Andrea: So you’ll never guess what I heard at work.
Lacey: What?
Andrea: Christmas music. One fucking day after Hallowe’en. Can you believe it?
Lacey: No way!
Andrea: I wouldn’t have even noticed it if this guy hadn’t been whistling to it when he came in.
Lacey: Like he …
Andrea: … liked it or something. Exactly! I mean, who likes Christmas music the day after Hallowe’en? Like, we haven’t even got all the decorations down. But at least the guy was hot.
Lacey:Pfft. Too bad.
Andrea: What do you mean “too bad”? (shrugs) I flirted with him a bit.
Lacey: No!
Andrea: Yep. And I asked him out. We’re getting together next week.
Lacey: Seriously? What are you gonna do if …
Andrea: If he starts whistling Christmas music again? What do you think? Dump his ass!
I had the distinct pleasure of collaborating with fantasy romance author D. Lieber on a special project in which our main characters met and had a chat!
A little about D.:
D. writes stories she wants to read. Her love of the worlds of fiction led her to earn a Bachelor’s in English from Wright State University.
When she isn’t reading or writing, she’s probably hiking, crafting, watching anime, Korean television, Bollywood, or old movies. She may also be getting her geek on while planning her next steampunk cosplay with friends.
She lives in Wisconsin with her husband (John), retired guide dog (Samwise), and cat (Yin).
Her book, The Exiled Otherkin, is set to be released on November 2nd.
Our scene between Ember, the protagonist of The Exiled Otherkin, and Stephen, the main character of The Magician’s Curse, takes place quite by accident. Enjoy!
Stephen and Ember Meet
SETTING: In the catacombs of Rome, a Fae refugee marketplace thrives. Ember has just purchased a replacement boot dagger. As she is leaving the stall, she almost collides with Stephen.
EMBER: (pulls her hat lower) Excuse me.
STEPHEN: My fault entirely. I’m a bit lost.
EMBER: (peeking up at him) It’s my first time here as well, so I doubt I will be of any help.
STEPHEN: If you don’t mind my saying so, you don’t (clears throat) look quite as out of place here as I feel.
EMBER: Is he human? (squinting slightly) How did you get here?
STEPHEN: (smiles) I’m actually not quite sure. I’m looking for a set of knives. I mentioned it to someone in a bar, and the next thing I knew I was climbing down a ladder. The gentleman disappeared after that.
EMBER: (excited over her new purchase) I just bought an excellent dagger from that stall (points). Do you want to see it?
STEPHEN: (nods) How kind of you.
EMBER: (pulls her dagger from her boot sheath) Check it out. You see these two jewels? If you slide this one (slides jewel), and then press this one … (points dagger at a wooden sign above a tavern, then presses the second jewel. The dagger blade shoots out of the hilt and into the sign. Grins at Stephen.)
STEPHEN: (laughs) That’s a little more dangerous than I have a need for. I’m looking for something I can juggle, not kill my audience with. I’m a magician on stage. (looks up at the blade in the sign) Would you like me to get that for you?
Madigan:(looking down at a picture on her lap) I don’t believe it.
Ken: There’s your proof.
Madigan: Barb has been having an affair with your brother all this time?
Ken: She’s your sister.
Madigan:(snorts) She’s your wife. I feel like I’m living in a soap opera. Where are they now?
Ken: On a beach in Barbados, according to the private detective. (points at the photo) I recognize the resort. We went there for our honeymoon.
Madigan: (shakes head and looks up at him) So what are you going to do about it?
Ken: Ask her for a divorce. And marry you, if you’ll have me.
Madigan: What about the lipstick on your collar?
Ken: That was just Barb trying to make you jealous. She already knew about our affair.
Madigan: (sighs) I should have guessed. (looks at him sharply) Wait, was that a proposal?
Ken: I don’t have a ring or anything, but … yeah.
Madigan:(blinks away tears) I want to say yes. But what are family gatherings going to be like?
Ken: (huffs out a laugh) About as awkward as they have been since we started seeing each other behind Barb’s back. God knows how long she’s been screwing my brother.
Madigan: (takes his hand) I wonder if they’re as happy as we are when we’re together.
Ken: I hope not. So, what do you say? Will you consider marrying me?
Madigan: (frowns) My dad’s going to get sick of walking us down the aisle to meet you.
Saturday, October 28th, 8:00pm
Sally (and Passenger One and Passenger Two)
Sally sits at the window. Passengers One and Two take the seats in front of her.
Passenger One: (to Passenger Two) Which brings me to my next question: what are you going for Halloween as this year?
Passenger Two: I told you, I’m going as a sandwich. But I’d like to return to your first question …
Passenger One: What kind?
Passenger Two: What kind of what?
Passenger One: What kind of sandwich are you going as?
Passenger Two: (frowns) It doesn’t matter what kind of sandwich I’m going to go as, I want you to clarify what you meant by your first question.
Passenger One: I wouldn’t go as a peanut butter sandwich if I were you. You’ll have all the dogs in the neighbourhood chasing you.
Passenger Two: (turns and looks Passenger One directly in the eye) Your first question? What did you mean? Don’t make me … (closes eyes and exhales heavily) Okay. I’m not going to get angry …
Passenger One: Baloney.
Passenger Two: (yelling) I’m not! I’m not going to get angry!
Passenger One: Calm down. I meant you can go as a baloney sandwich.
Passenger Two: (still yelling) I’ll sandwich you in a minute!
Sally: (leans forward) If I may …
Passenger Two: (turns to her and yells) What do you want, witch?
Sally: (aghast) I was just going to suggest your friend answer your question. But if you don’t want my help …
Passenger Two: (calmly) Well, thank you. (turns to Passenger One) You see? Even strangers want to know what you meant by your first question.
Sally: Actually, I just want to know what the first question was.
Passenger Two: (to Sally, yelling again) Mind your own business, witch!
Passenger One: (to Passenger Two) Are you quite finished yet?
Passenger Two: (voice raised, anxious) It depends: what do you mean?
Sally: Ahhh …
Passenger Two: (turns) What are you “ahhh”ing about?
Sally: I assume that was the first question you’re referring to.
Passenger One: (turns to Sally) Yes, I’m thinking a Marmite sandwich might be best, too.