Drew and Bernie lunched and then spent the rest of the afternoon in the Princes Street gardens. She had bought a small loaf of bread to feed the ducks, geese and pigeons that frequented the gardens and the fountain. She also had some peanuts for the squirrels. The furry little thieves darted about picking up the nuts offered and the birds waddled, fluttered and pecked at the bread.

A cat appeared at the side of one of the shrubs. It slunk low and padded nearer to an unsuspecting squirrel. Bernie smiled and lightly touched Drew's arm to gain his attention. He turned to where she pointed. Her voice low she told him to watch the cat.

"She comes here every day," she explained. "Or so I believe anyway. She's always here when I come. Watch her though."

"She's after that squirrel," Drew noted, pointing to the grey which was busy stripping back the testa of a peanut to reach the precious kernel.

"Yes. The squirrels are fast too, don't worry. She is so graceful though, the way she moves, so lithe, so stealthily. I love watching her."

"I know," he breathed against her ear. She turned to look at him. For a heartbeat, there was a look of recognition, but it vanished the moment she turned her attention back to the cat. 

He had felt something too, utterly inexplicable. But, somehow, he just knew she liked watching the cat.

The feline stalked the squirrel for a few moments longer before sprinting at it. The squirrel was instantly alert and darted across the path to the safety of the trees and shot up the trunk of the nearest one. The cat reached the bottom of the tree. Instead of climbing as expected, she sat at the base, looking up and mewling, flicking her tail back and forth. Her prey had all but vanished in the lush canopy overhead.

Drew glanced at his watch. Time was getting on. He should really head home. So why was he reluctant? Since the episode on the train station steps, the urgency to get home had faded although the desire to get back to Azeroth had not. He'd found himself enjoying the company of Bernie. He was well aware that earlier that day he had not even considered seeing her again. He probably wouldn't have either, if she hadn't phoned him. There was no denying now, he felt very comfortable with this woman. And there was an air of familiarity. A vibe. A connection. Although what, he knew not.

She had noticed him looking at his watch. With eyes turned to the ground she sighed softly. "You're keen to get away aren't you?"

"I should be getting home, Bernie." He looked at her. Her hair rippled a little in the light breeze. "But no, I'm not keen to leave. I've enjoyed this afternoon." The words tumbled out before he knew it.

She lifted her eyes to his and smiled hesitantly. "You could stay another night. If you want to, I mean."

He didn't answer right away. The offer was clear.

He sighed. So much for his brain staying in his skull.

☸

He lay awake, an arm around Bernie as she slumbered next to him, her arm draped across his chest. He couldn't sleep. His mind swam in a torrent of strange thoughts and visions, along with others more familiar. There was an incomprehensible complexity to his memories since that incident at the station. He tried to push them aside. Although he couldn't sleep, he couldn't think straight either.

It turned out Bernie had been the most welcome company that day, though he could not quite understand why he had chosen to remain in the city when he should have been in Azeroth. Had he went home as planned, he would have opened a portal and be gone, just like that. But some strange phenomenon had rooted him here for another day.

The experience at Waverley station still puzzled him, and, if he was honest, frightened him too. It had been a tour of his inner body, but at the same time, it felt like it had belonged to someone else. And that someone had undergone an insurmountable amount of injury. Was it just some sort of side-effect from last night's indulgences? The dregs of a hang-over and a high? Again, trying to think about it was just too hard.

He glanced down at the redhead beside him. A smile curled on his lips. Fourteen hours earlier he didn't care less if he'd never seen her again, yet here he was, in her bed having had great sex and now she cuddled up to him. A recent memory tugged at the back of his mind. He'd felt guilt after the first time with her? But, why? And it wasn't as if Bernie had not been willing - both times, actually.

His eyes moved to his jacket, draped over a wicker chair near the window. Should he? Or should he wait until the next train and get to the privacy of his own home. That would at least be another five hours away though. The first available train wasn't until 5.45 and then it would be another hour and a half before he reached his front door. 

Time in Azeroth could span days in what was only a few short hours here. He had figured out by returning this weekend it should be around time for Sarah to have had her baby. At least he hoped he'd worked it out correctly. He was keen to see her again, and Khadgar, Erik and others. Again, there was a hint of something - different, changed. It frustrated him losing these glimpses, but he tried to reason that perhaps they were not that important.

