Chapter Twelve #3
Smiling Genevieve turned to Keran and Nicol. “What would you two like?”
Keran thought it over. “Loaded fries.”
Meryn looked up from her laptop. “Smart nugget.”
“And sliced cucumber,” Nicol added.
“Balanced, I like it,” Genevieve said, then began pulling bags of pre-made and frozen fries from the freezer.
Kiera sat down at the counter next to Meryn, Pip on Meryn’s other side as usual. When she looked down at her laptop, her mouth dropped open. “Why are you watching her?” Meryn, for some reason, was watching a livestream that Chloe was currently doing.
“She’s interesting,” Meryn said, turning up the volume.
“As a strong, independent woman, I have come to realize that finding the right partner is crucial. That is why I feel blessed that my parents watch over me and help me navigate the treacherous minefield that is dating nowadays.”
Meryn muted her again. “She has this way of saying two completely opposite things, creating two different images and she sells them both. Like, she said she’s strong and independent, right?
The comment section went wild with stuff like ‘Girl Boss’ and ‘Girl Power’, but then she says a partner is crucial and her parents are helping her.
Then the tags changed to ‘Equal Partners’ and ‘Dutiful Daughter’. It’s fascinating.”
Augustus stared. “You’ve never seen social manipulation before?”
Meryn shook her head. “I’m not really on socials. What does it mean give a gift?”
“It’s a way to support the streamer. Those gifts are basically money,” Augustus explained.
Meryn looked up. “Are you shitting me? She’s getting paid for this?”
Konstantine, reached past Genevieve to grab a slice of cucumber. “Having a social media presence is very lucrative these days.”
Meryn’s eyes narrowed. “How lucrative?”
Aiden went to shut her laptop and was blocked by Meryn. “You, under absolutely no circumstances are allowed to stream anything, ever.” He looked down at his mate, zero compromise in his eyes.
“Rude.”
“Meryn, you have more than half the paranormal population thinking you might be a lesbian based on accidental posts on Facebook. I shudder to imagine what you would do live,” Aiden pointed out.
Nigel blinked. “She’d probably forget it was on and your naked butt would end up everywhere.”
Aiden pointed to Nigel. “See! He knows you.”
Meryn sulked, then smiled deviously. “How much would that bring in?”
“No!” Aiden shouted.
Keran and Nicol were giggling at the table. Myra and Johann shook their heads, smiles on their faces. Myra wiped her eyes. “Tabitha owes me. She never said how wonderful Meryn was.”
Meryn pulled her laptop closer. “I think this has a camera.”
Aiden turned an unhealthy shade of red.
“Denka, I would advise against it,” Ryuu said, setting a small bowl of chips next to her. “You of all people know how dangerous it could be if your location was leaked.”
Meryn froze, then went back to her laptop. She tapped for a bit, then sat back. “I can’t tell if Chloe is dumb or if her instances of being smart is some innate survival skill.”
“Why?” Augustus asked.
“Her livestream isn’t traceable.” She tried a few more things. “I mean, I know I could do that. I wonder who set her up,” Meryn mused aloud.
“You’re not the only tech guru in the world Meryn,” Caiden said, placing a huge platter of cleaned vegetables on the counter.
“Blasphemy against Merytopia!” Meryn crowed.
“Blasphemer! Blasphemer!” Nigel, Neil and Pip, said in monotone voices, their hands clasped against their chests.
At the table behind them Keran and Nicol mimicked them. “Blasphemer!”
Caiden pointed. “Look what you did.”
Meryn waved a hand behind her toward the kids. Ryuu went to the pantry and retrieved a box. He walked over to the table and opened it between Keran and Nicol.
“New worshipers get cookies,” Meryn said.
“All hail Merytopia!” Nigel said.
“All hail Merytopia,” Neil and Pip responded.
“Merytopia!” Nicol said, her mouth full of cookie.
Aiden looked around the kitchen. “We have an entire second generation coming,” he whimpered. “I don’t think there’s enough Blessed Chamomile in the world for this.”
Johann clapped him on the back. “Each generation thinks they have it the worst when it comes to raising cubs. Somehow, we all survive.”
“Princess Auntie, are we Merytopia now?” Keran asked.
“You are the newest acolytes to discover worship in the empire of Merytopia,” Meryn answered.
“What do we have to do?” Nicol asked.
“Eat cookies, snacks, and when you’re older, drink coffee,” Meryn explained.
“That sounds fun!” Keran took another bite of his cookie.
Kiera took Hunter’s hand. Today was their first official day as a family. In such a short time, the kids morphed from frightened pale versions of themselves, to the spunky troublemakers they were meant to be.
Hunter leaned down. “Happy?”
“Very. You?”
Hunter looked at Nicol and Keran chanting Merytopia and Aiden trying to take Meryn’s laptop. “I don’t think I’ve ever been happier in my life.”
“That’s what it’s all about,” Myra said, watching the children. “That’s what it’s all about.”