when does a tiger like a writing-desk? (current work in progress)
Boodins fell forward, arms grabbing him, toppling into the darkness, scent screaming: Elistary.
Groping, alarmed, expecting to fall down or slam into a wall, dragged headlong, surrounded by- Elistary Elistary Elistary.
Elistary dragging him in an unknown direction. Elistary shoving him into a tiny little room, slapping something on the wall, a rush of acceleration as the tiny room launched upward, and all the while the scent of the Resten noblewoman, the ‘Relf’ he and Rai had been seeking, telling an emotional and personal story- Elistary had been driving the truck, Elistary was excited but not alarmed, Elistary smelled of conviction and exasperation.
The elevator door opened on brightness at the top of the tower. Elistary strode forward without hesitating. Boodins lingered in the elevator, looking for a down button. Nothing, just the one button Elistary had pushed. Boodins hit it a second time, but nothing happened.
“What…” began Boodins.
“Time I straightened you out, boy.” said Elistary.
“No, I meant what are you doing?”
“So glad you asked. I’ll be filling you in as needed on what you’ll have to do- it shouldn’t be too hard. I should have been using a Resten all along, rather than trusting a foreigner, even if they do have their points.” said Elistary. She turned to face Boodins. “The important thing is, you’re working for me now. Got that?”
“Says who?”
“Don’t be a fool.”
“No,” said Boodins, “you need to stop talking that way! I need you to stop talking that way…”
Elistary turned, blinked- she looked honestly startled, as if his words were too unexpected to understand. “Y… Boy, this could be a great moment for you, a stroke of luck. Why do you sound sad?”
“I… I…”
Elistary’s voice rang with the peremptory command of the born aristocrat. “Tell me! We haven’t got all day!”
“I… still want to believe in you.” said Boodins, and could not look her in the eye.