He'd left it long enough. It was the Spring break here, so he'd arranged a few days off anyway, but delaying his return was not an option. He had to get back to Azeroth.

Carefully sliding out from under Bernie's arm, he gently placed it on the pillow he vacated and started to quietly get dressed. He checked her before he collected his jacket and the bag of baby clothes. The bag rustled, he froze, glancing back over at the sleeping woman. She never stirred. Slowly, he moved to the door, praying it wasn't on creaky hinges. It opened quietly. He checked the hall for signs of life.

Her two flatmates had been in earlier. He'd quite liked Mel, he was a good musician and showed off his talents for a while as he chatted away easily enough. He told Drew he'd been down at Sounds that afternoon and there had been a really good session there with Jimmy and his dad, Frank.

Mick, however, was a different kettle of fish. He was mostly quiet. Sitting with his immaculate sculpted hair, his fingers steeple-jacked, he quietly watched the other three chatting away. He said the odd word or two, but generally, he just observed.

The group had engaged in another conversation about gaming and role-playing. Drew was a little guarded in his responses. He still didn't recall how much he had divulged the night before, but he was totally compos mentis now and protected his secret fiercely. Perhaps he imagined it, but he could have sworn there was a strong dislike aimed at him in Mick's eyes.

Now, however, all was quiet in the flat. He closed the door to Bernie's room, pausing long enough to make sure the soft click of the lock didn't wake her. Nothing. Good. He crept over the hall and into the living room, again closing the door carefully behind him. He put on his socks and shoes and donned his jacket. Making sure he had everything he needed, he dug into the inside pocket of his jacket. His fingers closed around what he needed and he pulled it out. 

The portal stone, made of felblood crystal and sargerite shards glinted in his palm. With one last look at the door behind him, he started to conjure the portal.

☸

Bernie's eyes sprang open at the sound of her door closing. She had pretended to be sleeping, for she thought he would do this. Hoped he would do this. Quickly, lithely, she got out of bed and dressed. Picking up a pair of sturdy ankle boots and a warm hoodie, she opened her door and peeked out to the hall. Her breath caught in her throat as a shimmering light started to bleed from under the living room door. It was real! He was making the portal!

She padded across to Mel's room. He was sleeping so she shook him. He lifted his head, about to speak when she shushed him by placing her fingers over his mouth. Her eyes were wide, excited. "If you want to go to Azeroth, get up now, but be quiet."

"What?" he mumbled behind her fingers.

"He's making a portal as we speak. I saw it's light under the door, and..." A sound like gallons of water swirling started to build. "Can you hear that?" she looked at Mel, her eyes pleading that he did. His head turned towards his open door. He nodded. "Then get up and get dressed. Quickly!"

Mel threw back his duvet and started pulling on his clothes as Bernie scampered through to Mick's room. She met him half dressed already. Seemed he too had lain awake, waiting, hoping. He grinned at her. "This is going to be fun!" He grabbed his overcoat and together the three flatmates met at the living room door.   

Music: Evocation composed by Adrian von Ziegler

https://youtu.be/Mzhubp0_D7I

They all looked at the floor, their eyes tracing up around the doorjamb as blue-green light shimmered and pulsed, growing brighter by the second. The sound of rushing swirling water steadied, maintaining an even frequency, almost hypnotic. Mick's hand grabbed the handle.

Mel suddenly guffawed, the other two stared at him. "Be a bastard if he's just watching a travel programme on the TV," he said, trying to contain his laughter.

Mick was seriously unimpressed; Bernie perplexed. Mick threw open the door and instantly, Mel's laughter ceased. There in the centre of their living room was a gigantic, spinning mass of blue and green. It reached to the ceiling, perhaps even further, it was hard to tell. It rippled, thrummed, warped. The sound frequency suddenly changed.

"Fuck! It's starting to close. Let's move it!" Mick said.

Both Mel and Bernie ran forward without a second's thought, followed by Mick who was shrugging into his overcoat as he moved towards the portal. They entered.

