“Sweat.”
Jenaki snorted.“She isn’t wrong.That is the traditional application.The gauze goes on over sweaty skin.That’s my job.”
Diena glared at him.“Self-designated consort?”
He grinned.“Absolutely.There was a vacancy, and I stepped in.”
Diena looked at him.“Let’s go test out that range.I am getting the urge to shoot you.”
Jenaki laughed.“Okay.Let’s see you in action.”
They left the admin offices with Kritz fanatically holding the minerals.Diena just hoped he didn’t name them.That would be creepy.
Diena was wearing one splat of paint, but Jenaki was wearing a tight grouping after their short but intense paint fight.
He grinned.“I expected nothing less.”
Their weapons were dead, and they walked back to the change rooms.When they got back to the lobby, Alody and Eskin were there.Alody grinned.“Still a sharpshooter?”
Diena shrugged.“I got it from you, Mom.”
Alody grinned.“I thought that stance was familiar.”
She laughed.“So do you have academic employment?”
“I do.Dental and everything.Thank you for buying that house.I love a short walk to work.”
Diena grinned.“It is an excellent home base.I am thinking I may have to start opening Khaskik up to let folks return if they want to.Avik has cleaned all traces of the incursion, and the city is ready for inhabitants if anyone wishes to return.”
Jenaki smiled.“There are eight hundred folk in Renovik who would enjoy the chance to try.”
“Good.We have set up—interesting—defense methods.The world changed, and the hidden city didn’t, so it has been updated for the modern era.Its people will be up and running with practice and defenses.We will be defenseless no more.”
Jenaki wrapped his arms around her.“You are restarting the library?”
“Yup.”
“And the research centre?”
“And the training grounds and the ping pong team.All of it.”
Jenaki laughed and hugged her.
They returned to the food court, and Ithal and Vaken said, “Maiette came in.Can we go see her?”
Alody smiled.“I will go with them.You take a load off.That jump and roll must have taken it out of you.”
Diena sighed in relief.“Please.Kids are exhausting.”
“You came to it cold.It’s a workout that starts when they are portable.”Alody grinned.“I will give you some pointers.”She got up and headed over with the kids.There was squealing and excited chatter, including the introduction of Kessie to their group.
Diena sat, and Jenaki went to get her some more sugar.
Sorooth went with Alody, and Keska was grinning.“So one day and you are wiped out?”
“I did have a baby less than thirty-six hours ago.My body is the right shape, but my balance is everywhere.”
“I would not have guessed by your movements in the course.”
