your idea after all.” From blushing to being ever so pale. Is he as nervous as me?

I fold my arms on top of the table. A part of me is scared we’re all about the sex. He might find me positively dull.

“Mi was asking after you today. Thinks you’re a riot. Is demanding I invite you to the skate park. What did you say to him yesterday?”

“I honestly can’t remember. Frankie still hates me, right?”

“Frankie doesn’t hate you. He’s snotty with everyone except me.”

“How come?”

“How should I know? Ask him yourself.”

I burst into laughter.

“What?”

“You’re so funny.”

“Really? I’m only answering your question.”

“You make me laugh how you’re polite in the rudest way possible.”

“My most special talent.”

We’re not just sexually compatible. When our noodles arrive, we’re talking fluidly without having to think about what to say, like we used to in my old bedroom, when Casey was cheering me up. Only this time I don’t need cheering and am the best version of me so can talk back full of confidence and appreciate every facial expression and gesture. He’s super skilled with chopsticks. At least most of the time. Occasionally he’ll miss his mouth and looks as though he’s forcing himself to swallow. Oops probs going out for a meal isn’t a great place to take a date on when they have eating issues. I’m such a messy eater compared to him.

“You’re the first person to find me naturally funny,” says Casey as he places chopsticks into an almost empty bowl. “I guess you have an odd sense of humour.” He takes some water real slow while I finish my dinner.

“I do.” Dinner done. Silence. We smile at each other across the table. After a long few seconds I cross my eyes so does Case, mirroring me. “What do you want to do next Friday evening?”

“You assume our outings are going to be a weekly event?” Hands clasp together.

I flick my hair. “They certainly are. I vote kite flying.”

“You can fly kites in your own time. I will think of what we will do next time, assuming I want to do anything with you.”

We race each other to the counter to pay the bill. We arrive at the same time which results in us trying to elbow each other away from the counter. Casey’s arms are stronger than mine although I have an advantage with his limp. I slam coins down onto the counter when Casey is busy steadying himself.

Jiahao shakes his head. “No need to pay twice.”

Casey showers coins onto the top of mine. “I am paying for dinner.”

“I’m buying you dinner because you’re so handsome.”

Before an argument can take off Jiahao splits the money three ways. Takes a portion for himself. Pushes a coin into my hands. “Yin.” Then gives Casey a coin back. “Yang. You boys never hear of halves? Split down the middle. Both pay. Sorted.”

“Yin is supposed to be feminine,” says Casey all smug. “Let’s go Yin.”

“Hey!” I wail. “That’s not fair.”

“Not my fault you were born the pretty one.”

His limp is bad. I pick up his skateboard on our way out and let him use me as extra support for his left side.

“Then again you are the bright positive one which is Yang. Whereas I am darker and more negative.”

“That’s okay. I don’t believe in gender.”

Casey suddenly slumps on me when we’re halfway down the street. His breathing sounds ragged.

“Are you sure you had a skateboard accident?” Why am I even asking? He’s still pale but doesn’t seem the least bit nervous of me. Bashed knees just don’t have this effect on tough lads like Casey. “Tell me what’s happened.” My stomach lurches into a huge sinking hole.

Holding my hand, Casey takes a step back from me, trying to stand independently, save for holding my hand. “Before I got to school today Midnight collared me. She’s not stupid. Knows one of us got you out the tower. She slashed my leg.”

“Slashed, then you’ll be alright. Right?”

“There was poison on the moonblade. Frankie took me to see Anthony. He has no idea how to neutralise this poison. It’s riding my bloodstream. Killing me. I don’t think I’ll last much longer.”

I shake my head. “We just had dinner. We were laughing, eating, talking. We’re going to find a waterfall and you’re gonna board off it. Yeah?”

Casey shakes his head. “You’re going to find a waterfall and have a lovely life. Lots of waterfalls. I hope you can forgive me for deceiving you, but I wanted one outing with you in my life; I’m selfish like that. Listen. If Anthony’s prediction is right, then I ought to have say an hour left. Sorry to spring this on you but I need you to do one last thing for me.”

I squeeze his hand. The veins are protruding as though the blood riding them is gasping. “Anything.” Must keep strong. No tears no tears no tears. Case must be terrified. I would be if I knew I was dying.

