“Don’t worry, we like him now.” Ren grins.
“Ah.” Colson’s lips twitch.
“Sup.” Byron looks like he’s sizing them up because heisa little jealous, and it’s adorable.
“Charmed.” Trevel nods. “Whatever they told you, I’m sure it’s only partially true.”
The twins chuckle.
“And this is—” Ren goes to introduce Felix, but I jab with my elbow before he can. “Ouch! Jesus…” he whines.
“This is… Norman,” I stammer, immediately regretting that choice of fake name.
“Really??” Ren cackles. “Norman?!”
“I panicked!” I mumble through laughter. “Sorry…”
“I’m not worried about it,” Felix giggles, waving at the twins. “I’m Felix. This is my fiancé, Lemuel.” Lem waves as well, though somehow still aloof and doctor-like.
“And this is my fiancé.” Dash pulls Kemper over. “Kellan.”
Bestie obsessed with letting everyone know he’s locking that down.
“Where’s Velle?” I look around.
“Probably dealing with Joy’s dad,” Dash hums in amusement.
“Yea, you guys showed up at literally the craziest time.” Ren tells them. “You’re actually nuts for showing up here. It was an active war zone not twelve hours ago…”
They look nervous.
“It’s okay now, though,” Dash assures. “Sort of…”
“Why don’t we get out of the cold and show you guys around?” Kemper suggests. “We can get some food, or something to drink and give you the Alabaster Isle rundown.”
Tauren is visibly wary, but the twins are more excited than they are cautious, nodding and following us inside.
“Are you sure it’s safe for us to be here?” He asks me and Ren while we take the stairs down to the third-floor landing. “We saw some scary-looking shit on our way in…”
“Really?” Ren plays dumb, peeking at me. “Like what?”
“War zone stuff. Wreckage, scorched earth… a bunch of soldiers loading crates of guns onto a ferry…”
“And bodies,” Colson adds.
“Yes…” Tauren gulps tensely. “More than a few dead bodies.”
“Caught quite the glimpse, didn’t you?” Ren rumbles.
“We’ll explain everything, but basically the war is over and we won,” I chirp.
The official statement of the day, so we’ll go with that.
On our way past The Ivory’s room, I peek inside, slowing when I see that he and Angel are in there… packing their things.
We all share a look.
“Oh… hello.” Ivory’s head tilts. “Who’s this?”
