As we reach his destination, I notice the temperature getting a little cooler.
“Why is it so cold? I would think for a nursery, you would want it warm for the babies. But then I don’t know much about Gargoyles,” Rez sheepishly asks, while rubbing her arms, getting blood to flow back into them.
“We normally would, but as I said before, no man-made weapon can harm us. That doesn’t mean we can’t be hurt by something else,” Blessing says cryptically, leading us into a massive room.
The immense circular room is so big I can’t see the back of it, but that could also be because of a huge pillar standing smack dab in the middle of the room, leading up to an opening where the moonlight filters through. From here, it looks like there’ssnow at the top, clinging for its life.That’s why it’s cooler in here. We’re deep in the mountains where it’s snowing!
Fireplaces full of firewood line the bottom of the column, facing out to the Whispering Death Vines.Wait…what?
“Are those alive?” JP whispers in horror.
“No, those have been dead for centuries. But they are natural bassinets for the eggs,” Blessing announces, looking like a proud father.
“Do those fireplaces work?” I ask, wondering why they aren’t on, giving off the heat or more light that the room desperately needs in here.
“Let me guess, heat makes your balls shrink,” Lynx groans. “That has to be the reason it’s chilly in here, so Bert and Ernie won’t want to take a hike.”
“Bert and Ernie? Who are they? Did I miss an introduction when I passed out in the past or something?” I ask, looking around my friends for someone to give me answers. Chester gives me a look of horror, and I blanche.
“What?”
“Moni, Bert and Ernie—” Chester starts.
“Are my balls. My nuts. My berries,” Lynx intercedes. “Jollyranchers, family jewels, ballocks, sack of joy, dangly bits, the twins, the bunny bags.”
“Bunny bags?” I perk up. “Oh, I have those!” I reach into my S.I.N. box and pull out the little bags I always carry, just in case. “See.” I hold up the colorful bags proudly and watch everyone’s face try—and fail—to hide their reaction.
“Moni, are those your bunny bags?” Rez snickers.
I double-check to make sure I pulled the right item. “Yep, aren’t they cute? Just big enough to hold baby bunnies and carry them around.” I hold it over each of my shoulders to demonstrate, and Chester goes pale as he tries to stop me.
“No, Moni. Baby, stop. Just stop.”
“What’s wrong?” I demand with a stomp of my foot, and even the stoic Blessing finally bursts out into a deep laugh.
“She’s adorable,” he rumbles. “Even with them being colored, I can even tell those are jock straps!” he hollers before clutching his sides as his laughter takes over. His chuffing sound would be funny if he weren’t laughing at my bedazzled bunny bags.
“You mean these aren’t bunny bags?” I hold up my bags and my family snickers, but it’s JP who comes up to me first.
“Sis, I think whoever came up with jockstraps got it wrong. I think they would work better as bunny bags.” He hugs me.
Clearing his throat and wiping loose gravel from his eyes, Blessing composes himself.
“I am sorry for hurting your feelings. That was not my intention. It has been a few centuries since someone has made me laugh that heartily, so thank you for that pleasure.” He bows to me, and I know I’m sporting a pastel yellow to show how proud I am.
“You are most welcome,” I say, shoving my bags away since Bert and Ernie don’t need them now.
“Can we get back on the subject of what’s the threat here?” Knots asks through gritted teeth.
Someone obviously doesn’t like us messing around right now.
“Yes, sorry. I forgot Angels don’t have a sense of humor,” Blessing throws shade before pointing up the column to where on one side I can see through to stars, and to the other side, I see the snow from before.
“Why is one side see-through to the sky and the other is white?” Chester asks. “Am I that blind?” he asks, pushing up his glasses.
“No, you are seeing correctly,” Blessing admits. “The white isn’t our cave ceiling. That’s webbing covering our flight door.”
“Um. You mean that’s not snow?” I sputter.
