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Post by CLAIRE MCLEESTER on Mar 21, 2012 20:11:25 GMT -5
That day at work had been crazy. There was so much commotion about the missing exhibit that the museum actually hadn't been open at all. They'd shut it down to do further inventory to see if anything else had been taken. Claire knew that nothing else had, but she went along with it. She tried not to say too much or look too guilty. But sometimes that was hard for Claire McLeester. Finally they had decided to send all the employees home early so that they police could further their investigation. Questioning would be held the next day and they'd have to cooperate with the police that entire day.
So Claire used the extra time she'd been granted to run around her apartment trying to clean as much as possible. It had seemed like an impossible task but she was determined to at least pick up her clothes off the couch. And her bed, considering it was just a studio apartment. It wasn't as if Claire had a whole lot of space, and she never bothered to get any sort of divider to split her bedroom apart from the living room. So the bed was pretty much out in the open.
She picked up a random bra that seemed to be in the kitchen somehow and threw it into the closet and shut the door. Hopefully he wouldn't try to go in there at all. Not that he had any reason to.
Claire had dust the entire apartment down, picked up a few random pieces of cat hair that Luna must have shed the night before, and threw a bunch of dishes in the dishwasher so that they would be out of sight.
Luna was laying on the back of the couch just watching Claire run around doing all the cleaning. The cat licked her paw and decided maybe she ought to clean herself as well.
When Claire finally finished picking up her messy little apartment, she glanced over at the microwave clock to see it read 6:52. She sighed with relief, glad that she had finished and looked around her apartment. It still looked a mess.. not a dirty mess just... disorganized. She knew she didn't have much time left and decided to just head to the bathroom, change into a different top, run a comb through her hair and brush her teeth.
After she spit out a mouthful of toothpaste and wiped her face off with a hand towel she decided to kick off her heels and throw on a pair of socks. Because her floors were completely wood she nearly slipped trying to get to her slippers but grabbed hold of a corner of the bed and caught herself. She slipped on her slippers and heard the doorbell ring.
"Score!" Claire said to herself and pumped a fist into the air. She had managed to get everything done in time! She headed to the door with her black fuzzy slippers on her feet and opened it up.
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Post by GRIFFIN CARTWRIGHT on Mar 21, 2012 20:24:27 GMT -5
The day had been a long one. Griffin had tried to cooperate through everything that had been going on at the museum. All hands were to be on deck to help with the inventory! He was glad that he had been working apart form Claire all day, knowing it would be odd seeing her knowing what he had to tell her that night.
Every time he thought about it his heart hammered and he felt warm all over. He was excited and nervous, and the day seemed at times to drag and other times to speed on by. Finally it was time to leave.
When Griffin got home he showered, taking great care to clean his wings. He flapped them dry when he was through and then dragged a towel over them to get them to look clean and in place. Last, he slid his harness on, tying it tight around his chest. He slid a fresh button down shirt over his body and sent a comb through his blond hair.
To him it was almost like he was going on a date. He felt excited like it was a date, though he knew it wasn't. Should he have gotten flowers for her, he wondered? But then reminded himself, for the hundredth time, it was just dinner as friends.
At 6:30 he left his own apartment and went down to catch the bus to Claire's street. His foot tapped the entire time, and when he got off he walked to where he knew the apartment was. When he arrive he went in and went up to her floor, his heart fluttering in his chest.
Taking a deep breath, he rang her doorbell and waited nervously for her to answer. When he saw her open the door he felt a little nervous that maybe he'd overdressed, but didn't let it show. "Hey." He greeted, giving her a smile and then swallowed hard, licking his lips after. "I hope you're hungry.."
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Post by CLAIRE MCLEESTER on Mar 21, 2012 21:07:45 GMT -5
"Hey"
Claire gave a big smile when she saw Griffin and stepped away from the door so he could come in. "Hey back. Right on time. Give or take a minute." She said and let out a little laugh. She didn't know why but she was almost more nervous having him in her place than she was being at his.
"I hope you're hungry.."
"Are you kidding? I could eat." She told him as if that was suppose to be some kind of joke. But it was true. Claire was starving and she figured her stomach would start rumbling any minute now.