Inside, they were suspended, spinning, being pulled through, all sound muted similarly to when one's ears are plugged, about to pop. A look of both joy and fear played on Bernie's face. She had been right about Drew, he wasn't just talking about role-playing with his game characters. He had found a way to get to Azeroth. It was real!

Mel's expression was one of complete amazement, staring at his hands, torso and legs watching the colours ripple over him as he tumbled forever forward. He was laughing again, this time from the euphoria of such a thing existing.

Mick's face was set with a quiet determination. How he had hoped Bernie wasn't just fantasising as she usually did. Her fuck buddy had proved to be the real McCoy however. This was going to be a great adventure. And no, he wasn't going to play nice. His role-play was going to be very different.

Without warning, they were vomited out onto soft earth and a loud pop indicated the closing of the portal behind them. They had been spat out near a dry and dusty road. Grassy hills and meadows stretched on either side. Cows meandered a few yards ahead of them, grazing on the lush greenery, omitting lowly sounds of contentment. The only other sounds were birds and the trickle of a small stream nearby. It was tranquil. The first impression was nothing spectacular, by all accounts they could have been somewhere in Scotland.

Mel shook his head, his man bun wobbling vigorously, becoming undone. He blinked, allowing his eyes to adjust to the light and shade around him. His fingers drove into the ground. He lifted them to his eyes and watched as dry earth filtered through his fingers. He caught sight of Bernie a few yards away to his right lying on a soft bed of grass. She was pushing herself slowly up into a sitting position, her red hair adorned with seeds, grass blades and miniature blooms. She turned her eyes to him. They smiled at each other. If nothing else, they had at least travelled through a portal.

A shadow loomed between them. Mick stood, brushing dust and dry earth off his overcoat. He clapped his palms together, ensuring no grit remained before he palmed his sculpted coiffure. Satisfied it was still looking good, he shrugged his shoulders and pulled up his collar. His eyes focused on something in the grass a few feet away. He smirked and went over to the object. A teddy bear. He stooped and picked it up.

"Give that to me!" A voice said from his left. Drew appeared, his carrier bag of goodies a little battered looking.

Mick looked at the teddy bear then tossed it carelessly to Drew. "Well hello to you too," Mick grinned, scanning the area around him.

"Why on earth did you follow me?"

Mick looked at him, feigning surprise. "Surely you mean, why on Azeroth, do you not? Where exactly are we anyway?" His face although attempting to look friendly did not quite successfully conceal the sneer that traced his lips.

"Elwynn Forest. And again, why did you follow me?"

"Why not!" Mick spat. "Is it your sole prerogative or something, pretty boy?"

Drew's mouth tightened. He had been right about this one. Smarmy, arrogant; definitely not a Drew fan. And potentially trouble.

Bernie came up behind Mick. She didn't understand why his tone was so aggressive. She glanced at Drew and gasped.

His eyes narrowed. "What's wrong?" Drew asked her, momentarily perplexed.

She seemed lost for words and stood, simply pointing at him. Again he asked what the matter was, she was unnerving him. "Your – your face," she stammered.

Drew raised his hand to wipe his cheeks expecting to see blood. On inspection of his fingers, there was only green. Grass stains from his impact when he passed through the portal. He looked at her again, puzzled. She had turned her eyes away, blinking rapidly as if trying to remember something.

Drew dismissed it and looked back at Mick. The flatmate's rigid posture oozed disdain at the exchange between Bernie and Drew. He stood with a sneer still lingering on his face as he glanced at the redhead then back at Drew. "Say your goodbyes then children," he said.

"What?" Drew gaped. He was really starting to resent this guy's  condescending tone.

"Goodbyes?" Bernie asked, a look of confusion on her face.

Mick glared down at her. She had never seen that look on his face before. Inwardly, she cowered. "Yes, Bernie. I told you before..." he pointed at Drew. "He's for the Alliance. We are Horde."

Mel joined the group. His face was unreadable. "What's going on?" he asked.

"Your esteemed leader thinks he can survive here like he's a character in the game," Drew explained.

"Leader?" Mel asked. Mick shot him a dark look. Mel dismissed it. He wasn't intimidated by Mick. The truth was he thought he was a bit of a prick, but right now, Mick and Bernie were the people he knew best and having been together for over five years, he wasn't going to suddenly change allegiances. Especially not now they were in another dimension which reflected a make-believe world back home. He reasoned there might be safety in numbers.

