I AM IZBA
“This is Seymour,” Neil explained to the man, gesturing toward Seymour. “The one I was telling you about.”
“Ah, yeah.” The man peered curiously at Seymour. “Clancy’s kid.”
Seymour flinched but he still smiled, offering out his hand. “Yup, that’s me. Seymour Madison.”
The man shook Seymour’s hand. “Shiloh Ricci.”
“He’s the owner and my uncle.” Neil smirked. “So, technically, it’s his fault I got?—”
The menu clacked angrily.
NO ONE OWNS ME
I AM MY OWN FLOWER SHOP THANK YOU
“That’s right, Izzy.” Shiloh smiled and gave the counter an affectionate pat.
There was a softprrrp, and Seymour saw Buffy the eldritch cat slinking toward them.
Seymour smiled as Buffy rubbed up against his leg. “Hey there, kitty cat.”
“She’s a sweetie.” Neil chuckled.
“She really left the Reliquary for you, huh?”
“Yup. Sure did.” Neil wiggled his bracelet.
“She was able to do that? Wow.” Day meowed and hopped down, gazing over Buffy in wonder.
Buffy mewed in reply and stood up on her hinds legs, mimicking Day.
They touched noses and Day laughed while Buffy made a soft, chuffing sound that might have been her own giggle.
There was definitely a collectiveaw.
And of course, some noisy clacking.
I AM ALSO CUTE
I AM ADORABLE IN FACT
MANY PEOPLE SAY SO
“Yes, you are,” Shiloh said sweetly and only a little patronizing.
“So, hey. Not to be a downer or whatever, but Lou told me what happened.” Neil’s brow wrinkled. “You guys okay? Really?”
“Yeah, great.” Seymour snorted. “Killed a troll, gotta take the Faerie king to fuckin’ Wendy’s for the rest of eternity, met some magical lady who said I’m gonna die?—”
“What?”
Seymour recounted the details of their recent adventures, finally concluding with a grim smile, “So, as you can see, we’ve been having just the fuckin’ best time you can imagine and now it kinda seems like we need to figure out how to get into Faerie on our own.”
“Well.” Shiloh pulled out a flask to add to his coffee. He dumped its contents all in. “I’d say that is all a heaping helping of pretty damn fucked up.” He slurped noisily. “Like, wow.”
“Do you know that Marsha girl?” Neil asked him. “You shop over at Anna’s, right?”
