Activity

While Janner disagreed with Larnik about how Larnik was treating his sister, Kalmar started to sniff deeply, but instantly stopped, his face burning red. Even if he was a human boy again, some habits were hard to break.

With a side-ways glance at his brother, Kalmar slunk off towards the desserts table, where the wedding cake patiently waited to be cut. Everyone was still sweeping back and forth on the dance floor, so it was forgotten. He edged nearer to the towering cake and eyed its flowery frosting, wondering what flavor it was.  Nobody would notice if he swiped a little glob…

Just as he was stretching his finger out, a soft, reprimanding voice said from behind him, “What are you doing, Kal?”

Kalmar guiltily whirled around, finger still in mid-air. “Just examining the… quality of the cake, Leeli,” he explained innocently, looking at his little sister.

She giggled. “Come on, Kal! Can’t you wait until the cake’s been cut?” she asked in a teasing voice. “Then you can enjoy as much cake as will fit into you.”

Kalmar grinned. “That would be the whole thing!”

“Kalmar! Leeli!” Nia’s voice rang across to their ears.

Kalmar hurried over to his mother, Leeli hot on his heels. “Yes, Mama?”

“Why don’ t you play with your brother until it’s time for cake?” she asked, and from the gleam in her eyes, Kalmar knew she had seen him prowling near the desserts. But instead of looking angry, her expression was one of mixed amusement and loving annoyance.

“Yes, Mama,” Kalmar said. He called to Leeli, and the two raced off together, searching for Janner while half-playing some sort of version of tag.

But as they skirted around the dance floor, they passed Artham and Arundelle, who were dancing together.

“…We’re going to have a child,” Arundelle was telling Kalmar’s uncle.

As if  about to run into a brick wall, Kalmar skidded to a stop and stared at them. “Leeli,” he whispered, “I think we’re about to have a cousin!”

****

@arindown Are you still with us? Are you still Leeli? If so, you wanted her to have no crutch, right?

Tagging either Arindown or @joelle-stone (For the Arundelle gig, like she could see them right there)