Chapter Seven #3
She laughed. “I don’t have access to the fabrics or equipment. Sorry. Morthiwel’s going to have to find a replacement if the academy comes through.”
Ithal cackled. “So you are going to be a professor.”
“Not sure, Ithal. I have been an instructor before, and my students were annoying.” She glanced at Eskin. “Very annoying.”
Ekron asked over his shoulder, “Did you really babysit Salat?”
“And Dr. Torenne. They were shorter then but still cute, and they stuck to each other like glue.”
“So you have met Salmet.”
“I have met most of your extended family, Ekron, including your father.”
The vehicle swayed and steadied. “How well did you know my father?”
She laughed. “Ask him.”
“That is a very loaded question.”
She chuckled. “I know.”
They arrived at the house and headed in. The neighbours came out to watch, and Alody went inside to pack her clothing and her sewing machine. She loved that machine. Ithal had found it for her at a market.
When her suitcase and backpack were packed, Ekron came up, collected them and the sewing machine case, and walked outside. “So, Ekron, why were you so eager to help?”
“Eskin is a legend. He’s taught some of the capitol’s most successful actives.”
“Oh. Really?”
Eskin was with Ithal, and Sgoth was clearing out the gaming room.
Fifteen minutes after they entered, they had all the essentials for living in the transport, including Alody and Ithal’s favourite mugs. Alody spoke to her neighbours and explained that her adult daughter had just had surgery, and they were staying with her for a while.
Mrs. Hekkerson blinked. “I didn’t know you had an adult daughter, dear. How old are you?”
Alody grinned. “Older than you, Mrs. Hekkerson. Okay, we have to go. We left her recovering with a friend, and we don’t want to be gone when she wakes.”
“Oh, of course. Tell her I wish her a speedy recovery.”
“Of course, thank you.” Alody smiled and got back into the transport with the others as Ekron got them moving again.
They moved through the neighbourhoods and finally returned to the academy lane. They drove up to the house, and Sgoth got out, saying, “Hold my beer.”
His tentacles lashed out, grabbed all the bags and boxes, and walked toward the house. Ithal shouted and ran ahead of him, directing him to put the bags and boxes in specific places.
Eskin held out his arm, and Alody rested her hand on his wrist, and Ekron snickered as they all walked inside.
Alody sighed. “There are more defenders around than I am comfortable with.”
Eskin smiled. “Tough. Do you feel spurred to action?”
“What? No.”
“What do you think about your son’s vision of our future?”
“I think that three years is what will be needed to figure out how to pause my physiology long enough for me to get pregnant. I know Aluhara has suffered the same condition.”
His eyes widened. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
“It hasn’t been an issue for me.”
She closed the door behind them and froze. “But then... how did Diena do it?”
He looked at her. “I think that is definitely a very good question.”
She looked up at him and asked, “Where are you from?”
He grinned. “On official records, Serothoan. In actual records, Renovik.”
“Wow. You folks have infiltrated this part of the world.”
He grinned. “There are so many delightful actives here. The competition of the program, the teams of Aksalla. They hold so much promise, and the training of Renovik is remarkable. Show an activation, hide an activation. All options are open to you.”
She stared at him. “Big talk from a guy who looks like a movie trophy.”
He laughed and pulled her against him. The kiss was slow, and Alody blinked in surprise. When he lifted his head, he smiled softly. “I have wanted to do that for decades.”
She felt Ithal approaching, and when he bent his head, she slammed her palm over his lips. “Then you can wait a little more.”
He paused, and his eyes crinkled at the edges.
Ekron chuckled as he returned to them. Ithal started giggling.
Alody looked at her son. Delight was dancing in his eyes.
Ithal said, “Ekron threatened to unpack your underwear, but Sgoth stopped him.”
Alody was still pinned to Eskin when he flared silver, and the room blazed with light. Ekron held his hands out, palms up. “It was a joke.”
Shocks of lightning zapped Ekron, and he yelped and said, “Sorry, sorry.”
Alody snickered. “Perv. Just like your dad.”
Ekron’s brows rose high. “What?”
“Oh, Iron was known for wandering hands long before he settled down and got your mom pregnant. He also learned that I can break a hand or jaw and sleep like a baby before I heal them.”
Ekron blinked. “Noted. Wait. You broke Iron’s bones?”
“Yup.”
Ekron nodded. “I wish you well in organizing your clothing.”
She smirked. “Good boy. You can learn. I am sure Drin is happy about that.”
He paused and blinked. “You just started broadcasting an aura.”
Alody shrugged. “I do that.”
Ithal explained, “It means she’s mad and looking for something that needs tending to.”
Eskin’s arm tightened. “There is nothing that you need to do right now, Alody.”
She looked at him, and his understanding was there. She smiled. “You always were a quick study.”