Dean grabbed his silver cigarette case that held his nails before checking the peephole on the door. A man wearing biker’s spandex and a helmet stood there looking up at the peephole as if he knew Dean was on the other side. His bike a silvery color was resting against a pillar unlocked.

Opening his cigarette case, Dean opened the door. Aggie had positioned himself to be in direct line of sight to their visitor ensuring that he would be spoken to first. Dean finished opening the door using it to shield him from view, ready to attack at a moment’s notice.

The man standing in the doorway still wore his helmet. Forcing the tips of ears to poke out of his hair. The pointed tips clearly showing that he was fay and somehow managed to track them back to their home.

“Good day, I’m here to mediate issues with agent apprentice Dean Fabre. I appear under on behalf of Lady Andromeda appointed lord under Queen Titania of the Summer Court,” the spandex-clad fay said. His back was straight as he spoke looking directly at Aggie. “I come under the banner of peace and ask the host to permit me to enter his abode.”

Before Dean could speak Aggie replied, “We welcome you into our home under the banner of peace. Any refreshments are freely given and hold no quid pro quo upon you holding no malicious intent on anyone in our home,” Aggie said.

“I acquiesce,” the man said eloquently.

“Before you enter may we know the name of the being that knows ours?” Aggie replied while holding a paw up causing the mand to stop in his tracks.

The man nodded his headed and spoke a sound that sounded like leaves being rustled by a soft breeze. Afterward, he said, “From what I have come to understand is that my name is impossible to speak by most mortals so you may call me by my mortal given name. Anil.”

Dean bit back his laughter at the name Anil. His body shaking as Anil walked into the apartment ignoring Dean.

“Would you like any refreshments while we parley?” Aggie asked in a gentlemanly voice.

“A glass of water would be nice,” Anil said as he took his bike helmet off. “From Pikes Place Market and a nice tuna steak.”

“What,” Dean asked perplexed by the weird order.

“Of course,” Aggie said followed with, “My apprentice will gladly fetch any other requests you have.”

“No that should be enough for my needs,” Anil said.

“You have my leave apprentice,” Aggie said turning to Dean.

Dean went to say something but felt that Aggie push a little onto their magical contract. A slight tightening in his chest before it was gone gave something to think about before opening his mouth. A knowing look from Aggie is all Dean needed. His train of thought thinking of the words Aggie used.

Parley meant they were talking about something like a duel. A word he only knew from a movie about pirates and zombies Keira Knightly. Or was it Natalie Portman, he thought to himself. It didn’t matter. Whatever they were talking about hopefully led to something less violent than a nation of creature from legends and myths out for his head.

Rushing to his room Dean quickly through on some of his normal clothing. Brown pants a t-shirt and a pair of green suede tennis shoes he didn’t even himself a second look before grabbing his wallet and silver cigarette case and out the front door. The door slammed shut and the deadbolt clicked locked before Dean realized he had forgotten his keys hanging on the door. The keys they had to see when they had locked him out.

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Without access to the car, Dean could have taken the bus but that may take too long. He could attempt to run the mile and half there and then back with the groceries but knew it would be even slower. Looking at Anil’s mercurial colored bike he felt he could be there and back before they noticed the bike missing.

Hopping on the bike his foot touched barely pressed against the pedal and he could feel the world rush by him. Slamming the brakes he skidded to a stop a block away from his apartment. His face flushed in excitement as he understood the Fay’s name. The sound of wind rushing past his head as he sped along on the bike.

His foot back on the pedal he attempted to be more careful on fast he traveled. With a trepidatious push, he zoomed down the bike path. The bike swerving through the crowd as if it had a mind of its own. Quickly becoming accustomed to the speed he felt free like the wind. And like that, he was at Pikes Place and then past it as he pushed the bike faster and further.

The world blurred and Dean felt that the bike still wanted to go faster. The wind in his ears became a loud roar as it attempted to rip him from the bike. Trying to slow down, the brakes jammed as the bike pushed to go faster.

Panic setting him, Dean felt as if he was riding a tornado. Attempting to free his feet from the pedals it felt as if they didn’t want to let go of him. The bike swerved in and out of traffic and at times going against traffic. The ride becoming a dangerous game of chicken where Dean had lost control.

The wind pressure stealing his breath Dean lowered his head letting the bike take the lead. Breathing in and out slowly to hold his fear at bay he opened his mind’s eye to feel his nails. In his mind, the bike took on an amorphous form running across the skies free as a bird. Forging past this disconcerting sight he felt for the cigarette case holding his nails. Each nail brightening up as they responded to his call.

The bike began to swerve back and forth as it felt his iron touched powers. It began to slow down as Dean began to pull on the iron nails in his pocket. The framed started to shake as if in fear of what was in Dean’s pocket before stopping in front of a convenience store in Ballard.

Dean leaped off the bike, letting it fall onto the ground. Watching it as it laid there he wasn’t fooled by this inanimate farce. Pulling a nail out of his pocket he held it up to a tire as if he was going to pop it. He watched it mercurial paint almost imperceptibly shiver.

“Take me Pikes Place Market and then home,” he whispered to the bike, “so I can get what Anil asked for.”

Putting the iron nail back into his pocket Dean watched the mercurial paint become silverish and subdued. It's impish nature being cowed.

Picking the bike back up he felt the power within it still begging to be free to soar through the skies. Quickly shutting off his mind’s eye he climbed on the bike letting it take the lead. Rushing through the streets Dean knew he could take control but let the bike lead.

Grabbing the tuna steak from Pike’s Place Market was easy. The glass of water not so much. Grabbing a souvenir glass and a bottle of water. Praying this would count.

Hopping on to the bike he let it once again take the lead as it took him home. Resting it back where Anil had it he stood in front of his own door poised to knock. His knuckles were close to the door as it swung open. As if Anil was answering his own door.

Reaching down to the plastic grocery bag in Dean’s hand he opened it. “Not exactly what I asked for but it will work.” Reaching into the bag he pulled out the tuna steak placing it in Dean’s hands before saying, “The tuna steak Aggie asked for.”

Walking by Dean he put his helmet back on and picked up his bike. The dull silver of the bike backing to its mercurial tone at his touch. Anil’s hand lightly running the length of the bike with a lover's caress.

“Zephyrus says he enjoyed your little jaunt,” Anil said.

“Who,” Dean replied.

“Zephyrus the west wind,” Anil said, “My steed. But he also says to be careful who you threaten with your nasty little magic.”

Before Dean could reply Anil and his bike were gone. The sound of wind rustling through the trees is all he heard.

Turning around Aggie sat on the steps looking up at him.

“We have a lot to discuss,” Aggie said before turning around and walking back into the house.

Dean walked back in holding the steak, wondering what they had to talk about. And how Anil knew about the meal he owed Aggie.