Upgrades, People, Upgrades

Arthur and Cheryl waited at the entrance to Eladrin’s. The valet had just finished explaining to them that they wouldn’t be hailing a cab back to Cheryl’s apartment after all and that they had been upgraded to a premium package which included a limousine. A small relief to Arthur, who had found the backseat of the taxi a tad small when accompanying a girl with a six meter long tail.

As a second valet pulled the stretched limousine around it was also explained to him that the manager would like to speak to him in her office. Cheryl piled into the heated interior as quickly as the valet was able to open the door to escape from the cool night air.

“Go talk to her and hurry back darling. I’ll wait here in the limo!” She giggled as she uncoiled herself over all the seats, pulling a drink from the small car bar. He sighed. After the action under the table he wasn’t even sure he would make it back to her apartment, but he would just have to make it quick. “Okay, I’ll be right back, have fun in there. He turned to follow the waiter, who led him back through the crowded restaurant and through a narrow hall that seemed to be made of living wood, to a small green door that he was sure he’d have to hunch to get through.

When the door opened he was greeted by the scents of strawberry and summer. His face slackened for a moment until he shook his head, to clear away the sudden desire to fall asleep under a oak bough near a slow creek. The scent was undercut with something that evoked hot nights of wild passion, rising bonfire sparks and the stars through branches.