Poolside Reunion

## Content Information

Burg had said to meet them at the pool, so that’s where Didi was, dipping her legs in the water as she sat on the edge, gazing up at the crescent moon.

It was still thrumming with the pulse of what she’d done, and she could still hear the howl of Arsling’s wolf, could still taste her blood.

Burgundy shouldered the door to the indoor pool to open it as their hands were full. In one hand was a pair of uncharacteristically high heels and the other a box of cookies. They walked across the way to sit by Didi. They set the box of cookies down between them.

“Help yourself! They’re fresh from the ‘Adisa Mothers’, or whatever brand name they’re experimenting with at the moment.” Burg’s tone was filled with fatigue but still had some joy to it.

Burgundy is dressed like a god. Their beard is a bit longer than their normal scruff and neatly trimmed. Their dreads are styled to form a crown adorned with jewels and accessories that Iva bought them. They even have a full face of makeup accompanied by a flowy high slit gown.

“Holy shit, Burg, you look incredible,” said Didi, taking in the unusual attire. She sniffed at the air to get a sense of where her friend had been, then turned to the closed box of cookies. “Oh, there are amaretto biscotti in there aren’t there?”

Didi seemed to be alright, moodwise, though she’d clearly been deep in thought, and her bloodshot eyes betrayed the conflict she’d felt and her weariness.

Burgundy wore the scent of warm spices, baked goods, and most strongly - the ocean. They nodded at the box and opened it up for Didi to get a look and take one if she wanted to.

“Thank you, the water spirits were super pleased and that’s all that mattered,” they said as they took a napkin from the box and dipped it into the pool water. Burg used that to start taking off their lipstick.

“I’m glad,” said Didi, sincerely happy for her friend despite not really understanding, not needing to understand unless Burg wanted to explain. Her smile was a touch wan, and she took a crunchy biscotti from the assortment in the box and gamely started to gnaw on what would ordinarily be a dunking cookie.

Burgundy chuckled darkly at Didi’s reply for two reasons. It reminded them of the awkward first time they explained the spirits and at the fact that it wasn’t a happy occasion to dress up for.

“Um, I’ll explain eventually. How are you doing and do I want to know why you’re at Hellfire in the ungodly hours of the morning?” Burg’s tone was careful but humorous. There is an implication that Burg assumed Didi had a new lover who was a fellow Hellfire but open talk about relationships between the two was a rare occasion.

“The two answers are related,” said Didi, her curiosity piqued by the promise to explain. “I was in a pretty rough place. I still think it had to be done, but it was hard. I betrayed them.” She frowned and looked down, swooshing her legs in the water, back and forth. “The pack had a celebration for me and I left as soon as I could to spend some time alone. I didn’t want to be alone, though. Somehow Selene had figured the whole thing out and found me in the woods.” Didi looked up at Burgundy. “We’ve been getting close, as weird as it might seem. Part of it was how you told me about the way she protects monsters here; that helped me understand her a bit better.”

Burgundy nodded and grabbed a simple chocolate chip cookie from the box. They gave a couple ‘Mhm’s with a closed mouthful after they took a bite. At the mention of Selene there was a mild wash of surprise but it’s quickly subdued at the explanation. Once they finished the cookie they spoke back up.

“Well, I’m glad you have someone else in your corner who gets all of this,” they said with a wave around themselves in reference to their current situation. “Yeah I … still in a way that surprises me, I still care about Arsling. I dropped off a letter explaining in full how I was involved. I didn’t out anything or anyone and you can read a copy if you want to. Aaand I offered to stay out of her life until she said otherwise … so …,” Burgundy awkwardly trailed off with glum eyes as they quickly ate another cookie.

Didi put an arm around him. “You didn’t do anything wrong.” She sighed, wanting to believe it for her own sake, as well. “I know it hurt her… but… you were right; she couldn’t go on drawing people in and killing them. It’s going to take some time, but it’ll be better.” She frowned and looked away. “I’m going to keep watching over her, offering help adjusting. It’s a process, but… she’s not going to lose herself. I know that’s what terrifies her, and it will be different, but--” She shivered, remembering their first confrontation outside the rink. “In any case, she’s not a danger to you anymore. I don’t know if she’ll ever forgive us, but… you might have saved my life, for what that’s worth.”

Burgundy slouches as Didi touches them. “I am making peace with the fact that this may be unforgivable. And I think you should read the letter eventually because I actually did have some opportunities to try to elongate the situation to find a compromise but …,” Burgundy sighed before continuing. “It would’ve never satisfied your pack. I’m glad you feel like this saved you ... I don’t see a future between Arsling and I beyond me having to go out of my way to avoid her for as long as we’re at MHU together. And I’m going to move on. I am one of the lucky few who can sit on the sidelines and support from there and I think I’m going to stay there and just focus on myself for now. I’m going to finally ask out Melissa and I’m planning a charity with Hellfire and working with Selene so … I’ll be okay but it sucks now. And you’ll be okay too.”

Didi’s smile is weak but sincere. “Absolutely, take care of yourself. I didn’t want to burden you with any of this -- I know you offered to help, but -- well, it’s done. You’re safe, I’m intact, if not exactly ‘okay.’” She sighed, thinking of Burg’s talk of stalling and compromising; it didn’t really matter now if it turned out there was some other way. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know. Yesterday, she would have been all ears, but now the thought made her stomach churn.

“Melissa, tell me about Melissa,” she said, seeking safer ground.

Burgundy was relieved to have the topic move to something more hopeful. “Uh she’s tall like …,” Burgundy cleared their throat as they realized they were about to mention the person they just claimed they saw no hope with. But as they continued on a genuine smile formed.

“She and I work together at the campus bookstore and got hired about the same time. I helped her out with training to become a manager. She’s a grad student, English major … uh she’s the person who I crashed with when I first moved out and where I disappeared to on New Year’s Eve.”

“Oh! That Melissa!” Didi gave Burg’s shoulder an enthusiastic squeeze. “I remember you talking about her.” The conversation moved to more casual topics than broken hearts and werewolf hunts, finally able to catch up without the threat posed by Arsling looming over them.

Burgundy chuckled at the squeeze and smiled. “Yeah, between her and working with Selene on mixing protection spells into her music in case of cultists showing up - well besides the cultists - I’m looking forward to a lot.”

Didi smiled along. “That’s great, you deserve to-- wait, did you say cultists?”

Burgundy let out a long sigh before they explained what they knew. As they spoke they gently moved out of Didi’s grasp to peel out of their dress. They then sat back down and waited for any follow up questions.

Didi shut her eyes and took a deep breath, craning her neck to look up and then opening her eyes, gazing at the moon. It was so much to process, and so hot on the heels of the night’s drama.

Swallowing, she turned back to Burgundy. “How can I help?”

“Take care of yourself first, then check in with Selene or Iva. They’re making active efforts to check out the situation. Oh, and be careful using any magic or shifting in public. They seem to be targeting magical occurrences from what I understand,” Burg said with a relatively even tone. They understood the gravity of the situation but also slid into the pool and took a seat on its steps.

“Poor Ash,” said Didi, swishing her legs in the water. “Hunted by monsters for so long, turned right when the monster-hunters show up.” She groaned and lay back on the concrete beside the pool, stretching her arms over her head. “I need a vacation from this year’s spring break.”