He seemed a little more dressed up than her and she felt like a bum suddenly. Although she had exhausted herself from cleaning that she hadn't had time to really put effort into an outfit! Sure, her teal colored shirt was dressy with its ruffles and how it tied in the back but she had traded her heels for slippers and that definitely bumified her outfit.
"So.. for tonight's fine cuisine I've got lots of variety for you to choose from." Claire began to talk as if she were a food connoisseur and headed for a drawer in her small little kitchen after he'd come inside. She grabbed a stack of menus, the majority of them being Chinese, like Wok Wok Now and China Chow and began to spread them between her hands like she was getting ready to use them in a card hand.
"Picky picky!" She said playfully and fanned herself with them before she held them out for him to select from. "I'll give you the awesome tour of my palace after we know where we're ordering from!" Claire figured she'd try something different that night instead of her usual.
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Post by GRIFFIN CARTWRIGHT on Mar 21, 2012 21:39:55 GMT -5
It was difficult for Griffin not to blurt everything out when he'd walked in. He had worked himself up all day and now he just wanted to get it off of his chest, but patience was a virtue he had mastered and he tried to push it all back as he moved into her apartment.
He looked around and grinned. It was just so...Claire! Everything looked like it should belong to her and he felt instantly comfortable there. It was like being inside of her in a sense.
He turned and watched her as she bustled around and got the menus out. He looked at them all like they were trading cards of some sort and then shook his head. "Goodness, how do I pick?" He asked, amusement in his voice as he decided to shut his eyes and reach out, grabbing the first Chinese menu he touched. When he opened them he looked down and chuckled. "Foo King Chinese wins, I guess." They very obviously didn't have their English down when they named that one.
"Hmm.." He looked through the menu moving to one of the couched and making himself at home, sitting down at it. "I think maybe I'll get the spicy eggplant and..." he peaked on the back. "Sunshine rolls." He licked his lips and looked at Claire, a nervous grin on his face.
"I'll, uh..call them if you let me know what you want. We could get an appetizer if you like? Or... we don't." He was definitely nervous and his feathers bristled below. The man pulled out his phone, waiting to get Claire's order from her.
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Post by CLAIRE MCLEESTER on Mar 21, 2012 21:50:25 GMT -5
When Griffin said Foo King Claire snorted, trying her best not to laugh out loud. But she hadn't known Griffin to swear and what were those Chinese people thinking?! They said it ten times worse, too! When he headed over to the couch and sat down she remained standing. She always got fidgety when people came to her apartment, unless it was Cheyenne. She just felt like she was suppose to be doing something, like cleaning or giving them something to drink.. rub their feet.. anything!
"I think I want..." She shifted her weight from side to side and tapped her cheek thoughtfully. What did she want?! "Let's go with shrimp fried rice. Yes.." She couldn't remember if she'd ever had it from there before or not. "Yeah, I'll have that. Ooh! And those crab rangoon things! They're an appetizer and they're very very good!" Claire made a face at the thought of eating them, which looked kind of funny but it was her yummy face!
"Okay, order that up.. then like.. we'll go from there.. yes." She wasn't sure what to say! So she gave a big thumbs up and a cheesy grin.
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Post by GRIFFIN CARTWRIGHT on Mar 21, 2012 22:07:24 GMT -5
Griffin listened patiently as she decided on what she wanted. He didn't need to write it down, it was easy enough to remember. He dialed the number and waited until the picked up. "Hi. Yes, delivery. Mhm..." He placed the order and then gave the address. "Yes. That would be great. Thank you." He said politely before hanging up and putting the phone down on his lap. He stared at the floor for a second awkwardly and then up at Claire. He cleared his throat and fidgeted, pulling out his wallet and putting money aside so when the delivery man came he would be prepared.
"It should be here in about 45 minutes." He explained, looking up at Claire. Should he start talking? He had no idea where to go from there, and his heart was beating faster and faster in his chest.
Finally, after an extremely pregnant pause he patted the seat beside him. "You...maybe you could sit with me?" He offered and then sighed. "I know you're probably wondering about last night." He said, his voice wavering a little. "About how I know about the Avisaille, and honestly I've been wondering the same for you. Not many people know their true name." His eyes bore into hers.