Mick turned back to Bernie. "Now that you've fucked your way here, say your goodbyes. We've got what we wanted."

Drew glared at Mick then his eyes rested on Bernie. She seemed stunned but managed to stammer a response. She looked at Drew. "That's not what it was, I swear."

"Oh come now, Bernie," Mick said with a scoffing tone. "You were the one who got all fired up with his blabbing on about this. You were so convinced he was speaking about actual events instead of mere gaming that you convinced us, Mel and me, that it would be worth pursuing."

"It wasn't like that! Yes, I wanted to come here, but that's not why - you know - " she bleated, once more looking at Drew. His eyes held a hint of disappointment. Maybe even hurt. "Honestly, it wasn't." She pleaded.

Mick kept going. "Weren't you the one who believed he was going to return soon? And wasn't it you who called him to meet up? You put down the snare, Bernie. Then you seduced him back to the flat, knowing pretty much or at least hoping, that if it was real, there was a high chance he'd try to return from there."

"Hey, hang on a minute..." Mel interrupted wanting to defend Bernie. Again, Mick shot him a look, then a wink as if it was all a ruse. Mel's brow furrowed. He wasn't sure what the hell was going on. Mick liked his dramatics, but he was being more than a bit cruel to Bernie. And to Drew. The guy had seemed okay to Mel, he didn't understand Mick's animosity towards him.

"Why are you being such a bastard, Mick?" Bernie asked, not afraid to voice what she thought.

"Am I? The truth may make me sound like that certainly." He inspected his overcoat for any stray specks of dirt or grass, before his hard eyes turned back to her.

She was raging inside. Partly because some of it was true, but she had not used Drew as Mick was suggesting. Yes, she'd believed that his stories of Azeroth were more than game related. His details had been too precise, too personal. Well, she hoped, above all else. She looked back the man she had spent most of the day and night with. She really liked this guy. There was something so nice about him, so familiar, so ... safe. But, with a growing sadness, she saw a look of disappointment and doubt building in his eyes. Mick was convincing it seemed.

"Please, Drew, I didn't use you, I –" she tried again to make him understand.

"Really? Sounds pretty much to me like you did," he replied. "Remember this, Bernie - Delicious! Hope to taste you again. Maybe in Azeroth?" He watched her flinch at the words. "Go on the lot of you! See how well you fare. I know I'd be wasting my time trying to talk you into going back home."

"At least you got that right, Drew," Mick retorted.

With a shake of his head Drew turned to leave.

"Drew!" Bernie called out, taking a step forward. Mick caught her by her arm. She glared at him and wrenched her arm free before turning back to look at Drew.

He spun round, but kept walking backwards. "All the best. You're going to need it." His voice was etched with anger. Then he faced forward once more and took off in a jog.

Mick clapped his hands and looked triumphantly at his two colleagues. Bernie looked upset. She'll get over it, he told himself. Mel seemed resigned to their lot, standing with hands in jean pockets, waiting to hear what the plan of action was.

"Well then," Mick said enthusiastically. "Let's get our bearings."

"Drew could have helped there!" Bernie said tightly.

Mick took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. He was not prepared to listen to her moaning on about how Drew could have done this, Drew could have done that. He was gone. They didn't need him. They all played the game enough to know what was what here. Bernie seemed to sense what Mick was thinking.

"Do you know that his friend - who chose to stay here by the way - saved King Varian from dying on the Broken Shore?"

Mick and Mel stared at her. This they had not been made aware of. Bernie was smirking internally. "She also released Illidan Stormrage and nearly died in the process. He healed her and now, she is part demon hunter. She then went on to summon Azeroth to defeat Sargeras."

"Really?" Mick's cynicism was ripe.

"How can you be so contemptible when you are standing here, in Azeroth itself!" she barked at him.

"What else happened?" Mel asked Bernie, genuinely interested.

"Plenty, but that was the main things. She's pregnant now too."

"Drew's I take it? That is why he brought little presents with him I gather?" Mick laughed, but it sounded false.

"No, not Drew's."

"Whose then?" Mick's lip sneered.

"The father is Archmage Khadgar."

At that Mick erupted with laughter.