The boys followed me back into the Hideout. Damon grumbled about the club.
"What kind of place is this Toxic Ozone?"
Of course Ben wouldn't know living in his own woody community.
"Picture blackness, fire, and lots and lots of leather. I used to go back in my early days. They like humans. Well like to buy our souls anyway." I squinted trying to remember more details. "Never had to pay for drink. Those were the days. Lots of Gods hang out there. Mostly the ones associated with dark stuff. Most of them are harmless now. They just like the worship from the humans and what their names get them. It's like a high for them I guess. The Big Bads don't need that kind of worship."
"Forgive me for not knowing but what kind of worship do the Big Bads need?"
"Fear. Sacrifice, and Lies."
"Don't most god's like some sort of sacrifice?"
I just wanted to squeeze Ben's cute little wolfy cheeks.
"Of course silly, some want your time, some want your words, your possessions, your faith, some want your life. There are lots of ways to worship."
"Do you worship anyone?"
"Me? Oh yes I do."
Damon and Ben froze on the steps on the way to the second floor.
"You do?" Ben swallowed.
"Yep, I worship Brad."
"Who the hell is Brad?" Damon growled.
I snorted. "I can't tell you. You haven't passed the initiation yet. So you can't be part of super secret society of Holy Brad. Plus no boys allowed."
I turned left instead of my customary right to my apartment door. I opened the door marked employees only and prepared for some fun.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going to Eden. You two didn't think staying here is free did you?"
Their Adam's apples bobbed as they peered ahead. I rubbed my hands together and thought about letting out my most maniacle laughter.
"This way fellas. I'll give you a tour. You need to put on some of those mucking boots and grab the shovel and rake. I'll grab the wheel barrel. Over there is where we house the cow and the chickens. Make sure to gather all their droppings of gold and add it to the compost pile. Be careful of Bertha the chicken, she will go for your eyes if you get too close. She's the best egg producer. So thats why we put up with her attitude. I'll weed the veggies and gather up the ripe ones."
Damon looked at Ben. "Do you get the sense we might be getting tricked?"
"Don't worry city boy, I've been around my fair share of chicks." Ben winked at me.
"Don't say I didn't warn you."
Damon squared his shoulders and barely moved when Ben smacked him on the back.
"Let's show her what we're made of."
They strutted their way to the coop.
I made my way to the rows of tomatoes and peas. Nothing tasted better than fresh cherry tomatoes and fresh peas. I didn't have the patience to shuck enough to make a salad but a few here or there stifled my cravings. I grabbed on of the baskets and took in everything from herbs, to butterfly flowers, and fruit trees. Lila had a magic touch with growing things. The place fit its name to the letter.
I bent to grab a few more veggies when the swearing and clucking started. I smiled to myself.
"That's no chicken that's a hell hound in disguise."
The yelling started. I grinned and whistled a happy tune.
"Hell hound? No way that's a dragon with feathers and razor sharp claws."
I could help them but what could little me do to help an Alpha and a Council Investigator. They'd live.
I finished gathering my bounty and made way to the animal area. Damon held one end of a rake and Ben held the top of the metal feed container like a shield from the days of old. Small feathers floated about and dark patches covered their clothes. I hoped dirt made up the majority and not something else.
I wish I could take a picture. I laughed so hard I thought my side would split open.
I bent over grabbing my middle trying to catch my breath.
"Are you finished?"
"Yes, I am." I wiped a few tears of joy off my cheeks.
I grabbed a few strawberries from my basket and tossed them. Bertha clucked happily and went to enjoy her treat. I walked over and grabbed her eggs.
I sashayed out and heard the guys clearing their throats.
"Make sure you get the lid back on right so Bertha doesn't get any extra feed. You guys get to the milking yet?"
"No, we were otherwise occupied with your attack chicken."
Daisy the cow enjoyed getting milked and only took a little extra greens to occupy her time. I grabbed the bucket and sat on the tiny three legged stool and made quick work.
"She's pretty amazing." Ben whispered to Damon.
"I know."
I could hear them clearly but I let them think I didn't. I soaked up the praise. Lila taught me the tricks but it felt nice to recognized.
"Don't spill the bucket. We can take these to Lila and she will get it ready for her customers." I grinned up at them.
Feathers and hay dotted their hair and clothes and they looked exhausted.
We walked down the stairs and into the kitchen to hand over the goods to Lila. Her face lit up.
"You guys are the best. I haven't had time to go up there today." She eyed the men. "I see you boys met Bertha."
They nodded and smiled. Ben ran a hand through his hair and shrugged.
"I need to borrow some clothes. Do we have anything for these guys from the donations that won't get them turned away at Toxic Ozone?"
"Maybe, leather isn't too popular with the people we help out."
We did our best to help out people and Lila used a network of contacts to get odds and ends. I went around once a month a picked up the donations from different drop off points. In a world of crazy it helped to have a few kind things in the mix.
"Sweet. Lets go play dress up."
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