"Do you believe, Claire? In the legend?"
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Post by CLAIRE MCLEESTER on Mar 21, 2012 22:20:13 GMT -5
Claire stood there waiting quietly as he ordered the food and then messed with his wallet. When he was done she was about to say something totally random just to get the conversation going but he beat her to it and went straight to the point! When asked to take a seat she scooted over to the couch and sat beside him, her knees and the rest of her facing him so she could be sure he knew she was listening to him.
"I know you're probably wondering about last night."
"That's the understatement of the century." She said and kind of awkwardly grinned at him. Truth was she'd been up half the night pondering how he knew about the Avisailles. She had no clue and even at work she sort of went through the motions just trying to get time to pass so she could find out!
"Do you believe, Claire? In the legend?"
Claire just sort of blinked at him a few times and then tipped her head towards him as if she hadn't heard him. "I'm sorry, what did you just ask?" Although she had definitely heard him and she blew out a deep breath, angling it so that it would push some of her hair away from her face. "Oh geeze.." Was the best she could say as her hands began to fidget in her lap, her fingers intertwining nervously.
"Well.. we did just.. I mean.. well you see.." She couldn't think of the right way to say it! "Herbie looked pretty real to me." That was the truth!
"I always knew about them. I've heard about them. But never actually seen one."
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Post by GRIFFIN CARTWRIGHT on Mar 21, 2012 22:30:47 GMT -5
"Well.. we did just.. I mean.. well you see.. Herbie looked pretty real to me." He nodded, feeling silly for having asked. But seeing wasn't always believing, and he'd hoped she would say something more about her belief. Like, how she'd heard of the Avisaille.
The conversation was uncomfortable for him. He wanted to just take his shirt off and show her. It would save the trouble of going through all the motions of getting to the point, but Griffin wanted to know if he could truly trust Claire.
"I always knew about them. I've heard about them. But never actually seen one." He nodded, watching her with a serious expression.
"This isn't something the average person has heard of or has always known about, though." He said slowly. His eyes pierced hers. "Tell me how you know, Claire. Why do you know that name? The truth. Please..." He begged, unsure what she would tell him. "The truth. Nothing gets spoken tonight but the truth."
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Post by CLAIRE MCLEESTER on Mar 22, 2012 0:03:39 GMT -5
"The truth. Nothing gets spoken tonight but the truth."
Claire began to bite her bottom lip while her hands continued to fumble over one another nervously. What was she suppose to say to that?! Cheyenne would kill her if she told Griffin what she was. Was there some other way to get around it without actually lying? She didn't think there was. And Claire hated to lie! She didn't want to start lying to Griffin, either. "T-to be honest, this subject makes me kind of nervous. I mean, it's just.. I don't know what to say!" She tried to explain without actually explaining anything.
She got up from her seat and started to pace around. It seemed like the only thing that would calm her down in that moment. This wasn't going to be an easy conversation to have with him. With anyone for that matter. As she paced Luna came over and started to attempt to rub up against Claire's legs. It was as if the cat knew. When Claire looked down at the cat she pointed at it. "My mother!" She said and then realized that she must have looked crazy standing there pointing at her cat while she said her mother. Of course Luna reminded Claire of their mother, the way her coat was black just as their mother's had been.
"Not-- the cat isn't my mother! I just- thi-- my mother is the one who told me." Claire managed to get out in a chopped up sentence. It was considered the truth. "My mom used to tell me stories when I was younger. About the Guardians and how they came from different places and that they're here to protect that tree out there that.. never does ANYTHING!" She pointed in the direction that she knew was to the park even though they were inside. Claire knew where it was in accordance to her apartment.
"She told me that there were different Guardians but some of them probably don't exist. That some of it actually is myth." Claire's arms were doing their own thing, waving over her head as if she were trying to describe through interpretive motions. Then she would pace again and then stop, say something, and then pace again.
