Monday 10 November 2008

Nano Modern Myth 1.3.2

Mike and Euan were just inside when a cold voice called out from the entrance they had so recently passed through.
“Hey Euan, where’s the rush?” called Ronan, leaning against the glass doorway.
Euan paused, not needing to look around to know who it was.
“What is it?” he called back, through gritted teeth.
“Can you lend me a tenner? I’m running short over here,” he replied, before taking a long draw on his cigarette.
“Go on without me, I’ll be there in a minute,” Euan told Mike under his breath.
“Good luck,” Mike whispered back, with a sly roll of his eyes.
Mike continued through the double doors into the next section of the library, whilst Euan turned back to the main glass entrance way. He passed through the door and out into the haze of smoke.
“What do you want it for?” he asked, his tone guarded.
“Does it matter?” Ronan replied, flicking the ash off the end of his cigarette.
“I don’t suppose it does. It’ll inevitably end up going on more fags and booze,” said Euan through gritted teeth.
“Hey!” said Ronan, putting one hand on his chest in mock-hurt. “I steer clear of the booze, me. You must be thinking of someone else.”
“Whatever,” Euan sighed. “A tenner, was it?”
“Or twenty, if you’ve got it,” said Ronan, his dark eyes following the movements of Euan’s hands.
Euan drew out his wallet and handed Ronan a ten pound note. Ronan reached over and nonchalantly pulled it from his hand. He held it up to the light, to see the Queen’s face beaming down on him.
“Just checking,” he said, before stuffing the note into his trouser pocket.
“What are you doing here anyway?” Euan asked, eyeing his cousin with some suspicion. “I wouldn’t have thought the library was really your scene.”
“Normally I’d agree with you,” Ronan replied, blowing out a stream of smoke into Euan’s face. “But needs must.”
“You didn’t come all the way over here just to bum a tenner?” Euan demanded, a scowl crossing his features.
Ronan shrugged, a crooked smile forming on his lips.
***

“How’s it going?” Cerys asked, smiling around the group, whilst ruffling her brother’s hair.
“Terrible, naturally,” Tom replied, shaking his head.
“Unmitigatingly bad,” Callum added, waving a copy of ‘Law Firms and Legal Practices: A Guide’ above his head.
“Objection!” Felix shouted spontaneously, slamming his hand on his copy of ‘Ambulance Chasing: the hows and whys.’
There was a brief lull in that section of the library, as everyone looked at Felix curiously.
“I hope you haven’t been working yourself too hard,” Penny murmured to Euan, coming up behind his chair and wrapping her arms around him. He smiled, twisted around in his chair and kissed her lightly on the lips.
“I’m sure he still has plenty of energy for you,” Felix sneered, with a wink.
“Back off Felix,” Tom growled, his hand holding his book open on the title heading ‘The Formation of Thunder.’
“And for you too, if you ask nicely,” Felix quipped without pause.
Tom glowered darkly at him, gripping his book tightly in his fists.
“I’m sure you’d love that, wouldn’t you Felix?” said Cerys with a roll of her eyes.
“Ooh, tell me about it,” he replied with a leer. “The more the merrier, don’t you think?”
“You’re disgusting, Felix,” Penny objected, pulling up an extra chair to sit beside Euan.
“No I’m not,” he replied in mock-shock. “Disgusting would be joining in on Cerys and Eurig getting down with some twinning action.”
“Urgh! Don’t even say things like that man!” said Eurig with a shudder.
“Just shut the hell up!” Tom added.
“Some of us are trying to get on with our work,” said Callum, shaking his head.
“You’re going to get a slap in a minute, boy, if you keep that filthy talk up!” Cerys spluttered, putting her hands on her hips.
“Is that a promise?” Felix replied, looking her up and down.
“Just get the hell out of here!” said Tom, slamming down his book.
“Fine! I know when I’m not wanted,” said Felix, tidying up his section of the desk.
“Good. I’ll take that seat from you, while you’re at it,” said Cerys, moving in to take his spot.
“I’ve always got a seat going spare for you, Cerys,” Felix leered back, standing up and shouldering his bag.
“Oh, hush, you!” she snarled back, waving her hands at him dismissively.
Felix ambled away from the group, who collectively scowled at his retreating back.
“I can’t stand that boy,” said Tom, the minute he was out of sight. “I don’t know why we let him hang around with us.”
“He doesn’t have any other friends,” Penny replied with a shrug.
“He’s just so… conniving and slimey!” Eurig exclaimed, brushing imaginary filth from his sleeves.
“He doesn’t really have many social skills,” muttered Euan contemplatively.
“Probably stems from problems in the family,” added Callum with a nod. “In our lectures and things, he’s never been particularly keen on ‘Family Law.’”
“I’d have thought he’d have relished the idea of working with divorce cases,” Cerys replied bitterly. “He loves to stick his nose in, breaking things up. Trying always to uncover people’s secrets.”

1 comment:

Quoth the Raven said...

Formation of Thunder - brilliant touch. Also, nice to see some Felix Being A Twat, or, in this case, Felix Being A Disgustoid. Personally I wanted Tom to attack him with some nearby handy DIY equipment. I am sadness that this did not happen.

Oh, and that Ronan. What an Oddity.