Chapter Seven #2
“No. Well, sort of. That is how need is determined, but it’s a flash of understanding that shapes my energy. Diena seems to have structured hers more for her needs, which is helpful for her. I am guessing that was linked to her pregnancy.”
Ithal smiled and kept working.
Eskin looked over his shoulder and raised his brows. “Ithal, how far in the future can you see?”
Ithal smiled. “As long as I want to. I want a dad, so I am seeing as far as I want. No little brother or sister yet. I will keep looking.”
Alody blinked. “Stop looking, you little weirdo.”
He giggled brightly.
Eskin murmured, “Can I bribe him to keep looking?”
Alody glared at him. “He’s a little vague on how long it takes, and I am older than your mother, Eskin. That is a sport for the young.”
He grinned. “You look young.”
“We both know that looks can be deceiving.”
She glared at him.
Ithal paused and focused. “My niece is two. Baby has silver hair. I get a little brother. I will be twelve.”
Alody paled and swayed. “You are certain?”
“Yes. I could draw you when it’s in your stomach, but I am not good at drawing yet.”
She was startled into laughing. He would draw a stick figure in a skirt with a circle for the pregnant stomach.
Eskin was smiling. “Silver hair, you say?”
Alody snorted. “The future can change.”
Ithal gave her a long look. His were always right.
Eskin asked a question that must have been bothering him. “Ithal, why didn’t you use sight to see the bus accident?”
“Mom says not to use the sight on my friends or teachers. So I only let it loose at home.”
“This is home?”
“I want it to be. It is a little fuzzy. I am over here a lot. I can see sis building a climbing structure for me in the back yard. There is a pool already, so when I am ready to open my gills, I can do it there.” He shrugged. “Or at least I can practice swimming and get ready.”
Eskin nodded. “Sensible on both counts.”
Alody came over and looked at the schedule that was taking shape. “Wow, Ithal. That is really detailed.”
Ithal nodded.
“Where are you now, buddy?”
“Third month. Akkers said that the guy has to propose, so I am looking for that.”
Alody said softly, “Ithal. Stop.”
Ithal sighed. “Okay. This is for Eskin, though, so he knows when to ask you to go out. And there are days for us all to go out to the playpark.”
Alody snorted. “Right. So, wise one, what are we doing today?”
Ithal smiled. “Mr. Eskin, can you throw a ball? Mom throws like a girl.”
Eskin grinned. “I can throw a ball.”
Alody closed her eyes and nodded. “Yes, your sister has provided balls and gloves. She was really looking forward to having us here.”
Eskin paused. “May I suggest that we head to your home so you can pack your bags? If the seer says you will be here, I believe you shouldn’t interfere with his streak.”
Alody looked toward the hall where Diena’s room was. “Oh, Jenaki is with her.”
Eskin nodded. “He is, indeed. I have taken the liberty of summoning a defender transport, which may or may not have some defenders in it who can pack and move a house in a matter of minutes.”
Ithal said seriously, “That is a misuse of resources.”
Eskin said, “Sometimes they need practice without punching things.”
Alody blinked. “We are going to be moved by a team?”
Eskin grinned. “Yes. If we go now, it won’t take more than an hour.”
“Only the bedrooms and Ithal’s toys. The kitchen and dining room stay put. Hang on.”
She walked down the hall opposite the one that led to Diena’s room.
The rooms all had beds and bathrooms, but they were blank canvases. Diena had room for them. She had planned for them.
Eskin came up behind her. “Perhaps not the room next to or across from Ithal.”
“What are you planning under my daughter’s roof?”
His skin darkened. “I would call it enhanced cuddling.”
She snorted, and Ithal said, “I wrote that on the calendar.”
Alody blushed. “Oh, dear. Can I get a copy of that?”
“No! It’s a surprise.” Ithal giggled and then gasped. “Sgoth and Ekron are waiting outside a transport! No way!”
Alody grinned. “And just like that, he’s a normal eight-year-old again.”
Eskin snickered. “Okay, Ithal. Let’s go.”
Alody sighed. “You are going to have to allocate about fifteen minutes to him quizzing Sgoth on all the shapes he can take.”
“Sgoth likes kids. He and Jeneev have a whole plan for a houseful.”
Alody focused and touched Jenaki’s mind. He would stay with Diena. She was safe.
She pulled her mind in, nodded, and smiled. “Okay. Let’s move me into my daughter’s house.”
Eskin nodded. “A suitable first date activity.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Shut up.”
He grinned. They left Diena’s home and went to pack their essentials. Apparently, they were getting a family home.
The transport had a lot of room, and Ithal spent the entire drive pelting Sgoth with questions about shapeshifting.
Alody looked at Eskin, and Ekron drove them to her home. He hadn’t asked for the address.
She sat back and pinched the bridge of her nose. “I had forgotten how annoying team members were. You would think I would have remembered after chatting with Torun, but no, I purged it from my mind.”
Eskin chuckled. “You might want to get used to it. Some of them are special professors, and we will need to consult at quarterly meetings when planning the curriculum.”
Alody blushed. He was speaking like they were going to be together at meetings. “If I end up at the academy, how will Drin get her dresses?”
Ekron swayed. “Wait. What? Can’t you do both?”