Although I had put quite a lot of effort into my outfit, it wasn’t like I was the debutante at a ball. It was a simple, A-line satin dress in a jewel tone, as I had long since noticed my boyfriend liked those hues on me. It was cut low enough on me that I needed a bra, but since it was backless, I was using sticky pads. I’d sent a few prayers to the adhesive gods that it would last through the night.
“I’m sure you look a delight,” Iko said, extending his hand. “Would I be able to see?”
I’d hung out with the cyclops enough to know what he was asking, and I picked up the hem of the skirt and put it into his hand, allowing him to feel the texture and coolness of the fabric.
“It’s an e-e-emerald g-green,” I heard Carolina stammer behind me. “Like a gemstone from a ring. It’s got a deep V-neck, and it’s backless, with little gold chains for the s-s-shoulders.”
If it were any other type of situation, I would have thought my agoraphobic best friend was starting to get overwhelmed.But the expression on her face didn’t convey that at all. Was sheblushing?
“Thank you, my dear. And who is the lovely soul I’m speaking to?” Iko said with a broad smile.
The blush on Carolina’s face grew even more vibrant, and she looked to me with wide eyes, her mouth opening and closing.
“This is my best friend Carolina,” I said quickly,veryinterested in what was happening. “Carolina, this is Rowan’s best friend, Iko.”
“It’s v-very nice to meet you,” Carolina said, holding her hand out for a shake. I made to gently course-correct, but she kept talking. “I’ve extended my arm, and my palm is about your waist level.”
“Well met, Miss Carolina!” Iko said, reaching down and gripping her hand. His grasp completely dwarfed hers, and Carolina’s entire face turned crimson.
Very,veryfascinating.
Rowan and I locked eyes, and we both raised our eyebrows at exactly the same time. I wasn’t going to put too much pressure or weight on anything, but I adored seeing Carolina express any sort of twitterpation in someone live and in person. Especially someone who was such a gentleman.
There was nothing we could do but see where it went. Later, though. Right now, we still had some last-minute things to do. We had to give Iko a tour of the place so he’d know where everything was, then we’d set him up at the door as a greeter, and we had to make sure drinks were put out and iced.
Our remaining timeflewby, and the next thing I knew, guests were arriving. Only five at first, but that was five more than the pessimistic side of me had been expecting. During the first hour, a handful more showed up. Most had RSVP’d, but there were at least three who had decided to come at the last minute, and honestly, that felt like a success.
The craziest thing was howdifferenteveryone was. A mute siren, who was using some sort of talk-to-text machine that she told us she programmed herself as she chatted up Iko. At least another shifter, from what I could make out from their scent. A witch introduced himself to me, thanking me for making such an event since he hadn’t been welcome in any enclave since he lost his ability to cast spells. I didn’t know everyone’s stories, but those I know had me floating on cloud nine as everyone found their spaces.
I meant to sit down and eat, but I ended up grazing as I flitted around, checking in on those who wanted to be social and making sure everyone knew about the landing zone and the quiet room. Rowan, of course, was always in lock-step with me, as charming and welcoming as always. In fact, if he didn’t occasionally hand me things to shove into my mouth and take the lead in conversations, I might not have eaten at all.
It was so wonderful to be taken care of, even in such small ways.
“So, what inspired you to do this?” Daniella, the one who smelled kinda like a shifter, asked me between bites of the oxtail she had on her plate. I had just finished sucking all the juice and marrow of out of one of my own bone pieces, so I had to swallow before I could respond.
“It’s kind of a long story,” I said with a laugh as Rowan gently dabbed at my face with a napkin. “Basically, Rowan—my partner—and Carolina—my best friend—never would have met if we hadn’t gone outside of our little bubbles and made connections. I seriously couldn’t live without them, so when I thought about it, I just… I guess I wanted everyone to have an opportunity to make similar connections. I want people to know that even if you’re in a place where there’s no one who accepts you or values you, that there are a lot of people who will. Sometimes, you just gotta work a little harder to find them.”
“I love that.” Daniella beamed. “I thought things would be different when I moved here a couple years ago, but I’ve had the hardest time making any connections. Sometimes it feels like I’m speaking a different language than other shifters.”
Aha! I was probably right about her being a latent shifter then. Of course, I couldn’t help but wonder what kind, but that wasn’t really important. “I know exactly what you mean. Do you happen to have a pet?”
She quirked an eyebrow. “Two dogs, a cat, and a bearded dragon. Why?”
“I happen to run my own dog-walking business, so if you ever want a walk buddy and head to the dog park with me, I’d love to show you around and introduce you to some other great people.”
“Honestly, I wouldlovethat. Here, let me give you my number.”
Success. Stone-cold success that made me allwarm and fuzzy inside. Even if Daniella and I didn’t become thick as thieves, we could still be there for each other in times of need. And that wassoimportant when one was used to being completely on your own.
We did indeed swap numbers, with Rowan giving his as well after she mentioned the opera off-handedly. I was grinning like an absolute dork, but I didn’tcare.If there was ever a time to be drunk on success, this was it.
I really couldn’t believe how amazing the mixer was going, and that sense of wonder only increased when the DJ called out that it was time for those who wanted to move to get on the dance floor. Rowan and I exchanged a look, and then we were boogying on down to where the boogie went down.
It wasn’t the slow or sensual magic of our first jazzy dance, but that was fine. We enjoyed the synth-pop mix, as did the several people who joined in.
We were all strangers, but it didn’t feel like that at all. Sure, there were some nervous Nellies and more withdrawn folks. Still, everyone was together.Whether we were eating, reading in a corner, in the landing area, or dancing, everyone was connected andwelcome.No one wastooanything, no one wasn’t enough of anything. We all just were.
And that was wonderful.
