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Stories from the Verse
Con Version
Chapter 137: Brown 331
Table of Contents
Previous chapter: Cooper 44
The next morning rain was bucketing down on New Orleans. Derek and Vashti waited as long as they could for the deluge to abate, but finally surrendered and ran through the downpour as quickly as they could. They still arrived at the restaurant looking like drowned rats. Maurice, who lived just a bit farther from the venue than they did, and Lei, who had to walk to the trolley and got out a block away, were worse off than they were. Pierre arrived by car, but even he did not escape the ravages of the rain.
They assembled in the kitchen first, hoping the heat from the fires would help them dehydrate. They were still quite damp when they began their set a bit behind schedule, but Hannah was just pleased they all made it.
As they retired to their table to eat, Henry came over and told them what was on the menu. Vashti asked, “How are you not soaked?”
“Yeah,” Derek teased, “do you have a cot in the back?”
Henry smiled at the joke, and said, “No, but I do keep a dry suit in a closet back there, so when I arrived I toweled down and changed in the men’s room. My clothes are drying in the kitchen, and I’ll change back into them for the run home when I’m done.”
“Smart move,” Pierre said, and Henry smiled a thank-you.
“Well, I think it’s obvious that we can’t go monster hunting in this,” Derek said. “Unfortunately, I somehow doubt the monsters will be similarly impeded, but we can only do what we can do. Also, I don’t want you guys walking home in the rain. I can’t fix that, but I can shorten it.”
“I borrowed the Rambler,” Pierre said. “I can drive everyone home, but I can’t keep it long.”
“That would be wonderful,” Vashti said. “Thank you so much.” The others agreed with her.
Since Derek and Vashti were both the closest and the most out of the way, Pierre deposited them first. Derek polished and oiled his trumpet, mostly for something to do while he worried about the vampires. Vashti kept him company sitting across from him polishing all her neys with her scarf. They spent longer on this than was necessary, but still had an empty afternoon to fill.
After they sat for a few minutes, Vashti said she had thought of something they could do that hopefully would take their minds off the monsters, and she led him to the bedroom.
As to the old stories that have long been here:
