"You a drinking man, Mike?" Jody gave him a look that made Mike feel small and naked. A modicum of human warmth had worked its way into her eyes but it only made Mike vary. Hunger still lay behind it. Badly, or barely, masked. Mike fought the urge to turn around and make sure the door hadn't evaporated behind him.
"Actually, never mind". Jody opened an oddly shaped brown beer bottle named Gustav's Finger and poured half the contents in a long glass for Mike. "I don't trust people who don't drink with me".
She handed him the glass and kept the bottle for herself. Mike took the glass. Even through the padded, flame-retarded glove he could feel the chill at the bottom of it. He was parched. The room was hot, scorching, and he really, really wanted to chug that beer. Just empty the honey colored liquid down his gullet without even tasting it. But, somehow, he managed to stomp his basic instincts and compose himself. He couldn't drink with the helmet on, anyway.
Jody toasted him with the bottle and a somewhat ironic smile that bared teeth sharp enough to be fangs.
"Nervous?"
Mike eyed Jody's shadow as it rose and spread its wings behind her.
"Cautious", he replied and pushed a button on the chest of his space suit. Air hissed as it escaped into the warm room. More of cave, really, thought Mike and drained half of the beer. He slammed his suitcase on the table between them.
"So, Jody", Mike opened the briefcase and pulled out three glossy pamphlets. "Are you thinking of going for the whole kingdom, the princess and all of the gold or are you just looking for a snack-sized Knight to spare with?"
Mike didn't much like doing business with dragons but he supposed it was just one of those things. He didn't like paying rent either but he very much enjoyed his beach house. It all connected somehow.
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