The next morning I awoke in my bed with the worst hangover I’ve ever had. Half of my body was over the side of my bed, fully clothed and the only thing keeping me from falling off was my somewhat balanced position. I rolled off the bed, catching myself as I slumped to the floor. My hand instantaneously moved to comfort my aching head as I slowly stood up. “What happened?” I said to myself before walking to the door.

After opening the door I looked back at my bed only to be shocked at the sight of Elysif asleep on the opposite side of my bed in a position that was less than gracious. I had a moment of shock but knew that freaking out would wake her and she would probably kill me afterward. Of course, we were both clothed so we couldn’t have done anything that bad. I stepped out the door to see Scott sitting on the couch with his legs propped up on an end table that he had moved in front of him.

“Good morning.” Scott said with a grin.

“Uh… what happened last night?” I asked with a worried look.

“If you’re wondering why Elysif is in your bed? No, you two didn’t do anything but I did place her in your bed.” Scott replied.

“What? Why?” I asked with a bewildered tone.

“Consider it training. When she wakes up, she will attack you and ask questions later. I know from experience. If you can escape her, you win.”

“What do you mean experience? And are you trying to get me killed?”

“My wife pulled the same stunt on me and Elysif years ago so I thought I would give it a try and no I am trying to keep you from getting killed.”

“Your wife sounds like a dangerous person.” I said.

“She was the most dangerous member of the Agency for a while so yes she was dangerous.” he said in a matter-of-fact way. Then we looked behind me to see that Elysif was standing right behind me. I jumped in surprise and ran behind Scott but when I looked at her she was rubbing her head in the same way I was. She then walked in front of Scott and while yawning kicked him in the chest. He fell back on the couch against the floor with a boom.

“You can’t pull off the same stunts your wife did. I can forgive her but you’re an ass.” she said as she sat against the wall. She looked like she wanted to go back to sleep. She is definitely not a morning person. “So what actually happened last night? My memory is a little hazy.”

Scott laid on the ground rubbing his head from where he hit it on the floor. Then got up and put the couch back on four legs. “You all got hammered and I carried Elysif and guided Lou home. I didn’t have your key Elysif and I wasn’t going to search you so I put you with Lou as a courtesy and as a joke.”

“Okay, what about Iscarat?” I asked.

“He seduced Mama Louise and spent the night with her.” Elysif and I shuddered at the thought of that. “Oh, and we have a mission.”

“What kind of mission? The Agency doesn't usually ask you to go on missions.” Elysif said.

“This wasn’t from the Agency but from Mama Louise herself. She wants us to destroy some Willowisps and has offered her services to watch the city while we’re gone.”

“Well, I guess I’m going with you two.” Elysif said adamantly.

“Huh?” Scott and I said with a stupified look.

“Willowisps are rare and possibly very dangerous, so I’m coming along.”

“Okay, fair enough.” Scott replied.

“What is a Willowisp exactly?” I asked.

“A creature of great power that few have records of due to their rarity and their ability to kill. They are hard to kill and I can count on one hand how many have seen them and lived.” Scott said.

“And we’re going to kill one?” I asked.

“No, we’re gonna kill several of them. Now pack your bags.” he said getting up and going to his room. Elysif and I both sat there in shock at his last sentence before Elysif sighed and fell over.

“Okay Lou, you slept in the same bed as me which makes you my lover so as my lover you need to carry me downstairs to my home.” she said.

“No, it doesn’t.” I replied, going to my own room. I didn’t hear the door to the apartment open so I assumed she was still lying there. I regretted assuming that because she chucked one of Scott’s empty bottles at me. It hit the back of my head and I passed out on the floor with a loud thump. I guess I lost Scott’s “training” in the end.