Chapter Six #3
Emmers grinned. “Thanks for mentioning that, Grandma.”
Amy’s cheeks were hot. “Yes, thanks, Grandma.”
The older woman beamed. “No problem, Vixen. Always here to serve.”
Normic laughed, and Keel chuckled.
Amy looked at Emmers. “So, did you get the night off?”
“Clan leader summons automatically gets us a night off. Of course, I can go back to a half shift if I am released from her summons.” He looked at his grandma.
Grandma sipped her iced coffee. “Nope. You have to show me the sights.”
Amy chuckled. “I sense a taco stand in your future.”
His grandmother cocked her head. “Really?”
“Sure. Dem-rah’s taco stand is reliable for late-night food. It’s where the XIA take their breaks. Your grandma can meet Neekil and Kairek.”
“She has already met them. Six years ago, before Neekil went for his long nap.”
“Does she know that Kairek is a dad?”
Emmers grinned. “She does now.”
Grandma sat and stared. “That headless fireball has a child before you do?”
Amy was chortling, and Keel whispered something in her ear. Oh.
Emmers smiled. “Yes, Grandma, he does. A little boy named Jerrik. He and his mother are Amy’s neighbours, actually. You should meet them both tonight. The Frostfires have to see her home, after all.”
Amy stopped grinning and tried to imagine the whirlwind of clothing that she had left behind. “Uhh... I need at least an hour. There wasn’t much time between leaving work and getting here, so my changing out of work clothing was slightly energetic.”
Emmers snickered. “Made a mess?”
“Clothing explosion.” She chuckled. “And yet, I look pristine.”
Normic laughed. “You do. All elegant and icy.”
“Thank you.” She inclined her head. “This is one of the cocktail outfits that will shift with me. I erred on the side of caution.”
Emmers smiled and lifted one of her hands to his lips. The light kiss was a riot under her skin. Amy was staring as he looked at her with mischief twinkling in his gaze.
She sighed and pulled her hand back. “Classy.”
“It’s a start.”
She flipped him off. He grabbed her hand and kissed the knuckle of the extended finger.
Grandma was grinning. “Excellent. Now, what is a Night Faire?”
Amy paused and said, “It’s a fair where more nocturnal races have a renaissance kind of vibe. Folks dress in period costumes and fantasy costumes and just go and have fun. There are mage artisans, other species with specialties, and plenty of dance and battle demonstrations.”
Normic grinned. “As a giant, you would have no issue. I hear security is pretty good.”
“It is, and anything violent and uncontrolled gets a call to the XIA.”
Keel chuckled. “I have heard of it but never gone.”
Amy smiled. “If you want to go any time with a guide of sorts, let me know. The faire is running for the next three weeks, and then the season is over. The food isn’t this good, but there is something about eating while a green man juggles cabbages in the corner, while a glassblower across the way makes witch balls. ”
Normic smiled. “You like it.”
“I can be a giant there, and no one bothers me. They actually smile at me while I tower over them. It’s relaxing, and there are folks far more unique than I am. I fit in there.”
Keel patted her shoulder. “You will fit here, or we will stretch to fit you.”
Amy blinked a few times, and then tears started flowing down her cheeks. Keel hugged her and said, “I know, it’s rough. When they throw you into the cold, you don’t know how to start again, but part of you is always looking back and watching for light in a window.”
She nodded, and he pressed his head to hers.
He whispered, “I have been there. Gay snowy owls aren’t as widely accepted as you would think.”
She gave a startled laugh.
Keel smiled. “I found a family with Frostfire, and falling in love came a distant second.”
She wiped her cheeks. “Thanks for that.”
Keel sat back and stroked her hair. “Of course, I thought he was a huge pain in the ass who couldn’t calculate his way out of a linen closet.”
“And I thought he was a nagging little nerd who didn’t have any vision, but we managed to cooperate. This place was five years old before we got married.”
Amy sniffled a bit. “When was that?”
“Twenty years ago.” Normic smiled. “Twenty joyful years ago.”
“How long have you been clan head?”
“Five years.”
“Oh. Nice. This place is lovely, by the way. The ambience is so soothing.”
