Day 11: Lycanthropy

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Universe:  QuickSilver
Rating: G / TW: None
 

    When your precious adopted older brother (the one who has a hard time turning his many acquaintances into actual friends despite all his excellent qualities) suddenly confesses to you that he thinks he may have actually made a Best Friend (outside of you, of course) there are several reactions you can choose from: surprise, joy, curiosity, or apathy, just to name a few.

     But when Goose found herself in this situation, she chose Science.

     Specifically, she chose Science while sitting at the kitchen table with the Best Friend Applicant (because there was no way he was getting the job without her approval first) while Chip (the above-mentioned big brother) made them both lunch (sandwiches).  

     In her mind, Goose rattled over the facts that she knew. The Best Friend Applicant was named William Mah-koot-son (or something like that, she had not quite yet learned how to pronounce his last name.) He was 22, freak’n tall, dressed nice, came from London, and had the funny accent to prove it. So far in their fifteen minutes of knowing one another, he had proved to be at least somewhat charming - he had a nice smile and pulled her seat out for her at the table - but she would not be so easily won over.  

     Goose kicked her feet slowly under the table and watched William make tea. Somewhere in the back of her mind, where tea making was actually quite important to her, she felt a nod of approval surface. When he sat the mug (her favorite mug, Chip must have told him!) in front of her, she remained professional and cool. “Thank you.”

     “You’re welcome,” William replied, sitting down across from her with his own mug. Goose took hers in her hands, letting the drink warm her palms as she kept studying him.

     William, despite having a knack for getting himself out of awkward situations, still felt the pressure of Goose’s intense stare. He cleared his throat and attempted to start a conversation. “Chip told me you live in the forest.”

     “I do, it’s really nice,” she said. “Chip said you’re living on his couch.”

     While that really was the perfect burn, it was not actually Goose’s intention. Embarrassed, she tried to hide behind her mug of tea while William looked at her over the rim of his own. “I do,” he confirmed with a playful smile. “It is an excellent couch, but I’m sad to say Chip doesn’t have the sense to charge me rent for it.”

     Chip turned to look over his shoulder. “You’re helping me out with shows, an extra pair of hands covers your expenses just fine.”

     William shrugged and took another sip. “Perhaps if I toss a few quid towards the budget, you’ll let me choose what movie we’ll watch next?”

     Goose smirked and set her mug down. Chip’s truest love in the world was Godzilla, so if he was sharing that with William he must really like his company. “Chip’s taking you through his collection, isn’t he?”

     William nodded. “Last night’s feature was Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah.”

     “A classic!” Chip exclaimed from the counter. “Okay, okay, you got me. Helping with shows AND watching Godzilla films covers your expenses just fine.”

     William leaned back in his chair. “I’ve stayed at much worse venues for a much higher price.”

     Goose took in more details. So this William guy had a good sense of humor and was at least able to tolerate Chip’s adoration of Godzilla. These were all good signs, but… the true question remained. Was he cool? Goose pushed her glasses up her nose and looked William up and down. "Hey, can I see your scar?"

     "Scar?" the British lad questioned back with an air of surprise.

     "Yeah, from where you were bit," she replied. "Chip also said you're a werewolf."

     "I said he was a wolf shifter," Chip corrected, bringing plates of sandwiches to the table for his guests.

     Goose raised her eyebrows. "There's a difference?"

     William nodded his head. "Most definitely."

     "Ooooh..." Goose rocked back on her chair then leaned one cheek against her palm, watching William with curious eyes.

     William looked back at her, not sure what to say. The silence hung between them, only abated by Chip's humming as he sat down at the table with them. William casually picked up his lunch, nibbling a piece of turkey escaping from the side. "So, then..."

     Goose was already three bites into hers, and between chews of apple slices with peanut butter she asked, "Aren't you going to tell me?"

     William, who acted on slightly better manners, finished his bite before replying. "About what?"

     "The differences!" Goose tossed her arms up in the air, one hand still grasping her PB&A. "I want to know all about wolf things!"

     “I as well!” William laughed. “Truth be told, I myself only found out a few months ago. I’m still fairly new at it.”

     “We need to find you a copy of that one guy’s book,” Chip said. “The one who wrote a guide to being Keen back in the sixties.”

     “You know, he wrote a bunch of other books, too,” Goose said, licking peanut butter from her finger. “Super hard to find them, though.”

     “Why’s that?” asked William.

     “Something about people not liking how he talked about magic.”

     Chip nodded. “Yeah. If there’s one thing us keen folk are gonna argue about until the end of time, it’s about how magic works.”

     “Hmmm…” William took another thoughtful bite. “Goose, if you really are interested, after lunch I could show you how I shift.”

     Goose’s eyes widened almost comically (which was only exaggerated more by her glasses). “Really?!”

     “Yes, really.”