Cole ran his hand along Prometheus’s spine, feeling the ridges and contours of the Charizard’s back. He winked down at Joanie, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Well hey there. Nope, I haven’t got an apocalypse scheduled ‘til next Thursday. If you want to catch up, I’m sure I can find time to pencil you in.”
Joanie grinned.
The Firebrand took another sip of tea. The other Journeymen stared at him expectantly as he savored the brew, of surprisingly good quality for a city coffeehouse. He blinked back at them. “What’s going on?” he asked out of the corner of his mouth.
“They probably think you should say something,” Prometheus rumbled back. “You are the host after all.”
Cole chuckled. “So I am, so I am.” He set down his cardboard cup and cleared his throat. “Well. I’m glad you all made it out here; I know it’s a very long trip for some of you. There were no difficulties traveling, I trust?” He allowed his smile to grow a little wider. “Well, anyway. The city is your oyster for the day. Shop, eat, explore, but do try to stay out of trouble. If you’re looking for a place to eat, I know of a lovely bistro down by Unity Pier. I’ll be heading that way around one o’clock this afternoon, if anyone would like to meet me. Until then, Joan and I are going for a stroll around the city.”
He picked up his cup and tossed it into a nearby trash bin. Athena bounded onto his shoulder. Cole offered Joan his arm, and the lady knight slipped her hand into his. The Firebrand touched two fingers to his brow and winked. “Until tonight, au revoir.” He and Joan strode off into the crowd, quickly vanishing amongst the throngs entering and exiting the park.
Prometheus inclined his head to the other Journeymen, looking as apologetic as a dragon could. “He gets rather flighty nowadays,” the Charizard confessed to Glover’s Ditto. “Joan and I think it might be pain killers, or antidepressants.”
“Have you ever considered he finally just went completely batty?” Gizmo replied with a chuckle. “I’ll call the psych ward.”
Prometheus shuddered. “Oh no, don’t do that. We… no. You don’t want to do that.”
The amorphous creature leaned forward. “Oh really.”
“Besides, my claws aren’t very good at dialing human phones. And you don’t really have fingers.”
“Not now, but I could.”
“Still, it’s probably a bad idea.” The Charizard glanced after Cole. “Anyway, it was good to see you again, Gizmo. But I really have to go now, and make sure Cole stays out of trouble. See you tonight.”
“Take care of yourself. I think they have leash laws in this city. I know I’m getting one for my human. You might want to do the same.”
Prometheus grinned. “That may be the best idea you’ve had all day. Adieu, my friend.”
And with that, Prometheus swept away, cutting a path through the mass of humans with his sense of presence. The Journeymen briefly glimpsed Cole as he grinned at the dragon, and then they were gone.