It was three days before the old crew—minus Fennus—arrived at the shop. In the late afternoon, Roon was the first to duck inside the door. He raised his eyebrows at Viv behind the coffee maker and gave the busy interior a considering glance. Gallina stepped out from behind him, where she’d been hidden by his bulk, goggles up in her spiky hair, a wide grin splitting her face. Taivus slipped gracefully in after and inclined his head.
“Evenin’, Viv,” said Roon.
“Closing a little early, folks,” hollered Viv. Boisterous complaints answered back.
Tandri gave her a startled glance, saw her expression, and then noted Roon and the other new arrivals. “All friends of yours?”
“Old friends,” said Viv, cocking a thumb at the sword behind her.
“Is thatBlackblood?” exclaimed Gallina, with a high laugh. “She looks like a Solstice wreath!”
“That’s her,” said Viv, with a smile. “Give me a few minutes to empty the place.”
* * *
It took longerthan she’d have liked to encourage the last of the diners out the door, and Viv wished—not for the first time—that she had some way to let customers take their drinks with them.Ah well. A problem for another time.
She sent Thimble on his way, but when she opened her mouth to speak to Tandri, the succubus held up a hand, her tail lashing sharply behind her. “I’m staying.”
Viv thought about that for a moment, then nodded and said, “All right.”
* * *
They saton the benches at the big communal table. Tandri brewed coffees, and Viv set out a plate of cinnamon rolls and Thimblets.
“Thanks for coming,” said Viv, when they were all seated and served. She toyed with the mug in front of her. “And I guess, first things first, this is Tandri. She’s my… co-worker. Tandri, you know Roon. This is Gallina, and Taivus.” She gestured to each in turn.
“Twice charmed,” said Roon around an enormous bite of cinnamon roll.
“A succubus, huh?” said Gallina, her chin propped on her hand.
Viv saw Tandri stiffen.
The little gnome must have, as well. “Nah, I don’t mean anything by it, sweetie. Long as you don’t askmetoinventanything. Pleased to meetcha. Love the look.” The gnome waved tiny fingers at Tandri’s sweater.
“Gallina tends more to, uh, wet-work,” said Viv.
“Idolike knives.” Gallina produced one from nowhere to trim her nails.
Taivus nodded solemnly at Tandri and nibbled at the edge of a Thimblet. The stone-fey was as taciturn as ever, his watchful face framed in white hair.
“Nice to meet you all,” said Tandri. She took a quick sip of her drink, and Viv could swear she was nervous.
Roon set his matching Blink Stone on the table between them as he polished off his roll and reached for a Thimblet. “So. Seein’ the place, an’ tastin’ these, I’m inclined to think you didn’t send for us because you’re hopin’ to sleep rough an’ crush skulls again.”
“You got me there,” said Viv. “No, I’m not coming back.” She stared at Gallina thoughtfully. “Before I get into that, though, I owe you an apology. All of you. I’m not proud of the way I left. You deserved better from me, after all those years. I was just afraid–”
“We know,” said Gallina. “Roon told us.” She squinted at Viv. “I was a little pissed, I don’t mind sayin’. But… this isnice.” She gestured expansively at the shop. “Happy for you, Viv.”
“I didn’t mind,” said Taivus in a quiet voice, because if anyone understood avoiding a difficult conversation—or, indeed,anyconversation—it was the stone-fey.
“Well, now that’s out o’ the way, let’s get down to it,” said Roon, with a big grin. “We’re folk o’ action, hey? Unless you just wanted to feed us. An’ if that was the case, can’t say as I’d complain.” He started in on his second roll.
Viv took a big breath and sighed it out. “So… things are going well.Reallywell, better than I could’ve hoped. But. There’s a local…element, that I need to deal with.”
Taivus looked suddenly interested, and Gallina stood up on the bench and planted both hands on the table to get a better eyeline. “And you haven’t sent ’em off with broken bones and better manners, yet?”
“Well, no, not so far.”
