Marcus groaned. “That was a long time ago.”
“No shit, and I had to try surviving a wholeyearwithout you,” Alistair said. “Do you have any idea how shitty the college’s drama department is compared to the one at the high school? Theater used to befun, but not with oh-so-high-and-mighty Professor Glass, who I prefer to callProfessor Ass. You know who she cast me as? Achild!I tried out for the role of the handsome prince, and I gotoneline asthe child. What a load of bullshit.”
“Man, that’s rough,” Marcus said.
“Rough?” Alistair repeated. “Who is this guy? You sound so chill. You’ve changed.”
“Changed how?” Marcus asked.
Alistair chuckled. “Well, you always used to have a stick up your ass in theater club. You used to freak out about everything.”
“Believe me, that hasn’t changed,” I cracked.
“Ido nothave a stick up my ass!” Marcus cried. “Could we perhaps get back to the task at hand? Alistair, you know how to perform a locator spell?”
“I know a lot more than that,” he said proudly. “You remember how Vincent Rhodes always picked on me in high school? I bet he couldn’t tell his left ass cheek from his right, considering it didn’t matter how many times I told him I’m not amidget, I’m adwarf. Still insisted on calling me names. Well, I tell ya, the second I got my powers, I learned defensive magic and shield magic, so I could finally stick up for myself against that asshole.”
“As a freshman?” Marcus squeaked. “That’s pretty advanced magic.”
“You saying I can’t perform advanced magic?” Alistair demanded.
“No, it’s just I-I,” Marcus stammered.
“I didn’t spend my childhood in and out of the hospital just to be bullied by assholes like Vincent Rhodes,” Alistair said. “One battle orb to the face, and he finally left me alone.”
Marcus laughed. “Good for you. I once saw Charlie toss a bully into the lake in the prison yard. Made me think of you a little.”
“Respect, my man,” Alistair said.
A long pause ensued. I nervously filled it with, “Yeah. Good for me, I guess.”
“What? I don’t get a high-five?” Alistair asked.
Oh, sothat’swhat the awkward silence was about. He was waiting for a high-five.
“I, uh... didn’t notice,” I said.
“Charlie’s blind, like you,” Marcus told him. “Well, notexactlylike you. He can’t see any shapes and colors like you can, and he uses his magic to get around instead of a cane.”
“Damn!” Alistair practically sang. “You must be pretty powerful. What kind of magic do ya got?”
I shifted uncomfortably. Alistair was a lot to take in all at once, but I guess if Marcus was friends with him, I could trust him… to a point. “I’m an Elementai. I’m a dual caster— Air and Earth magic. It’s not special, really. It’s like your cane— just a tool.”
“It’s still pretty cool,” Alistair said. “All I’ve got is this cane and a guide cat.”
“I’ve got a Familiar. Oberi helps me around,” I offered, finally feeling less awkward. Perhaps Alistair and I could get along.
Though it’s not like I needed another friend to let down, so it was probably best if I kept my distance.
“Ah, that’s your dog over there?” Alistair asked. “I was wondering what kind of psycho would bring adogin here. This is cat territory.”
“If you ask me, you cat people are the psychos,” I deadpanned.
Alistair laughed so loudly that his cat jumped and stumbled into my leg. “I like that you tell it like it is, Charlie. I think we’ll get along.”
“If you can help us with this locator spell, you can be my best friend,” I told him.
He snorted. “Friends? Who needs ‘em? But allies, I’ll take.”