“Come on a night flight. Keep in the sky with me on Prince until I stop breathing. If I died young it was supposed to be in a freak skateboarding accident. Riding Prince will have to do. When I’m dead you take me home and bury me between the two hills with my skateboard, a bottle of champagne, and that sketch of us I keep on my desk. Can you do that for me please?”

I can’t stand him talking this way. “I will.” My heart bursts open. I want to reach for my switchblades and send them straight through Midnight. She’s walking dead. No more talk. I shield this new found anger as Sunshine lands right by us and gives Casey’s bad leg a nudge.

I hold the skateboard out to Sunshine. “Take Casey’s board home.”

Casey gives Sunshine’s head a pat goodbye. I am not ready for a last goodbye myself. I’m not even sure the news he’s dying has hit me. Then again, he isn’t dead. We have an hour. “We are going to have the best hour ever,” I say as Prince clatters over to us.

Casey tries to sit on the kerb; I guide him towards Prince instead, scared if he sits he won’t get up again. I help him onto his ride. As I get on behind him, I hate how he saved me from Spindle Tower. I should be the one dying. Keep these thoughts to myself. I need to be as positive as possible. This is what we’re doing next. I never want to fly a kite. Never, never, never.

“Ready?”

He’s asking me if I’m ready. Should be the other way around. I find a smile because he’s going to control the situation right to the bitter end. “Yes.” I loop my arms round his waist for take-off. This time he doesn’t tense up.

“Sorry to put you through this without warning,” says Casey as we reach the barrier.

“Don’t be silly, I love going on night flights with you. I’m honoured you want to spend your hour with me.” We break through the Cloud Barrier. It’s rather cloudy. I press my head into Casey’s shoulder as his breathing grows laboured.

We ride in silence for a few minutes admiring the view then the question is asked that makes me want to choke on my own breath. “Would you have married me one day?”

There’s no need to think about an answer. “Definitely. I was planning on keeping you for as long as you wanted me.”

Casey turns his head to face me. He’s ghastly pale. I should have realised when we were having dinner he wasn’t fit to be up and about. He kisses me. It only lasts a few seconds because he’s struggling to breathe. His lips are so cold. “You’re going to be alright. I know you will. Takes time,” he says as we part lips.

I won’t. As he starts to really slump, I am having to hold him for support rather than keep myself balanced. My eyes water over and leak down my cheeks. When I was battling with depression I never felt as sad and hopeless as I do now. It’s as though there’ll never be sunshine in my world again just distant handsome clouds, I won’t be able to reach.

“Case.” I give him a little shake because he’s gone quiet. No response. “Casey.” I place a couple of fingers on his neck. As I do Prince picks up his speed. Really picks up speed. I’m waiting ages but there’s a struggling pulse. Still alive. “Prince, slow down, we need to keep Casey comfortable.” My request only has Prince fly faster. Casey gives a low grunt as we start plummeting out the sky, through the barrier. “Prince, please slow down!” I shriek scared we’ll make a crash landing.

We do crash land some place high up. I end up falling backwards onto hard rock, while Casey rolls away from me. Prince stands over him screeing in violent screeches.

“Prince no, he’s not dead yet!” I yell as Prince makes a dive for flesh with his razor sharp beak looking exactly like the skeletal that started tearing strips from Charlie’s arms. “Please don’t eat him!”

I take out my switchblades, charge at Prince. A strong wing bats at me, clips my cheek, pushes me over. I grip my blades extra tight, ready to try for a second attack, stop on my knees. Prince’s beak clamps down on Casey’s hurt leg, where the poison entered. Veins in membrane glow dark inky blue. Glow, then flash in pumping motions like a beating heart, until the glow pumps to be no more. Prince lifts his head in his usual victory pose, screeching away.

Casey groans as he clutches at his leg. I flick away my blades. Drop them on the floor for the first time ever, and crawl over to Casey. Place a hand on his wrist as he grips his leg. Feel blood pumping rapidly through his veins which are prominently blue as they settle back to normal.

“What’s happening?”

“Keep calm. We had a minor crash landing. We’re okay.” I get hold of his shoulders and sit him upright. “You’re alright, Casey Hillcrest.” He falls forwards into me. I rub his back, trying to settle him as he catches his breath. “Prince got you covered.” I look round. Trying to figure out where we are. See the shadow of a cabin. Watch Post. A happy sanctuary for Cloud Associates in times of trouble. “How are you feeling?”

