Morgans head snapped up when she picked up the familiar scent. Looking towards the shop, Michael and Llew were approaching. Llew? Lugh? Seriously? What the fuck was that lucifer, of all things, doing here? Staring narrow eyed at them, Morgan could not help but notice the similarities. Same height, build, same damned jawline and nose... How had she missed that before? As they walked side by side, they matched stride. They even moved alike. The same relaxed predatory saunter.
Morgan was not pleased.
Llew laughed at the look on Morgans face. Michael was somewhat bemused, it was clear these two had history. What sort remained to be seen. The look on Morgans face set Michaels hackles up. He stepped away from Llew, not wanting to be caught in the violence that he sensed brewing between Morgan and Llew.
“Nemain Mo Croi!” Llew/Lugh greeted Morgan. She snarled in reply. Llew paused, performed a theatric bow, and impishly grinned at her. Morgan glanced from Michael to Llew, processing. Michael watched the interplay between, wondering if Morgan was going to strike. It looked as if She was trying to decide that herself.
Standing close to the car, Llew could sense the regalia. The sword cackled a greeting in Llews mind. Michael, sensing the interplay looked at Llew in concern. ” How do you...”
Llew shrugged, ” We are old companions.” An explanation that raised more questions. The Spear and the Sword moaned audibly. ” Keep yer distance! Your time as champion is passed! Tis our purpose now!” Llew quirked an eyebrow, “Our? Your sisters? Or..” He gestured at Michael. ” The pup?” Morgan moved to be at Michaels side between Llew and the regalia. ” Aye, we were chosen, we are bound.” Llew studied Michael anew. This was interesting. Whether it were better news than the Morrigna being in sole possession remained to be seen. All things considered that had been a part of his scheme, only, in a bit different order of events. ” Why are you here then?” Morgan snapped at him. Llew shook his head, ” You know why. I felt them wake. Why are they awake?”
Morgan studied Llew in silence. When the pump dinged, signaling the tank was filled, she snatched the nozzel out. A few moments passed as she contemplated dousing Llew down and setting him on fire. The thought brought a smile to her face as she visualized him doing an imitation of a torch. Running in circles, on fire, screaming. Michael picking up on the thought, gently pried the gas nozzle from Morgans hands. ” Not here darlin, not the now...” He murmured softly to her. Morgan sighed loud and long.
" Does Macha and Badb know?” She asked Llew. “Aye, I told them I was coming” Llew acknowledged. “They haven’t mentioned it to me then.” Morgan snapped. Gritting her teeth, ” Och!!! Come on then, get in” she gestured to the back seat. ” I have a few things...” Llew stated, pointing to his rented car. ” Fine then, we do not have all the day!” Morgan slammed the door, started up her car, chirpping the tires as she pulled away from the pump leaving Michael and Llew standing. They shrugged and hurried to follow her. Llew retrieved his things. Michael helped place them in the trunk. Llew eyed the regalia cases in the trunk, Michael quickly closed it, and gestured for Llew to get in the back seat. Morgan was seriously agitated. Fingers tapping harshly on the steering wheel. Her hard nails leaving marks on the grip. Michael settled into the passenger seat and Morgan punched it, lighting up the tires, doing a quick burn out as they pulled away.
" Waffles” Michael reminded her. She glared at him. Then manuevered into the Waffle house parking lot. Parked, leapt out and stalked into the restaurant. Michael slowly got out watching her. As Llew climbed out Michael asked ” Is she going to kill you? Or is this merely hatred?” Llew eyed Michael a moment before answering. ” With an exwife one cannot be sure now can we?” Then proceeding into the Restaurant. Michael paused, watching, processing. Well, that did explain some of the attitude. With a sigh he followed. Determined to focuss on waffles and keep things on a peaceful level at least until they were back at the cabin. things looked to be tense and not getting less so once all were together. More complications.
" Waffles, Porkchop, T-bone, bacon, hashbrowns, three eggs over easy... And extra sausage links, Coffee and Chocolate milk” Michael ordered. Llew and Morgan looked at him in consternation. ” What? I have been craving for days now! I am going to need my strength it looks!” Morgan ordered the same to Michaels amusement. Llew sipped coffee and considered pie. Outside of eating, the silence between them was deafening. Michael chowed down, studying the two of them. Morgan looking everywhere except at Llew, with Llew studying Morgan. It was almost comical. It would have been comical had Michael not been in the middle of it all.
