"Debatable." But there's warmth in her voice now. The smallest crack in the armor.
I add the spices. Cardamom. Cinnamon. A tiny scraping of nutmeg. Honey that I sourced from a beekeeper three districts over. The whole shop starts to smell like something from a memory I don't actually have but wish I did.
Lacy accepts the cup. Sips carefully.
Her eyes close.
"Oh," she says. Just that. One syllable.
I wait.
"This is really good, Stone."
The way she says my name. Like it's a real thing. A solid thing. Not just a placeholder forthe orc who broke my awning.
I might actually combust from pride.
"We could call it the Winter Market Latte," I suggest. "Or the Cross-Cultural Blend. Or the Please Don't Fire Me Special."
She laughs. That surprised sound again. The one I'm starting to collect like precious things.
"We'll workshop the name," she says.
The small businessnetworking mixer happens on Wednesday.
Darius told me about it. Said it was important for cultural integration. Meeting other business owners. Making connections.
"Bring something to demonstrate your value," he'd advised. "Show what you contribute to the community."
So I bring a net.
It's a good net. Traditional orc fishing net. Hand-knotted. Sturdy. The kind of thing that shows craftsmanship and cultural heritage.
I'm very proud of it.
Lacy stares at me when I arrive at the community center. The net is draped over my shoulder. Properly coiled. Very professional.
"Stone," she says carefully. "Why do you have a net?"
"For networking."
She blinks. "Networking."
"Yes. Darius said to bring something that demonstrates value. This is a traditional orc net. Hand-knotted. Very strong. Good for fishing or carrying heavy loads or demonstratingcultural craftsmanship." I'm explaining this very reasonably. "I thought it would be a good conversation starter."
Someone behind us snorts.
Then someone else.
Then actual laughter ripples through the small crowd of business owners gathered in the community center lobby.
My face heats. That particular orc flush that starts at the collar and works up.
I've made a mistake.
I'm not sure what kind of mistake, but it's clearly a mistake.
Lacy closes her eyes. Takes a breath. When she opens them again, she's not angry.