“Woozy but breathing is easier than before. What happened?”

“I think Prince sucked the poison out of your bloodstream.”

Scree scree goes Prince in a softer tone as though to say: That is exactly right. He comes over to us. Licks at blood sheening on Casey’s leg. When he’s lapped up all the dead blood his raptor eyes flicker over his rider. I nudge Casey towards Prince wondering what will happen. Skeletals are renowned for being distant. They are also loyal till death. Prince extends a front leg to block Casey from falling, lets him lean as he finds his breath. Takes him a few minutes until he’s steadier then giving his hysterical laugh, Casey falls onto his back, keeps up laughing. I give him a couple of minutes then help him onto Prince for the flight home. I hold round his waist really hugging him as we journey home. So thankful to have him in my life. There’s a nagging worry I got the whole situation wrong, that he’s still got poison within his blood but when I hear his regular breathing it puts my mind at ease.

Home. Prince soon has us there. Glides in-between the two hills. Our friends are congregated outside on the veranda amongst lanterns. Frankie and Geordie come running over to help me get Casey safely down from his ride.

“What are you doing here?” asks Casey as he gets himself down from Prince.

“I needed to see you,” says Frankie.

“My corpse you mean.”

“Well where is it?” Frankie leans round Casey’s side, looking for a body.

“Anthony is a fraud. Gave me a misdiagnosis. Apparently, there is a cure for moonblade poison. Extremely talented skeletals can suck it out. I shall be filing a complaint. Was that for me?”

“Still is. You’re freezing.” Geordie wraps a taught white sheet round Casey’s shoulders. “Get inside before you give someone heart failure.”

I leave Frankie to get Casey the rest of the way to safety. Stay stood on the spot obsessively flicking at a switchblade. Flick flick flick.

“Al lad, you okay?”

I tilt my head slightly to one side. Admiring the shiny blade. “You know that anger you use in combat? Mine got triggered tonight. When a Harlington gets angry you better tread carefully.” Flick.

“Oka-a-y plan?”

“In”, flick, “and out.”

“This really doesn’t sound like you.”

“Sounds exactly like me when someone directly tries to take the life of a family member to make me suffer. The only way to make sure she doesn’t pull any more stunts on Casey is death. I nearly saw his corpse tonight. What kind of date night is that?”

“A screwed up one. Team Geordie will strike.”

“No more talk?”

“No more talking we’ll do it with or without a solid plan.”

“That’s all I needed to hear tonight.” I strap my blades onto my arms. Go inside. Casey’s sat by the fire amongst many cushions in-between Frankie and Mi. His face is still pale. Danny passes him a cup of voddy for medicinal purposes. I sit on the sofa not wanting to intrude. Danny sits with me. I think Geordie and Charlie are plotting in the kitchen.

“Where is my death champagne?” asks Casey when he has polished off his voddy.

“I think one cup of vodka will suffice,” says Frankie.

“Fetch me the champagne.” Casey nudges Mi with his elbow. “We have something to celebrate.”

“You’re alive. Save the champagne for breakfast perhaps,” says Frankie.

“Not my living life.” Casey twists his head to face me. His naughty smile in place. “Don’t think I have forgotten. You said you wanted to marry me. Unless of course you were only saying so to make me happy as I was dying. I totally understand.”

I end up knelt on the cushions opposite him. “I won’t be backing out because you’re alive. Today proved how short life can be meaning we shouldn’t wait around if we feel the same way about each other.” Hold both his hands. “Will you marry me?”

“Yes. When?”

“Summer time? I like summer.”

“August then. I’ll marry you in August. Don’t think I’m giving up my name. We’ll have to double barrel them I suppose. Casey Hillcrest-Harlington I can live with that.”

“Hey, alphabetically mine comes first.”

“Difficult child. Fine Harlington-Hillcrest whatever you fancy, Yin.”

“You’ve only been back together a couple of weeks,” says Danny incredulous as he hands out champagne; has brought Geordie and Charlie with him too.

“But have thought about each other for years.” I chink glasses with my fiancée! “Clink clink.”

“Are you two like one hundred percent?” asks Geordie.

“Nope but that is what divorce is for,” jokes Casey.

“You’d divorce me!” I wail.