Llew studied Michael and The link between the two of them. och!!! The bloody woman never could keep her self straight! The link between the two of them was palpable. Llew noted the reflected aural flames that mirrored betwixt them. That was new and different. Such a connection took centuries to develop. So, where had she been keeping this secret hidden? How had she kept it hidden? Questions within questions. Hmm, was this the reason She had left him? Just as the thought shaped itself, Morgan exclaimed ” No. You were the reason.” Llew licked his lips and contemplated her. How did she always manage to do that? ” You are predictable and simple” She answered the unvoiced question. Michael caught the interplay ” I do nae wannae hear it!” She snapped at him before Michael could speak up. ” Hey! I didn’t... ” ” So don’t then!” She snapped. Michael narrowed his eyes at her. Pissed was definitely the sensation. Morgan ignored it, making Michael more annoyed. Llew watched, amused. They were obviously a couple. He almost pitied Michael. The Sword and spear cackled in pleasure. Chaos and discord brought such exquisite pleasures.
A fine mist turned to rain, faded into sleet and ice. Perfectly fitting Morgans state of mind. Icy fury. More than five centuries was not enough time. Some wounds never mend. Some grudges are earned. Some bills can never be paid. Having all three in person in her back seat was not exactly the first, or last choice Morgan would have made. Yet.... Damn him! She had never been able to deny him. And, what the ever loving fuck! How? How had she not seen the resemblance? Was that what had called her to Michael? If so, why then had she dropped him to die? What the ever loving fuck! Morgan could already hear Badb laughing. That was not helpful either. And, that damned spears enticing whispers of blood and mayhem was not helping either. Fuck, a three ring circus complete with sideshows... ” Step right up! The most fucked up soap opera nonsense on earth! Get your tickets here! Line forms to the right, no refunds, no exchanges, cash only, one night only... Fuck! The circus is in town. Which ring was she stuck in?
Michael chewed things over. Twisted them, ran scenarios, simulations, mind racing, trust indicator going quite mad.
Morgan gritted her teeth and pretended to ignore both Michael and Llew in order to focus on driving. In reality she was surreptitiously studying the two of them alternating between side eyed glance and quick peeks in the rear view mirror. Michael looked confused, as if he wanted to be angry or bemused and couldn’t choose between the feelings. Llew, lounged in the middle of the spacious back seat smirking. Morgan wanted to smack that smirk off of his beautiful face. No, she wanted to peel his face off and salt the wounds. At least Llew had come without his enterouge of horny floozies. Still, why was he here now? He never did anything without multiple dimensions of intention.
That thought set Morgans teeth to grinding. Llews infidelity was impossible to forgive because of Llews deliberate nature. It had been planned, conceived, and carried out in deliberate purpose. A Preplanned betrayal which made it all the more insulting and demeaning.
Stewing in her juices Morgan gripped the steering wheel until her knuckles were white. The car cruised along in silence, the air vibrating from the tension and built up energy.
" brappppppppphhhhhedpppp braphbbbttt!!!”
The exceedingly long and loud fart shattered the silence. Llew laughed. Michael flailed about
" Oh Gods thats horrible!!! I can taste it in the air!” Gasping, desperately trying to roll down the window. Morgan had already opened her window and stuck her head out to breathe the unpolluted air. A series of rapid fire machine gun farts rang forth. Llew waved his hand in the flavor thickened miasma laughing. ” Ochh thaes better!”
Michael concentrated on not vomiting. Something seriously evil was brewing inside of Llew. ” Do thae again and I will throw you off the next over pass into traffic.” Morgan sniped at Llew. “dude, clench your ass tighter!!!” Michael moaned. Llew laughed louder. Michael was certain that plastic and vinyl panels of the car interior and dash were melting. That, or his eyes were watering, both were likely true.
“Ya will be paying to have my car detailed now won’t you?”
Morgan caught Llews eyes in the mirror. Now that was odd, one of his eyes was a merry sky blue, the other, emerald green. Llew grinned at her. Morgan glared at Llew via the mirror. ” Oh gods its coating my tongue!” Michael wailed.
Morgan snorted, then broke out in laughter, Llew joined in laughing uproariously. Michael, just wanted the stench to end.
They rode, with the windows down, through the cold darkness. Michael slipped a Savatage cd into the player.
The opening riff to ” Handful of Rain” cranked out. They slipped through the night , Llew gazed out the windows at the mountains, Morgan stared straight ahead, Michael, openly studying the two of them.