"Well the Avisaille were.. I don't know. Myth I always thought. I mean she told us about them but I never saw one so it's not like I would know. Until you know.. Herbie came along. But just because you don't see them doesn't mean they're not there, right? I mean it's not like they just come out and are like 'oh hi there, my name is Bob. I'm bob and I have wings and I can FLY!' No, because then Bob would A: be put in a mental institute and B: if he did have wings, he'd be admitted to a lab! And do you KNOW what they do to lab rats?!" Claire had managed to get herself off topic again, the way she usually did when she was nervous about something.
"When someone isn't what society deems normal it makes it hard to be yourself. So you blend in, do your thing. And try to stay away from the lab tables." She shrugged and then actually thought about what she said. Even her expression showed that she was confused. "..I just went off topic, didn't I?" She knew she had and a part of her had wanted to.
"I think my mom might have met one or two. She slept with half of the city, I'm sure if there were any she would have found them." Claire rolled her eyes a bit at the thought. "So yes. The answer to your question is... yes." Had he asked her a yes or no question?! She couldn't remember at this point! "I had my doubts but Herbie definitely made a believer out of me."
She decided she was going to shut up now and let him talk, and she even stopped pacing. But then she opened her mouth again. Apparently she wasn't done! "Wait a minute, how do YOU know? I mean, last night at the beach you told me they're called Avisailles. You were so sure! Do you know one? I'm the one who wants answers, mister!" Her words weren't mean in the slightest. Her hands went to her hips and it was almost comical the way she had asked, even though she really wanted to know!
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Post by GRIFFIN CARTWRIGHT on Mar 22, 2012 13:46:07 GMT -5
"My mother!" She was very passionate in the way she said it as if she had just thought of it suddenly. It was a good enough answer, Griffin thought, but he wondered why on earth she was pointing at her cat. When she established the cat wasn't her mother, which he was already certain of, he smiled and chalked it up to one of Claire's little odd moments.
He listened as she explained it was her mother who had told her about the Guardians and how she'd slept around. His heart sank a little, hoping her story would be better. Maybe she'd known some, or better maybe she was one, but she wasn't. He was sure she would have told him if she were, but it was alright.
He was patient, and watched her flail about as she often did, getting off topic and then back on. He had to agree; they would do terrible things to the Avisaille in a lab. This was the main reason they became doctors and cared for their own, and why they burned their deceased. All evidence of their existence needed to be hidden from human view. It was a sad fact, but in order to be able to survive undetected, it was how they needed to live. It was a lonely life at times, being unable to do the things most people could, but they managed.
"When someone isn't what society deems normal it makes it hard to be yourself. So you blend in, do your thing. And try to stay away from the lab tables." It was such a powerful statement, and he agreed completely. "..I just went off topic, didn't I?" He shook his head. "No." He answered gently, touched with her view on it all. It was as if she understood him without knowing about him.
All too soon the spotlight was on him. "Wait a minute, how do YOU know? I mean, last night at the beach you told me they're called Avisailles. You were so sure! Do you know one? I'm the one who wants answers, mister!"
Griffin was silent for a moment and then slowly nodded his head. "I do." He told her softly. "Actually, I know several." His words were soft and serious, his eyes deep, wise and terrified as he watched the girl carefully. He licked his lips and looked down at the ground. "Claire, I didn't pull away from you last night because I'm not attracted to you or because I'm uninterested. Your heart is as beautiful as the rest of you, and I would be honored if someone like you found comfort in my embrace, but I'm not as I seem.." He gulped and looked cautiously at her. "For starters, I'm a great deal older than you are."
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Post by CLAIRE MCLEESTER on Mar 22, 2012 14:18:01 GMT -5
"Actually, I know several."
Claire's mind was blown in that moment. Did he just say that he knew several Avisaille?! She didn't know what to say to this news and just stood there in the center of the living area and looking down at him. She was actually glad that she wasn't sitting down. She took news better when she was standing up and never understood why some people thought it was best to sit down. Did they worry she might faint?! Claire wasn't a fainter. She'd never fainted in her entire life. She'd act like she was going to a few times in the past just for dramatic effect, but that was it.
He began to talk about how he hadn't pulled away because he wasn't attracted to her. That was nice to know! Then when he called her beautiful she got a little more awkward. Or at least that's how she felt, since she wasn't great at taking compliments. But it didn't show anywhere but a little bit on her face as her cheeks turned a light shade of pink. Then Griffin said something that really threw her through a loop.
