We store our luggage in the rack behind the sofas and take a seat. It’s just a few minutes before everyone’s loaded up and the train departs the station.
Amadala arranges glasses on the tip of her nose, waving at the chunky wood table between the sofas. A tiny vase with a rose in it is the table’s only decoration. “Okay, so there’s a flag there”—she points to a tiny black flag folded against the table’s front— “And there’s a menu tucked beneath the table, according to the brochures. Stick the flag up, Shadow, because I want a drink.”
Reaching beneath the table, I withdraw a menu and hand it to Naima. Amadala and Kingston have one, as well. Then I lean over and toss my long black hair over my shoulder while I find the flag, flicking it upright.
The pixie attendant immediately shows up, hands clasped as she looks expectantly at our group.
“How about a Blue Jean,” I say with a smile, laying the menu down.
The attendant takes our order then disappears from view. Mabel begins to roll forward, the car swinging softly from side to side as we leave the portal station behind.
We chatter amongst ourselves while we wait for the drinks. I’m just glad to be out of the city and away from work for afew days. My green magic is tired, and while the pocket garden network I’m responsible for is looking amazing as we head into the fall season, I could use a break. Growing plants is hard work, especially with New York’s unpredictable fall weather patterns.
The drinks come quickly, and the train herself has such a cute personality, flipping the windows open to give us a little breeze when Naima mentions that she’s hot. This much-needed girls’ weekend is going to be the absolute best, I just know it.
Although I really do wish Lemon was here…
Shadow
“Where did you even get that dress?” Naima fingers the multi-layered frills of the purple dress’ tight bodice.
I spin in place, waggling my dark brows. “Got it from that thrift store you love in the Upper East Side. Isn’t it fab?”
She looks impressed. “Almost seems like you’re meant for the wild west, little lady.”
I laugh. “Let’s not go that far. I love Rainbow pizza and there’s no way I could move somewhere without a metro system. Imagine never going to a museum again.”
Naima sighs. “I didn’t grow up in the city, so honestly that sounds sorta nice to me? I mean…imagine just waking up every day and it’s beautiful and rustic and you’ve got the whole small town charm thing going on?”
Kingston emerges from the bathroom with her dark blue hair piled on top of her head. “Not to mention they make the men big out here, if you know what I mean.”
“That’s such a cliché,” Amadala says, rolling her eyes. “There are big men everywhere.”
I swat her knee. “Let us have some ridiculous fun. If we think the dudes are gonna be huge here, what’s the harm in it?”
She pulls her long braids up into a claw clip. “Just sayin’.”
Kingston and I exchange a look. Amadala just got out of a terrible one-sided relationship with a real a-hole. He was a pretty big dude, and I’m almost certain she’s thinking of him right now. Which is part of how we convinced her we should get out of town this weekend.
Naima glances out the window of the room she and I are sharing. It faces downtown Pine Gulch’s main street. “Looks like quite the party down there. Should we head down?”
“It’s gonna be a late night, ladies,” Amadala cautions, rising as she tucks her copy of the itinerary into a purse shaped like a seashell. “Make sure you wear comfy shoes.”
As if she needs to tell four monstresses from New York City about comfy shoes. I laugh and open my small bag to reveal foldable slip ons that I can easily change into later. They’re closed toed but squishy—perfect for a late night walk home or maybe a walk of shame tomorrow. We’ll see how the night goes.
Amadala grins at me as Naima crosses the room and opens the door, waving us through.
When we leave the Welcome Inn, Main Street is filled to the brim with monsters of all species, just as Naima said. Lights are strung over the street, lending a very barn dance feel to the whole thing, not that I’ve ever been inside a barn. Each business has its doors flung open wide, displays in front of each one spilling onto the sidewalk. I take note of the businesses closest to us.
Brewhaha Beans. Whiskey Business Bar & Saloon. Betty’s Burgers. The Welcome Inn. Buxom Bodice Outfitter. Not a thrift store or deli to be seen, but it’s a welcome change, even so. Stars twinkle in the sky above, and the air is brisk. And according to Amadala’s write up, there’s a giant garden hiding somewhere around here too. I’ve definitely got to see that for inspiration.
Music bounces off the buildings from a band playing off somewhere to the right. Dozens of couples line dance in the street.
“Let’s hit up the welcome tent,” Amadala shouts over the din. “Supposedly there’s a scavenger hunt and an overview.”
I nod and she turns, picking her way through the crowd to a big black tent with a white sign that saysStart Here.
Inside the tent stands a handsome dark elf wearing a tan uniform. His nametag readsFuryon A. Zayle, Head of Fish & Wildlife.Next to him stands a huge minotaur female with her arms crossed. She scowls as we enter the tent, but the dark elf flashes us a sexy, toothy grin, lifting his cowboy hat off his horns and setting it on the table in front of him.
