I came over with another round of drinks for everyone. Placing my cousin's cherry mead on the table in front of him, I raised my martini.

"Sure, to Tannie!"

There was an audible and collective gasp.

A drunk in a dark corner hiccuped and the jukebox gargled away noisily against its wall.



The door creaked on its hinges and Lancie leaped up to catch a slightly tipsy Blackie who was a bit unsteady on her pins.



Outside, the wind howled and beat against the shiny glass windows. There was a supersonic explosion and then the rain flooded down. The door creaked again and opened to a completely drenched figure.

Still, no one said anything, although their gaze swiffered from me to the newcomer.

Sakura, however, mouthed at me wordlessly.



`Duckary