Keel chuckled. “As long as you run cold. We keep cloaks at the front desk for humans or folks who need it warmer.”
“Sensible and increases your customer base.” She glanced over at Emmers, and he looked like someone had smacked him. “What’s wrong?”
Grandma smiled. “He’s upset he can’t comfort you.”
“Oh.”
Keel chuckled. “Don’t worry. I think he will find the opportunity to give it a try.”
Normic smiled. “Now, I know that partings are awkward, daughter, but when you leave, just tell Amani that your fathers have taken care of the bill. I have always wanted to do that.”
Keel snorted. “I will go let her know. Don’t worry. Not a prank.” He kissed her cheek and gathered the paperwork. He got up and headed to the front of the house.
Normic smiled. “Keel is so excited for this. Please put up with his frequent texts and requests to go to dinner or lunch. The XIA headquarters is only eight minutes away in a cab. Less if we send our car. You get an hour for lunch?”
“Yes.”
“Good. We have a lunch menu that is fast.” Normic smiled. “I would love your thoughts.”
“I just eat what’s in front of me.”
“Refining your palate will be on our list of things to do. Do you cook?”
“Bake.”
Emmers smiled. “She makes seriously good cookies.”
“I look forward to trying some one day. For now, I will wish you good night with the lady of Frostclaw acting as chaperone.” He got up, and she rose to get the hug. “You have a clan now, so feel free to relax and enjoy yourself.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Do you think you will be able to call me Dad?”
“Perhaps at our second meeting.” She smiled wryly.
He tapped her nose. “Good catch, little fox. We are going to have an event at our home to introduce you to the highest-ranking members of our clan. What are you doing this weekend?”
“Um. Joyously meeting my new clan?”
He laughed. “That’s the spirit. Emmers, are you free?”
“No, I am working night shift.”
“Hm. Not ideal, but we will work without an escort.”
Emmers nodded, and Amy smiled. “Okay. What is the dress code?”
“Dress-casual.”
“Okay, great. I will aim for that, but I might miss.”
He touched her cheek. “I am confident you will get the hang of it.”
Emmers helped his grandmother to her feet, and she shook Normic’s hand. “So glad we could bring your daughter home.”
Normic inclined his head. “Thank you for seeing the need, Lady.”
When they finished their farewell, Grandma took the lead, and Amy followed with Emmers behind her. She paused at the counter and said, “Amani?”
The woman looked at her politely. “Yes?”
“My fathers have said that tonight is on them. I am Amhoran, daughter of Normic and Keel.”
Amani smiled. “Well done. They wanted to make sure you were willing to claim them. How much tip should your server get?”
“Thirty percent? He was very good at pretending that the situation wasn’t as weird as it was.”
“Thank you, Miss Amhoran. I look forward to seeing you again in the future.”
“Thank you, Amani.”
Emmers was smiling softly as they left the restaurant and paused in the warmer air. “So, would you like to come with us to the Night Faire?”
“Oh, you are going now?”
“Yes. Grandma is adventurous, and she won’t be here long.”
Grandma was only two inches shorter than she was. “Yes, I am so delicate and frail that I won’t be here long. Are there attractive men there?”
“Sure. A lot of the guys go shirtless.”
“Grandma!” Emmers scowled.
“I am old, Emmers, not dead. Perhaps we should go to Vixen’s home, and she can change into something for the faire. We can drive her from there.”
Amy blinked. “Oh. Right. Well, he knows where I live, so I will head out and see if I can be changed when you arrive.”
Emmers grinned. “Race?”
“No. I saw your car when I came in. You have lights and sirens.”
He laughed and helped Grandma into his vehicle. Amy sprinted to hers and got out of the parking lot with him on her tail. She drove into an alleyway and portalled her vehicle at home.
She staggered into her house and found her costume with a skirt and corset.
She got undressed and dressed in under four minutes, pulling on her costume and lacing up the bodice as she went to get her boots.
When he pulled in, she had gathered the scattered clothing from earlier and was in Night Faire clothing.
She walked to the car and climbed into the back seat, and he turned to look at her. “You cheated.”
She sat back with a smile. “Shut up and drive, fuzzball.”