Chapter 3:
“My best friend is a geek in the most adorable way ever.”-Cassidy
Cassidy
Present Day:
“Aren’t you excited?” I ask my best friend, Remington. “Come on, you love the sunrises and sunsets you get living in that luxury apartment on The Edge gives you. These will be even more spectacular, and there is that University of Luna study that is right up your alley.”
“The one where they compare and contrast the communication of the rainforest fauna with that of the systems of the internet connections or internal closed link computing systems?” He asks, showing enthusiasm for the first time since we were handed the itineraries.
“Yeah, I put in a call and through some connections got you a chance to meet with and talk to some of the scientists and technologists working on the study,” I say with a grin.
I know how much he loves that stuff. It’s adorable how his eyes light up when he learns more about these sorts of things and when he talks about them. It’s why he always talks with the houseplants he keeps and has since the first day I met him in college. My best friend is a geek in the most adorable way ever.
“Fred told me that my program indicated half a dozen performers who are so far flying under the radar of other agencies as well as the ones that we will be trying to get before they choose Mammoth Falls Talent or Hollywoof Talent,” Remi says as I finish packing my bag.
Mammoth Falls Talent is an older talent agency out of Mammoth Falls in North Howlwood. Hollywoof Talent is trying to use the name of one of the oldest film industry cities in wolf country, but is a relatively new agency. I grew up in the city of Howling Pines, the capital of wolf country, more properly known as the country of Alupina.
“If you give me the list, I can check them all out. I’ll weed out the best and get them signed to us before the week is through,” I promise.
“You can’t fuck them all, at least not unless you are hiding a secret. Half of them are men,” Remi says with an impish grin.
“Not that I have a problem with fucking men, but I am personally, not attracted to them,” I reply.
Remi rolls his eyes at me.
“I love you, man,” I chuckle. “If you would let loose, you could…”
“No! I don’t do casual hook-ups,” Remington objects, swiftly cutting me off.
“So up tight!” I laugh, shaking my head. “I bet I could make you relax.”
I remember how he would always get before big exams. I would massage his shoulders and upper back before making him close his textbook to the a break and get a bite to eat, then I would rub his feet while we watched a movie. It always had to be something that would take him out of his head, so I avoided sci-fi, though that is his favorite genre.
“Maybe, we can snuggle and watch an in flight movie,” I suggest.
“That’s a great idea, until you take off to join the mile high club once again,” Remi snorts.
“It was just one time and in my defense, we were on spring break,” I retort.
“I’ll just have some wine and close my eyes,”Remi sighs.
“Don’t be like that, we are bros,” I state.
“I know. I just don’t like flying and we have work to do. You know I prefer handling tech over handling people,” Remi states.
“I know that, Remi,” I reply. “You have always preferred plants and computers over people.”
Sometimes, I feel like he prefers them to me, even if I am his best friend and he always has a smile for me. I know Remi feels like his inability to shift makes him weak or broken. Maybe, that is why he is more inclined to to disappear when we have parties at work, just like he did when we were in college.
It’s not that he hates people. Remi has had a few boyfriends. I rarely like them. I even had to kick one out of our suite when I heard the way he spoke down to my best friend. No guy is going to talk to Remi as if he is unworthy of his affections. They should feel lucky that Remi pays any attention to them!
“Now boarding, All first class Passengers aboard flight 2-2-0-9 from Breel to Luna, Happy Carne Fest! Remember all meat must go through customs upon return so what you don’t eat there, will have to be declared!” A cheerful ticketing agent calls out.
“She could just call out the fight number and who is boarding,” Remi grumbles as we approach the gate with our first class tickets in hand.
He is such a curmudgeon whenever we have these trips. He’ll feel better with some sunshine, tropical drinks and a hike through the rain forest.
Remi is a rare mostly vegetarian hybrid werewolf/fae. He eats meat, but only when he gets a craving, which oddly enough, is typically around the full moon. When he does, he will binge and gets what I call “meat drunk” since he seems to get a strange euphoria during that time. When he comes down from it, the smell of meat make him feel sick for a few days. I always think moderation would be good for him, but he says his body always goes in these cycles.
With the full moon in just a few days, maybe he is having a spell of PMS. He might not shift, but he certainly shows signs of pre-moon syndrome, just like most werewolves. I have just learned to keep mine in check over the years,and I take something that takes the edge off.
We find our wide, comfortable seats and I get our luggage settled while Remi settles in next to the window and gets comfortable.
“What a cute couple you are! Is this your first trip to Luna?” A flight attendant asks, with a bright smile.
Her perky breasts show cleavage even with her shirt fully buttoned, and she has exactly the kind of figure admire on a woman, but Remi needs my comfort, so I don’t flirt, or contradict her assumptions.
“Thank you! Yes, it’s our first trip to Luna,” I reply with a broad smile.
“We aren’t a couple,” Remi laughs. “Go ahead and flirt. I know how gorgeous my best friend is and I am sure he finds you appealing as well.”
Damn!
“Remi, you are my best friend and I can tell you need me. I’m gonna stick by you,” I say as I slide into the seat by his side and place my hand on his knee.
He looks down at my hand and I shrug. I know what other people think when I am like this with him, but I also know he needs the physical contact even if he never admits it.