“Only if you cheated on me.” Casey leans into my shoulder trying to hide a yawn. He’s super tired but is still managing to drink his chammy. Well sort of. Manages half before it ends up on the hearth. There’s like a patch of blood on my white trousers coming from Casey’s leg. I’m about to alert Charlie to the issue but he’s already on the case with medi kit to hand. Starts stitching together flesh where Prince clamped down.

“Battle scars, bro,” says Mi.

“You can like drop the brave face,” says Geordie as the needle stitches away.

“No brave face here,” says Frankie.

“No fear,” says Casey.

“No fear,” echo both Frankie and Mi.

Watching Casey get stitches makes me feel sick while he drifts off against my shoulder, as his leg gets bandaged up.

“Have you a blanket or quilt instead of this creepy sheet?” Frankie gives the sheet a tug.

“Mine,” Casey musters into my shoulder then pushes himself away from me. Lays on his back, clutching the sheet to himself, and breaks into laughter.

“You Kensington lads are crazy,” says Geordie. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing. He laughs when he’s having a hard time.” Frankie finishes off Casey’s chammy. “One time last year we were at the Black Market. Apparently, we were on some gang’s patch. As you can imagine Casey Hillcrest will not move when told. Ends up nearly getting his head smashed in on the pavement. He was laughing away then.”

“What happened?” asks Geordie.

Mi grins as though proud. “We tried to pull these thugs off. Sort of managed it. Thought I was toast then wham. Casey’s off the pavement. Put his locker key in-between his fingers when he punched. Startled this gang lad that previously had him on the ground. They fled. Left us to skateboard on their steps.”

“Not that we go looking to get into fights,” expresses Frankie, “but when challenged we will bite.”

Casey pulls himself up, using his friends’ shoulders. “No fear.”

“No fear,” echo both Frankie and Mi.

“Where are you going?” I ask.

“Tired. Bed. Night.”

He nearly falls over, but I grab him in time. “Let me help you then.”

“My room is only a few steps away. I’ll be fine.”

“Only is a long way when you’re lightheaded.” I wind my arm round his back being authoritative. Take him directly to his room where I sit him on the edge of the bed. Light a few candles. See how pale he still is. Keep telling myself he’s been poisoned no matter how tough he makes himself out to be. Have a browse through the wardrobe looking for a baggy shirt I know he likes to sleep in. Soon find it. Hold it out to him. “Want to wear this?”

“Can’t be bothered.”

“As stunning as you look in that outfit it’s not practical to sleep in. You’ll be un-comfy and crease the fabric out of place.”

Casey snatches the shirt from me. “Who made you a fashion guru?”

“Everyone who thinks I’m fashionable.” I wink then take a trip to the kitchen knowing he gets uncomfortable getting unchanged in front of people; even me, which is bizarre, but I totes understand why. Five minutes later I’m back with a jug of water and a cup. “In case you get thirsty. How does your blood flow feel?” I sit next to him.

“Regular I suppose.”

“You suppose?” I’m trying my bestest to sound upbeat despite being mega worried about his state of health. “Your heart doesn’t hurt or anything like that?” I slip two fingers onto his neck. Beat. Beat. Beat. I touch my own pulse at the same time. Beat. Beat. Beat. Their rates seem similar. The veins leading onto his hands appear normal flat blue. I expect I’ll be on edge until his colour returns. “Sleep will do you good.”

“Then let me get some.” Casey lays down and puts the quilt over his head. I get the message. Blow out the candles and leave him in peace; with the door open several fractions in case of emergency.

Seen as it’s still only early, about nine-ish, I take myself and subdued anger onto the veranda. Sit at the table someone generously gave us as their entry fee to our party. We’re worlds away from parties tonight. To think we were happy twenty-four hours ago, dancing. Now Casey’s exhausted from being poisoned and I’m seething in quiet rage.

What in the world do I do to make General Midnight turn her attention away from my family? Trying to come up with a solution I keep switching a blade. I can’t take off on my own that’d be reckless stupid but so would taking everyone else with me without a plan.

“Congratulations on your engagement.” Charlie sits in the chair opposite me. “He’s starting to grow on me.”

Flick. “Yes lovely.” Flick... Flick.

“Al, I was talking with Geordie. He thinks you have gone weird.”

“I am weird. How can I go weird if I already am?”

“What are you thinking?”

I stab the switchblade into the table. “Do you know what happens when a Harlington gets angry?”

“No can’t say I do. Tell me.”

