Blake landed on the library roof, folding his wings and crouching down so I could slide off him more easily.
The big red gryphon rolled over on his back, and after various stretches of various limbs he had changed himself back into a big red kangaroo.
I sat next to him, resting a paw on his belly, and looked down into his eyes.
He looked back, and then through me, up at the stars behind the dome. I rolled over on my back next to him, looking up likewise.
“I’m sure we don’t belong up here,†I said.
“Just because you’re not supposed to do something doesn’t mean you don’t do it,†Blake said. “It means you think about whether doing it is worth the consequences.â€
I laughed. “You’re trying to corrupt me.â€
“Not at all,†Blake said. “Just reminding you that you have the power of choice. Even if the consequences are dire, you can choose to risk them—a ‘Keep Out’ sign is not an impenetrable force field. So what are the consequences of being caught up here that are so dire anyway? What’s the scenario you imagine?â€
“Well, for trespassing we might go to court…†I said. “Might be a fine, or even jailtime. A blemish on my public record.â€
“That’s a worst case,†Blake said. “Isn’t it more likely that, say, someone might find us and say, ‘Hey kids, you don’t belong out here, come back inside,’ and we do? Or that we don’t get found at all?â€
“You are trying to corrupt me,†I said.
“Only a little.â€Â He turned to face me, resting one heavy arm on my chest.
And he moved his arm lower, his paw passing my stomach. “Maybe about… this much?â€
He squeezed playfully.
“In a public place?†I said.
“Ah, but it isn’t public,†Blake said. “There’s a Keep Out sign. This place is private for the many who allow a piece of cardboard to be stronger than their willpower, when it should take a good deal more.â€