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Eddi dragged the cushions across the grass, coffee in one hand, pillow matter in the other. The phouka ran up behind her in dog form, tail wagging, more cushions clenched between his teeth.
“Could you not be a dog tonight?”
“Why ever not? I know I make an adorable dog.” Though muffled through the pillow, Eddi could make out every hint of smugness in his voice.
“I never said that.”
“Sure you did, love.” He looked up at her, puppy-dog eyes wide and shining, tail flicking back and forth like a metronome.
“Ugh, stop.” She waved a hand in his face. “Go normal mode!”
“As you wish, my primrose.” But before he moved he added, “But this is ‘normal mode’ sometimes, right? Like when your brother comes over?” He winked, and she rolled her eyes.
He transformed, tall, lithe body rising up from the ground like magic.
Oh wait.
Duh.
“Thank you.” She smiled, the knot in her gut loosening just a bit. “Now help me set up the cushions and lights.”
The creek, full of splashing toddlers during the day, had emptied as the moon rose. Abandoned buckets and very small sandals were scattered across the rocks. Eddi swept those aside, and arranged the cushions in a neat circle. One for every band member.
Tonight, there was going to be an AMAZING charades party. She knew it. Carla was bringing snacks, Dan was bringing twinkle lights, and Hedge…
Well, he was bringing something.
The phouka dragged over the cooler, dumping the ice out of the bag.
“Hey, this one’s shaped like your head, Eddi!” He dug out one of the little balls of ice.
“Shut up.”
“No.” He smirked, sharp teeth pointing out of his lips. “It’s a compliment. Your head is one of the most finely shaped I've ever encountered.”
“Thanks but no thanks, lover boy.”
He grabbed her wrist, pulling her close to him. Dark curls spilled across his forehead, and the gentle touch of his chin on her head sent shivers up her spine.
“Is that a rejection?” he purred.
“No,” Eddi responded, voice soft.
He planted a soft, warm kiss on the top of her head, strong arms wrapped around her shoulders.
“Glad to hear it,” he breathed. “It’s a very nice head. Did I already mention that?”
Eddi laughed, and cuddled closer to his chest.
“Hey, I’ve been thinking-”
“Eddi!” Carla DiAmato skipped over the wet grass, bags of popcorn under each arm. “I would hug you but…” She shrugged, and dropped the popcorn. “Never mind! Girl, how’s it been? How’s life with the dog?” she asked, voice lowered.
The phouka spun around and started whistling.
Eddi sighed.
“Amazing. How about you and Dan? Anything fun?”
‘Hell, yeah.” She giggled. “Tell you more about it when I’m drunk.”
.__ . __ .
Hedge pulled up last, and, thankfully, brought more blankets.
He was as quiet as ever, but the whole group was ready for the night off. They’d been on tour for the past few months, and it was almost as tiring as that final fight against the Dark Lady.
There was still a hole where Willy had been. They still looked for his guitar, for his sparkling humor, for anything. Eddi hadn't told anybody but the phouka, but nightmares of Willy’s death, his hair black and red with blood, still haunted her.
The rage she felt that night solidified into a kind of courage. It was the opening note, the first strum of the strings. See knew that on certain nights, certain shows, the whole band played for Willy Silver of the Seelie Court.
The phouka seemed to sense her sadness, and drifted over to her. Still a bodyguard at heart, it seemed.
“Hey, flower.” A warm hand slipped around her waist, and the calm, soothing yet invigorating. He kissed her, softly, gently. A careful, languid connection.
“How are you so good at this?” Eddi asked, voice hollow and rough.
“I take daily inspiration from you, beautiful. I suggest taking inspiration from this.” He slid his hands down his chest, and she sighed.
“You’re ridiculous.”
“And yet…” he whispered. “You like it, just the same.”
“Lovebirds!” Carla’s voice rang out from the picnic blanket and cushions a little ways away. “Just grab the beers and get over here!”
“Coming.” Eddi rolled the cooler closer to herself, the moment broken.
“All right, guys,” Crala said, as soon as they sat down. “This will be an incredible charades party. Who’s ready?”
Eddi cheered, the noise echoing across the burbling creek.
“Danny will be the first. I try to guess what he’s miming before you guys do. Sound good?”
“Car. We know.” Eddi and the Fey played charades practically every other night on tour.
“Fine.” Carla raised her hands in mock surrender. “Then let's do this.”
She turned up the speaker, and “In A Different Light” came on. The Bangles opening came on, and Eddi dissolved into the party, feeling the vocals soak into her bones.
“I see you in a different light
I see you in a different light
I wanna make a movie
I wanna put you on the silver screen
Sit in a darkened room and look at you from a distance…”
.__ . __ .
The phouka hopped from one foot to the other, arms in the air.
“Uh… rabbit?” Eddi guessed.
He shook his head, and jumped more vigorously, arms waving back and forth above his head.
“What is this?! Can you do a new action?” This had been going on for way too long. He was decidedly terrible at charades, and the blanket fort Eddi was hiding in was not helping.
He shrugged, and got down on all fours, then stood, arms bent at right angles.
“Shit! Squirrel!!!” Carla yelled. Eddi gave her a sideways glance.
“That is definitely not a squirrel, Car.” She paused, and looked at the phouka. “It isn’t, is it?”
He shook his head.
“No!” Her friend was scrambling up from the blanket, and starting to run up the hill. “A squirrel took the popcorn, Eddi!”
Everyone, even the phouka, startled and still out of breath from his hopping, started running after Carla, chasing the little puffy, gray rodent carrying their food. The grass was slightly slippery, and a rumble of thunder crossed the sky.
“Come back! I need that popcorn!”
Carla took it maybe a bit harder than the rest of them as the little thief scampered up a tree, giant prize in hand. In tooth? She stood at the trunk, shaking her fist at the little rascal.
As Dan caught up to her, everyone laughing and slipping on the grass, the rain broke.
Big, fat droplets plunged out of the clouds, and Eddi spun around the phouka’s arm, smiling and laughing up the night sky.