STORIES
367 - The Odds
Daprima Lu Tahariel Jesse
2025
Thursday …
DAPRIMA:
… I didn’t know you were in the Elvin realm.
LU:
I was there for a week. I only returned last night.
LU:
… I needed to check on my ward, Herita.
DAPRIMA:
How is she?
LU
She’s seems to be improving. Although,
I tend to be overly cautious when to comes to her.
DAPRIMA:
That’s understandable. Do you think she’s ready for a
visit from her twin? I know Cammeo misses her …
LU:
I’d feel better if we waited a few more months.
DAPRIMA:
This summer Fin and I are going to visit his grandparents.
We plan to make it a family trip. I’d love for Cammeo joined us.
I’d be happy to go with her to the Tower of Wellness.
LU:
That would work.
DAPRIMA:
Good, having her with us will make Mez happy, and I’m sure
he’ll want to be with her when she sees her sister.
LU:
That’s understandable. While you’re there, you
could do your own reading on Herita.
DAPRIMA:
My thoughts exactly.
LU:
It would do the twins good to spend time together. Herita
admitted to missing some of us, you know how she is.
She said she wants to remain there permanently.
DAPRIMA:
At the Tower of Wellness?
LU:
Yes. She’s become quite the gardener. She’s really made
a place for herself among the priestesses.
DAPRIMA:
Imagine that.
DAPRIMA:
… Speaking of the Elvin realm - I want to thank
you for suggesting Io work for your father there.
DAPRIMA:
… He loves his job and is so happy.
LU:
Daddy’s glad to have the help, although Xya wouldn’t agree.
DAPRIMA:
Xyla?
LU:
Daddy’s ward.
DAPRIMA:
Ah the dragon. Sorry, is that supposed to be a secret?
LU:
Yes, but not a strict one. How did you …?
DAPRIMA:
I’ve been working on my scrying and I’ve seen her in my
visions. I’ve also felt her presence. I know she’s been
here and never enters through the front door.
LU:
She pops in to complain daddy’s distracted by Io
and not working enough to suit her.
DAPRIMA:
I think Io’s very smitten with Trey.
LU:
The feeling’s mutual, but they’re not just dating.
Daddy said Io’s a great assistant.
DAPRIMA:
I’m glad to hear it. Grace invited Io to her birthday party.
He’ll be coming home for a visit soon.
Later in the kitchen …
Then …
TAHARIEL:
Hi Aunt Lu.
LU:
Did you have fun horseback riding with Jesse?
TAHARIEL:
Yeah, how’d you know?
LU:
I saw you from the window.
TAHARIEL:
Dang, I guess Jesse’s right. He said we’re living
under a microscope. Everyone’s watching us.
LU:
Correction, everyone’s watching him.
Tahariel, he has a history of being unfaithful.
TAHARIEL:
Oh not you too! I’ll have you know he told me all
about his past. He even mentioned his … encounters
with Es and Io. People can change - ya know.
LU:
Shall I give you the odds on that?
TAHARIEL:
No, and stop calculating. I can tell you’re doing the math
in your head right now. You know what's really interesting
to me? No one’s concerned that I will cheat on him.
LU:
Shall I give you the odds on that?
TAHARIEL:
Oh stop. I appreciate your concern Auntie, but it’s not
necessary. You’ll just have to find a way to like him, for me.
LU:
Well, he is very good with his sister, Neve,
and I enjoy his macaroni and cheese very much.
TAHARIEL:
There ya go.
