Ume dropped the ball in front of Raven’s feet and looked up at him with hopeful eyes.
“I think he just wants to play.”
“He’s shady.”
Raven smiled, then picked up the ball and threw it ahead of them.It went faster, farther, than it ever would have before.It was the kind of throw he’d never ever managed.Umeboshi, valiantly, ran to fetch it.
“Holy mother of cow,” Jason said.“Dude, you’re a fucking vampire!With superstrength.”
“Uh, well…”
“Wow.”Jason patted him on the shoulder.“I’m impressed.Did you know you could do that?”
Raven shook his head.“I…I wouldn’t hurt you.”
Jason smiled at him.“Didn’t I just tell you back at the restaurant with the blood menu?Think about what you would want to do for me.I know you won’t hurt me.I’m not worried that you would, I guess I just want to make sure that…you know.That you’re okay.With staying with Maxim.I don’t have a bad word to say about him except that he just took you home after sending me book shopping, but I might get over that.But, Raven…are you okay there?Or do you want to come back to our place?”
Raven shook his head.The answer was too easy.I don’t understand why.I was happy there.I liked it, being able to learn, being able to…be.But I can’t go back there.
“Okay.”Jason nodded.Ume had found the ball and was bringing it back, moving at a quick walk rather than a full run.“You can call me, Raven.You can text.”
“I’m not sure why I’d do that.”Raven hadn’t meant to say it like that, hadn’t meant to sound like a contrary child who had been told off.He’s trying to help and I…I don’t even know what I’m doing here.Maybe this was a bad idea.I shouldn’t have come.I should’ve stayed inside and had more blood.
But Jason just put his arm back around Raven.There was a strange urge to fight it off and run, and Raven could barely stop himself from following it, could barely rein it in.
“That’s the point.You don’t have to be sure.I’m saying, if you want to just chat.Maybe about that weird dog of yours, or about what superhero name you’re going to pick now.I will brainstorm the shit out of that with you.Oh, the weird dog can be your sidekick.”
“He’s not really that weird.”
Ume picked that moment to make his whining noise and drop the ball right in front of Raven, sitting with expectant elation.
“Does he know that?”
Raven picked up the ball.“He’s a dog.Why would he care what we think?”
He tossed the ball ahead of them, trying for more control, for a clearer aim this time.It didn’t take much strength to cast it far ahead, and when it hit the path, it bounced, almost hitting a branch.
Ume looks excited about that new skill of mine.That’s something, at least.
“You say that, but I think he likes attention.Doesn’t like to admit that he likes attention though.And he enjoys people who do what he wants.Speaking of, if you don’t want to stay with Maxim and if you don’t want to come back to the dorm, we can find something else, rent a place.You’re a good roommate.”
Raven sighed.“You don’t have to do that for me.”
“Yup.But let me know if it sounds good to you.”
He has no right to call the dog weird, not as weird as he is,Raven thought, but he didn’t say it.Jason was the most easygoing person, but every now and then, there were things he just wouldn’t budge on.Raven had the feeling that this was one of those things.
Ume came back and dropped the ball again.
“Maybe your superhero name can be…Superthrow!Threat to birds and bats, but with bat-like reflexes himself.”
Raven picked up the ball.“I don’t think that’s it.”
Jason nodded.“We’ll find you a good one, don’t worry.I’ll come by every day until we have the right name for you.”
Raven was about to tell him that wasn’t necessary, but he didn’t say it.He threw the ball instead.One day after another.Maybe one name after another.It might be good to have him with me when I take Ume out for walks.
“How do you know equestrians?”Raven asked.
