“Experience,” said Mini. “I’m used to calling companies to get answers. I don’t trust the safety advisories on products.”
“Ah, that makes a lot of sense now,” said Brynne.
Aru bit back a laugh as they followed Aiden down the hallway to the fountain.
“So…how’s this going to work?” Aru asked him. “Are we going to be like,Hey, give us a blessing, or do we have to make a blessing reservation with Menaka?”
Even though she was still mad at Aiden, Aru just wanted him to crack a smile. But he was lost in his thoughts.
Don’t take it personally, said Brynne through the mind link.When his parents split up and his mom was having a rough time, he kept trying to get ahold of her apsara family members. But no matter what he did, they wouldn’t answer.
Yikes, thought Aru.
That’s so cruel, said Mini.Poor Wifey….
Aiden walked past the pretty reflecting pools holding white and pink lotus blossoms and went straight to the Fountain of Compliments. Aru didn’t think it looked very impressive. It was about ten feet high and carved out of marble. A stream of water gently arced from its plain spout and splashed into a circular basin.
Aiden had only just sat down on the edge of the fountain when the water began to froth.
“Hello!” said the fountain.
“Gods, not again,” said Aiden, dropping his face into his hands.
“My, you aregorgeous!” said the fountain. “It’s so wise of you to come to our spa to take care of your mental and emotional needs. Treat yo’self, am I right?”
Aiden looked at the fountain warily.
Rudy stepped up and peered into the water.
“Gosh, Ilovethat outfit on you!” said the fountain.
“Really?” said Rudy, plucking at his shirt. “I was kinda on the fence about it….”
“Oh no, you definitely pull it off.”
Aiden pushed himself off the fountain’s edge and went to stand by the wall.
Aru didn’t know why he was so annoyed. After all the yelling and shouting and other awfulness they’d experienced on this quest, who couldn’t use a compliment to perk up their spirits?
Brynne approached the fountain next.
“You’re so strong!” said the fountain. “I admire that. I bet people look up to you all the time.”
Brynne grinned and stood a little straighter.
Mini joined her.
“I love those glasses on you—so chic.”
Mini touched her frames self-consciously, a small smile on her face.
OKAY, MY TURN, thought Aru as she strolled up to the fountain’s edge. She waited expectantly, but the fountain only gurgled a bit.
“Oh, wow,” it finally said. “You’re reallybrave…to wear those clothes!”
Okay, that was technically a compliment.
“That’s it?” she said.
