Page 20 of It Varies
Jennika was going to speak, but the chime rang to start the artists.She whipped around and watched Emhara with some charcoal, roughing out two figures.
Jennika smiled.“The suspense is killing me.”
The artists were at work, and the food trucks were open for business.Jenn was unsurprised when she was lifted and settled on Xiroth’s lap.He kissed her temple and pressed his hand to her belly.The baby started kicking hard.
The pixies were staring at her.She looked at them and sighed.“Yes, you can feel him kick.”
They shifted close, one by one.The huge hands felt the baby greeting them, and the guys all grinned, one by one.They all said the same thing.“Thank you, little mother.”
She snorted.“Not that little?”
Without turning, Vine said, “They each outweigh you by a hundred pounds.And are at least a foot taller.You are little.”
The odd elf moved to sit next to Vine.Ivy was on her other side, so she was pinned.
Jennika watched the male lean in to speak to her, and she hoped that this wouldn’t end in disaster.
* * * *
Kazuya sat next toVine, and she knew what he was going to ask.
“How long have you been hoarse?”He asked it coolly, like he was getting stats to work on
“Fifteen years.It isn’t hoarse; it’s the only voice I have left.”She kept her tone low.
“I have a spa and treatment centre where you could come in for assessment.”
“I have been.It wasn’t particularly useful.”
He paused.“What?”
“I went in five months ago and was told that my appointment with you had been cancelled.There was a hotter, younger woman waiting to see you.So, I went to the spa, had a hot soak, and went home.Nice hot tubs, by the way.”
He frowned.“A hot soak wouldn’t help your throat.”
“No.It wouldn’t.”
“What other difficulties do you have?”
“Look, I know that Xiroth asked you to be here.He was mad enough that he might have cursed you out, but I don’t want to do this here.I don’t want to do this ever again.I worked up the nerve for it once, and I haven’t gotten the nerve back.”
“I can help.”
“You probably can, but I can’t accept the help.”She looked at him, and for a heartbeat, she dropped her glamour.She reset her awkward beta appearance and looked over at the food trucks.“You came today, and I thank you for trying, but I am tired.Very tired.”
She patted Ivy and asked, “Did you want anything?”
“Fries and BBQ.”
She looked to Sable.“Meaty meat with extra meat?”
“You know me so well.”
Vine got up, inclined her head toward the elf healer, and walked slowly through the aisles and over to the food trucks.She paid the deposit for a tray, as this was going to be a long event, then ordered food and beverages for her friends and loaded them onto the tray.She tapped her earring and said, “Ivy.Ready for incoming?”
“Ready.”
The tray and cargo disappeared and reappeared on the long bench.She slowly walked back to her seat.Walking frequently was part of controlling the pain.She needed to move around at least once an hour.Going for food or drink or helping Jennika to the bathroom was part of keeping the agony under control.
