In fact, I would say I liked it.
We walked around the sizeable campground. The trees towered above our heads, the first leaves of spring on their relatively sparse branches, but there were several clear areas where things were already set up. I saw a grilling area, a play area, and in the distance, four porta potties.
“Now there is an actual building on the very opposite side of this campground,” Ben said as we returned to the main area. “But trust me, you don’t want to go there unless you’re desperate. And I meanreallydesperate.”
“Why? Is it, like, haunted or something? On the edge of some other pack’s territory?”
“No, nothing like that. The campground staff only cleans once a month, so it’s filled with cobwebs, critters, and whatever else you can imagine.”
“Noted.”
Bathroom talk aside, the walk was lovely and with no interruptions, not even from Benny. Granted, Veronica did occasionally weigh in. Ben led me to our chairs, which had been set up under a weeping willow. Some of the tree’s branches had been artfully draped over a thick pergola to make a fantasy-coded entrance. It was only a bit past eleven, so there weren’t a ton of people around, but it wasn’t a ghost town. From what Ben had told me, the place would be pumping by the afternoon.
I couldn’t imagine being around so many shifters at once—and all different species—but I figured I would find out soonenough, so I wasn’t too worried. I was also hoping that the host of people would prevent me from getting too far into my head about this being a significant event for Ben and me to attend together. Not only was I a human about to be introduced to the strange and magical world Ben belonged to, but that introduction was being made while we were dating.
Whew.
No one really approached us at first. Everyone was setting up their own little areas or helping with a series of long picnic tables that were set up under a beat-up tin pavilion. I couldn’t smell charcoal or carbon that came from grilling, so I guessed it was mostly appetizers and snacks.
I hoped they had deviled eggs and spam musubi. I’d had that second dish once at a culture festival at college and I’d been addicted ever since but I had no idea how to make it or where to buy it. Apparently, it was kind of a Hawaiian thing? Who knew?
Eventually, a smaller, Asian woman tottered up, two younger folks on either side of her.
“You made it,” she said, her tone very pleased even if she didn’t really smile. “Good to see you, Poynter.”
“Thank you for inviting me, Mrs. Hayashi.”
The woman waved her hand, as if no thanks were needed. “And who is your companion here?”
“Giselle,” I said quickly, standing and offering my hand. The woman looked at my bony fingers as if she was deciding whether she was offended or not before her eyes locked with mine.
“Human?”
Uh-oh. Ben had said it was okay, but her tone was making it seem like it wasn’t. I supposed I just had to trust him. “Almost. I’m a teacher.”
Thatdidactually make her smile, and the corners of her eyes crinkled so much they weren’t quite crow’s feet as they were an entire crow’s accordion.
“I like you,” she said, taking my hand. “Poynter, can I steal her? There are introductions to be made.”
Steal me? That was certainly a choice of vocabulary.
“Ask her,” Ben said, although he did sound amused. “She knows better than anyone.”
“I see.” The woman looked at me with her slightly milky but keen eyes. “Keep an old woman company and meet some new people?”
“I’d love to. Ben already took me on a tour, but I bet yours will be better.” I winked at him, and he made a dramatic gesture with his hand over his heart.
“Hey, why am I the one catching strays here?”
But Mrs. Hayashi continued on like he hadn’t even spoken. She had that old-person habit of deciding exactly what conversation they wanted to have and not suffering any sort of sidebars or non sequiturs.
“It will be. Come, come.”
And so, I did. I mostly expected a rehashing of what Ben had shown me, but it wasn’t like that at all. First, she took me to the little area her pack had set up, with fancy lounging chairs, a portable grill, and several umbrellas displayed like it was the beach. A bit overkill considering the sun couldn’t really make it through the canopy, but a lot of eastern cultures took sun safety very seriously.
There were only six or so people present, and I was quickly introduced to all of them. Most just gave a friendly hello, but two asked me where I was from and how I got involved with the shifter world. Before the conversation could meander, Mrs. Hayashi was leading me to yet another area.
I was glad my social battery was fully charged because this was going to be a long day.