"For starters, I'm a great deal older than you are."
She didn't really understand what he meant by that. Sure, they never actually talked about their ages but Claire never really asked someone what their age was. It was just a number in her mind. And he didn't look like he was that much older than her! He couldn't be. "So what you're like.. thirty-two? What's the big deal with that? I mean age is age. Who really cares about some number anyway?" She tried to make it sound nonchalant but with Claire nothing came out nonchalant.
"So.. you know a group of- group.. herd.. flock? What do you call a bunch of them, a flock? I mean.. Heh.." She wasn't sure what she was even trying to say at this point and her face gave away her confusion. "What exactly are you trying to say?"
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Post by GRIFFIN CARTWRIGHT on Mar 22, 2012 15:56:33 GMT -5
"So what you're like.. thirty-two? What's the big deal with that? I mean age is age. Who really cares about some number anyway?" His smile was a little sad. He wasn't close to thirty-two and if he was she wouldn't look his way anyway, because he would appear to be sixteen or so. He sighed and shook his head just a little. He was about to tell her how old he truly was when she continued her questioning.
"So.. you know a group of- group.. herd.. flock? What do you call a bunch of them, a flock? I mean.. Heh.." He sucked his bottom lip in a little, softly saying, "Group is fine.." "What exactly are you trying to say?"
It was the moment of truth. He could either go through with it or he could just lie and move on. He gulped, feeling jittery. In all his fifty six years he had never done anything like this before. With shaky fingers he began unbuttoning his shirt, the harness just barely visible as it opened to reveal his torso.
He stopped when he'd finished and looked up at her with his deep, piercing eyes. "I trust you, Claire. More than many." He gulped and stood up, the shirt falling to the couch below him. He looked down and began loosening the laces on his harness that kept his wigs so close to his body, smashing them to him and often messing up the feathers.
With each tug on the tight strings he felt the harness loosen and his heart jump a little higher. He looked up skeptically, knowing she could probably see the white and gray wings as they slowly moved up and away from his body, falling into position there on his back. He pulled the straps away from his body and held onto it down by his stomach. There was no turning back now, what was done was done. The truth was out. His secret revealed.
Finally.
The man rolled his shoulders and the wings spread a little and bristled, fluffing out a little like a bird who'd just had a bath and was ready to preen itself. They did a little flap and then rested there against his back again.
"I'll be fifty-seven this summer." He said hoarsely, his eyes nervous as he watched her carefully. "Please..don't...don't be alarmed Claire.." He begged, unsure of how she was feeling at that particular moment as he held a hand out towards in a halting motion, not wanting her to freak out, but knowing with Claire it was inevitable..
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Post by CLAIRE MCLEESTER on Mar 22, 2012 21:50:33 GMT -5
Claire watched Griffin and when he began to unbutton his shirt she couldn't help but wonder what that had to do with what they were talking about. Not that she was complaining, but she knew it would just distract her from what they were talking about! Only she couldn't have been more wrong.
The harness threw her through another loop. He said that he trusted her, and she too felt a certain trust for him. Especially after the previous night. But the harness seemed very weird and she started to think maybe she didn't know him all that well. Was he the kinky sort? Claire didn't dig that at all.. but then something else caught her eye. She saw something that seemed to move just behind his shoulder and was.. was that a feather?
When the harness came off she got a better view of what they had been concealing. And for a split second she thought she was standing there in front of a stranger. She didn't recognize Griffin in that moment as the wings stretched out and she just stared at him with a blank look on her face, her lips parted.
"I'll be fifty-seven this summer."
"Fift-fifty-seven?" Claire blinked and then realized that she was standing there staring at him. That's when she cracked and started to laugh nervously. It started out as just a little 'heh heh..' but then escalated and she just stared at him with a concerned look. Something about it seemed almost funny even though it really wasn't.
"Shut. Up."
That was all that Claire seemed able to say at the moment. Words just fumbled around but never came out. All this time she'd been working alongside an Avisaille and hadn't noticed! The harness explained a lot as to why she never knew. She couldn't believe his age more than anything. He didn't look like he was fifty-five years old! He looked to be Claire's age and that was just.. amazing!
