A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps

I quickly tug my hand away from Ashton hoping dad hasn't noticed but I doubt we would be so lucky. I rush over to dad and throw my arms around him in a hug. I don't usually hug him when I visit him at work, but it feels like the right thing to do. Dad hugs me back briefly before dropping his arms to his side, stepping back and placing his hands on my shoulders.

“Hey sweetheart, I didn't expect to see you here today. What do you need?" I don't miss how he only asks me, but at least he doesn't sound too cranky.

"Ashton has some questions that we were hoping SOMEONE here could answer. Have there been any reports that are a bit weird, like ones that haven't been solved and don't make a lot of sense?" I ask awkwardly. There had to be a better way to phrase that question, but dad seems to understand anyway.

"I don't think so. All our reports have been fairly standard." he answers. I frown.

"Well what about the other night? You left so fast the mayor had to give us a ride home. Was there some problem?” I ask. It could be nothing, but anything that could drag dad away when he knows he's leaving me alone all night with some strange fae guy is probably at least a bit of a big deal.

"Well that was a gas main explosion. We aren't sure what caused it but there's nothing odd or magical there. I had to come in because we needed all hands on deck for crowd control." he answers.

"Huh? I haven't seen anything online about an explosion?" I tell him, a little confused. Dad shrugs.novelbin

"That famous musician, what's his name? Oh I don't know, the pop one. Well he had a concert that same night. Somehow any news other than that got pushed to the side." He grumbles, discontent. I can see why, that's kind of really sad. "Have there been any other similar events or explosions?" Ashton suddenly chimes in.

"No, I'd know if there were more explosions." Dad answers bluntly.

"Well there have been a few small fires, but that's not too unexpected in this hot weather. They were all put out easily and no one was hurt." George chimes in. This really catches Ashton's attention.

"Fires? Could you provide us with a list of locations for these fires? For the explosion too. Any information you have about the incidents may be useful.” He asks eagerly. I'm confused for a moment until I remember that he told me one of the assassins has an affinity for fire. I suppose it's possible there's a connection.

Half an hour later, Ashton and I are huddled over George's desk as he shows us all the files. We start with the gas main explosion and I cringe when I see that three people died in that incident. I really hope it was just an accident, because if it was on purpose then whoever this fae is, they are totally out of control. Next he shows us all the reports of small fires. He's right that none of them have been very severe, only minor damage to buildings. Although the locations are unusual. Grocery stores, a charity clothing store, several other residential buildings. They're not exactly the places I would choose for arson, but what do I know? We write a list of all the locations in my phone as well as the times so we know what order they occurred in. After confirming that there really hasn't been any other unusual reports, Ashton and I decide it is time to leave. I make my way back to the elevator but Ashton objects.

"I do not want to go in that small room again. You said there are stairs. I would prefer to take them instead." He requests.

"But.. it's hot, and we're four floors up. You seriously don't want to take the elevator. I promise it really is safe." I try to convince him but Ashton looks slightly sick at the thought of taking the elevator again and shakes his head. "Please... The stairs..." He doesn't seem to know exactly what to say and I sigh.

"Oh alright. I should tell you that there are lots of buildings with elevators, some of them a lot higher than this one. We can get away taking stairs here but there are a lot of places there it would be very unpleasant. I can understand if you don't want to ride the elevator but it really is a very normal thing.” I gesture for him to follow me as I lead him around to a rarely used door that is shoved in a corner. The handle is stiff it is used so rarely. We enter the stairwell and I am blasted with a wave of heat. Awesome, the air conditioning doesn't work properly in here. I've been in this stairwell for two seconds and I already feel sweaty. I sigh again.

"This is going to suck, come on." I start down the stairs.

“If it is truly unpleasant I could carry you down, or you could take the elevator and I will take the stairs." Ashton offers earnestly. Okay now I feel bad.

"Nah it's okay. I'm just whining. It's only a couple flights of stairs, don't worry about it. I'm just spoiled by technology is all. I'll stay with you." I shoot him a smile and Ashton gives me a guilty half smile. Awesome, I complained so much I mad him feel bad for being uncomfortable. Now I feel like an absoloute jerk. I try to cheer us both up.

"I'll look on the bright side, I'm getting my steps in for the day. Exercise is good for me. If I do enough walking today I won't feel bad about skipping the gym.” I reason with forced enthusiasm.

"The gym?" Ashton queries.

"It's a place set up particularly for exercise. It has weights and machines to help with building muscle and fittness stuff.” I explain.

"Oh, that sounds... interesting." He decides. I laugh. Of course he would be interested in the gym, someone who looks like he does didn't get that way sitting around eating pastries. Although I'd love to believe it's straight up genetics that does it, I seriously doubt that's true.

"If we have a free evening or morning sometime, I'll take you to see one." I promise reluctantly. I go to the gym a few times a week, but I'm not particularly dedicated. I do lazy workouts or occasionally attend classes to justify having extra takeout for dinner or for spending my days off lying around in bed reading. I don't hate exercise exactly, there just always seems to be something more interesting to do and I get bored easily.

"I would enjoy that..." Ashton pauses briefly before continuing.

“What kinds of activities would you enjoy. You do not sound especially enthused about the gym. If we are going to spend time together I would prefer if we choose something that we both enjoy.” He states firmly. Awww, he's so sweet. But als why does this suddenly sound less like me showing him around and more like a date. I thought the whole point was for him to get to know this place better, not to get to know me better. He's going to be leaving after the assassins are caught and fae don't exactly hang out here often. It would be stupid for me to get too attached, although I worry that it might already be a little too late for that.

"Uh, I like reading, going to the cinema, that's like watching T.V. but on a giant screen and you can get snacks. I like puzzles and mystery games, dancing obviously. I don't know. I'm a bit of a homebody mostly. I don't go out a lot. I tend to go to work or relax at home. I always want to try new things but I never seem to get around to actually doing it." I admit.

"You should think of something you want to try and we could do it together. It might be fun for us both to be a little lost and confused for once." Ashton jokes and I grin as we finally reach the bottom floor.

"You're right. I'll see if I can think of something.” I promise. Mentally, I create a new mantra. ‘It's not a date.'