I shift back, breathing heavily. "Thanks."
"No problem. No one wants a flat weasel."
I snort despite my racing heartbeat. "I'm glad I'm not flat."
"Me too, can you imagine what a mess that would be? Robin wouldn't be happy."
"Well I'm glad you've been saved from having an awkward conversation."
"Me too. But seriously, are you okay?"
I nod. "Just misjudged the jump. Or I judged it right, but then thought better of it when I was halfway through."
"Mmm, I've been there."
I raise an eyebrow. "You have?"
"I think most shifters go through it at some point." He gestures to the platform. "We should sit."
"We have streamers to unfurl."
"And we'll do that once your heart rate is normal."
"Oh, so you're a vampire who can hear that now?"
He snorts. "You know I'm not a vampire," he responds. "But you did just have a scare, so it's perfectly reasonable to think that you need a minute."
"Just don't tell Robin. It's only a week until the ball now, and as far as the list goes, I don't think we're doing very well."
"Considering how much time we've saved by not having to go and find a ladder, it'll be fine."
"All right." I sit down, ignoring the slight wobble of the boards as I do. It's not as unstable as the light fixture. My pulse is already starting to return to normal, and a sense of amusement fills me. I burst out laughing, hardly believing that I nearly fell down from a light.
Rupert sits down beside me, a little amusement on his face, but he's not all out laughing like me.
"I can't believe I did that. What am I? Eight and thinking I'm invincible because I have a second form?"
"I knew you when you were eight, and you'd never have done anything like this then," he counters.
"Ah, so what you're saying is that I'm more reckless than when I was eight?"
He shrugs. "They do say that this is the time for making stupid mistakes."
"I think they mean drinking too much and hooking up with strangers," I point out.
"I suppose you need something to replace the first one, when you don't drink."
I swing my legs back and forth. "I'm sure Dad's going to be thrilled when I tell him that I've decided to start nearly falling to my death instead of just having the occasional drink."
"Have you ever had one?" he asks.
"Oh, yeah. Like twice. Not at home, obviously. Mum doesn't keep any alcohol in the house to help Dad stay sober." The confession comes out easily, though I don't know if that'sbecause he's Rupert and something about the situation as it stands reminds me of when we used to be friends, or maybe it's because he already knows the basics of Dad's struggle with alcoholism. I suppose neither matter. "I didn't really like it much either time, so I never really carried on with it."
"I get that."
"Because you never drink?"
"Rarely," he admits. "I might have taken business because it's what Dad wanted, but I've been trying out for the county cricket team. I know it sounds dumb, but I want to try and get onto the England team. With Dad not really wanting me to do it, I have to do it all on my own. Not drinking means I'm in better shape for training. Though I'll still do it every now and again."