After a minute of her stares she took half a step towards him, shuffling her foot along the wooden floor. "Can I touch it?" She asked and then knew that probably sounded weird. Especially since she kept looking at his bare torso and his wings more than his face. His body.. "You're like something out of a magazine.. but with wings!" She exclaimed and stuck her hand out hoping he'd let her touch them.
"I can't believe you never told me!"
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Post by GRIFFIN CARTWRIGHT on Mar 22, 2012 22:39:32 GMT -5
Griffin had no idea what to expect or how she would react. He watched her carefully, unsure how she would take it all, and when her eyes widened and she simply stared, he knew he had shocked her. He felt a little self conscious, not used to people seeing his bare chest and he ended up sliding a hand over his body to sort of shield it from view. It didn't help. He felt his cheeks turn pink, not used to being gawked at like this, but he knew it was to be expected. He had, quite obviously, blown her mind.
A week ago Avisaille's had been a myth she had never seen before, only heard of and wasn't sure really existed. Yesterday she had proof, but it wasn't strong. Today? He had made her a believe. Seeing was believing and she was definitely seeing now.
"We don't age as quickly as humans." He explained when she asked about his age, or rather seemed unsure she had heard him right. Then the laughter started, which made his cheeks turn even brighter. Was she laughing at him? He realized quickly it was more because she was so startled by it than anything else. "Shut. Up." For the first time since he'd taken his shirt off he grinned a little. He sort of liked the reaction she gave.
"Can I touch it?" No one had ever asked to touch his wings, but it made sense. He would have wanted to as well. He nodded at her request and brought his feathers forward, crossing them around his arms so that they sort of enveloped him. "You're like something out of a magazine.. but with wings!" Her compliment made his cheeks turn a full red now and he gulped and shook his head. "No.." He disagreed bashfully as she moved closer.
Griffin took her outstretched hand and placed it on one of his wings, encouraging her to feel them. He'd allow her to do anything she wanted, grateful she didn't run away from him and his oddity.
"I can't believe you never told me!" He chuckled and shook his feathers suddenly, playing with her and showing off a bit. "I barely knew you." He explained. "I didn't know if I could trust you. I didn't know if you would understand. I've never told anyone before.." He explained, reaching and taking her hands in his, moving his head so he could catch her gaze. "This is important." He told her softly. "It's a secret. You can never tell anyone, understand? Not even your sister. My entire life depends on this. Please... if you do I'll have no choice but to leave the city for a while. My life is here. My friends, my family...you..."
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Post by CLAIRE MCLEESTER on Mar 23, 2012 0:11:49 GMT -5
When his wings wrapped around him Claire jumped a little as if she were going to get whacked in the head by them and then started to laugh at herself for jumping. When her hand was guided to one of the wings she moved her hand gently down in the same direction as the feathers, not wanting to mess them up. Her green eyes were filled with curiosity and excitement all at the same time. She stuck her tongue out the side of her mouth as if she were concentrating.
That's when it hit her. He trusted her enough to tell her his secret.. that he was a Guardian. But it came with strings attached as it should very well have. She couldn't tell her sister. That's when she looked at him and then bit her bottom lip as if she were trying to keep the smile from spreading across her face.
"Are you kidding? I can't keep this from Chey! Well.. I mean I could if you really wanted me to. But.." She trailed off and retracted her hand and placed her palm to her forehead. He'd shared this with her.. maybe she could be straight forward with him as well. It wasn't as if he was going to go around telling people, since he was a Guardian himself.
"Okay. What about the other Guardians? Do you know any other ones? You know.. that aren't.. awesomely cool and partially bird?" Claire asked him and couldn't stop herself from smiling.
"Wow. Just.. wow! I figured you were going to tell me your grandparents knew who Herbie was or something. I didn't expect.. this is just.. wow!" Claire didn't know what to say about the whole situation! But she decided if he was going to tell her his biggest secret when why couldn't she tell him hers?
"Okay!" She held her hands out in front of her as if to stop him from saying anything. "Just.. here's the deal. I may have a secret of my own.. maybe it's just fair you know. Trading secrets seems like a great idea, right? Maybe just to show you how trustworthy I actually am."
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