“We get what we want. We’re spoilt.” I pull the switchblade out the table. Strap it to my arm. “Only it’s not a Geordie kind of angry. I can’t use my anger in combat like he does. I tell myself to protect everyone in the house. Problem is I don’t know how. My anger is subdued. I want to scream it out. If I scream Casey could end up dead. I thought I’d lost him forever at one point tonight. I am going to teach Midnight how dangerous hurting us is.”

“She is dangerous; we have to be careful.”

“She’s nothing save a bully and bullies are cowards.”

Charlie shakes his head. “Some breeds of bullies are power hungry sociopaths. Geordie says we’re going on lock down. No one leaves the house alone.”

“I refuse to go on lock down. We shall be brave, knock on her door, and get Geordie to punch her in the nose. I’ll back him up.”

“Big problem, you are unable to get to her front door.”

“Then we rally by The Plaza. Thunders cannot kill the whole of Kensington especially if we brought Cloud Association. I bet Geordie can get Team Cain to come and you could persuade Penelope to make logistics join us; she likes you. Me and Casey will get Kensington Palace students to come. Perhaps Danny can talk to Mister Hans; get Black Market residents to stage a peaceful protest. Yeah, a protest. You like to keep things peaceful. What do we want?”

“Err...”

“No more scaremongering about the affliction. I am sure you can make up a catchier slogan. I can paint it onto placards.”

“That’s madness Al but just might have an impact.”

“You think?”

“Appreciate afflicted lives.”

“Exactly! Midnight shouldn’t be experimenting on anybody.” I lean back in my chair and shout up at the barrier, “appreciate afflicted lives!”

Geordie thuds down from the roof. “What are you shouting about?”

“We’re creating plans to make us safe.”

“How does, appreciate afflicted lives, make our team safe? Sounds like you’re hiding behind sick people.”

“Charlie thinks a protest could work.”

“Your cause sucks. You should be protesting against Thunders making perfectly healthy people ill.” Geordie runs his fingers through one of his blue streaks. “Generating more work for Anthony. Poisoning my area manager before I’ve even taken him on a test flight. Whatever you protest I seriously doubt you making a pinprick of impact.”

“Then you come up with a better idea Mister Pessimist.”

“It’s Mister Realist, and I will by morning, so chill.”

I flash a peace sign. “You’ve got until nine thirty tomorrow morning then I steam ahead with my protest.”

“Deal.” Geordie sits on the table. “How’s your lad?”

“Sleeping.”

“His mates are sticking round tonight in case he relapses. Danny’s entertaining them. People always gravitate towards him even if he don’t say much. I don’t get it.”

“Some people are born super popular.”

“He threw popularity away to hang out with me.”

“Yeah?” I encourage.

“At the community centre on the outskirts of Hackney everyone wanted Danny to play tag with them. I mean everyone. They said I couldn’t play ’cause I was a Henley. I told them to fuck off. Not many four year olds had heard that word before, so I alienated myself even further at least thought I had. Danny came over to me and said, yeah fuck off, and sat with me. We watched everyone else play in silence. From then he’d follow me, and I let him. We had our own clique and rarely spoke with anyone else at the community centre. Got bored. Started skipping completely to explore the tube lines. Did you have any friends amongst the gypsy community, Captain Sensible?”

“I wouldn’t have called any of them friends,” says Charlie.

“That’s ’cause you’re all related.”

“It is a family business of course we’re related. Why do you have to be crude all the time? We never stayed in one place so making lasting friendships was tricky.”

“Quack, quack,” snickers Geordie. “You should think about asking to be Anthony’s apprentice.”

“How come?”

“’You’re smart and not squeamish. I’m gonna go into business with Al. He’s gonna sketch, and I’ll sell. Might even play guitar in pubs. The Cloudy lifestyle should only be part time. I’ll sort it. Do what you’re passionate about yeah. Do not let General Courtney make you feel obliged to work for her ’cause you gotta griffon. Hotaru chose you not them.”

“Getting to be part time isn’t simple.”

“Said I’d sort it for us, didn’t I? Danny’s already got Kensington Palace students signing up to his weapons training classes. Make a name for yourself in the medical world. Turn that family of yours jealous of your bright mind. I’m gonna try be sociable.” Off Geordie goes to make a nuisance of himself with Frankie and Mi.

“Why do me and him clash again?”

“Because you question him, I guess.”