Nelith nodded.“Can I have a hug there?”
“Yes, of course.I am just grimy from the workshop.I didn’t want to get you dirty.I will change when we get back to the house.”
Nelith nodded.“We will see you there.”
Jienne smiled and waved.
Kessie took her hand, and they left the restaurant with staff calling out as they exited.
Upon seeing the car, Kessie said, “How fast can we go without getting in trouble?”
“We will save the racetrack for another day.Today, we are getting you to my house safely.”She opened the door for Kessie and made sure she was fastened in before she walked around and buckled in.“That being said, I do know streets with higher speeds.”
She started the engine, and Kessie grinned at the sound.Keska laughed.“Definitely my kid, little one.”
“You made me.You have to deal with me.”Kessie chuckled.
They saw the others leaving the restaurant, and Kessie waved while Keska kept her hands on the wheel.Safety first today.
They get home in twelve minutes, and Caska and Avagail are waiting for them with open arms.Nigel was watching Kessie get out of the car with his tail wagging.
Hugs began all around, and Keska saw Zera’s vehicle still parked.The consortium was gone, but Zera and Torun were still on site.
Keska headed inside to change, and once she had her clean clothes on, she wandered downstairs, nervously assembling tiny drones with her fingertips.She walked into the living room, and Zera was there looking over some tablets.
“Hey, Zera.Company’s coming.”
Torun looked up from his own tablets.“Who?”
“Khytten, Salat, Nelith, Dmitri, and Sorooth.Oh, and Jienne.”
“Right.Sorooth is going to instruct her?”
“Yup.He’s going to be teaching at the academy.”
Torun smiled.“You look very pretty.”
“Thank you.”
Zera nodded.“You can still come back to the BDC.”
“Oh, I lookthatgood.”
Torun grinned and nodded.
Zera snorted but shrugged.“Yes.Absolutely.”
“It’s just a sundress.You folks have low standards.”
She heard a laughing shriek and darted to the front door, where Nigel was nuzzling Kessie and talking to her quietly.
“Mama, Nigel says he can take me for a ride around the yard.Can I go?”
Nigel chuckled.“She’s the perfect size and able to carry on a good conversation at the same time.”
“Fine.No speeding.Keep an ear out for any discomfort, and watch for if she starts slipping off.One bruise on her, and I start shaving you.”
Nigel chuckled.“Yes, ma’am.”
