Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
“Don’t forget.” The diner man smiled but did not seem to trust my memory of the social rules. “You have to say congratulations and then you’re allowed to point out how rude it was to get married without us.”
I did not understand how I became us so easily but I nodded. “I remember.”
“Where’s your friend?” We’d stayed hidden until there were enough new individuals for us to blend in with, but that meant the locals had decided we were part of one of the visiting councils. They had also decided we were from what they were terming a small town.
It seemed to have negative feelings associated with the term, but I may have been reading their facial expressions and exchanged looks incorrectly. I thought we were currently in a small town based on its size, so I knew context was missing.
“He is unable to attend but sends his regards.” I needed to learn the polite way to explain he was being frustrating, but my vocabulary was not that extensive nor were my social manners.
It seemed like some humans were too polite and I didn’t have the correct way to explain Klynn. Some humans were also very curious and I did not have a way to explain it to them either. But pleasant conversation and looking confused helped smooth over many issues, unlike home.
“We’ll make sure you get cake to take back to him.” Several of the men patted my arms and frowned but it was another man who sighed and continued to plan for my departure. “Sometimes they’re emotional. Don’t worry. You don’t want him being naughty in public, so it was probably a good idea.”
Oh.
Nodding without giving a verbal response got me past the confusing moment but I had no idea what he thought Klynn was doing.
Naughty?
My only association with that word was based on small children misbehaving, and while that did seem to go along with Klynn’s behavior, that could not be what the men meant.
I was saved from having to answer any questions, however, by the rushed announcement that the guests were quickly incoming and we were all hurried into the social building. Which was filled with dragons, mages, humans and…humans in costumes…
It was best that I had not brought Klynn.
He would not have been able to keep his thoughts to himself and I could not predict if he would find the costumed humans frightening or pleasant. I wasn’t sure how I found the costumed humans even after much mental debate, so staying well away from the all-white individuals who were throwing balls and performing some kinds of rituals seemed intelligent.
No.
Smart.
It seemed smart.
However, I was not the only one who found them confusing based on the expressions that were being shown and the way many in the room avoided the actors or possibly religious observers.
Yes, actors seemed to be the right word, although humans had many words for dramatic individuals who performed curious behaviors that could be religious.
How they decided which to praise and which to condemn was not immediately understandable, unfortunately.
My position beside what might be termed a toy shelf provided me with a good view and I was able to perform a small spell to isolate conversations without it being overwhelming.
No, I’m pretty sure someone fucked up with the clowns. I don’t know what they were thinking but this can’t be normal even for the locals.
Curious.
Oh wow, he’s hot.
Was someone of extensive temperature? Was that safe?
You need to figure out if this is a birthday, wedding celebration, or birth announcement because they’re two men and I didn’t think we could do that with humans.
Oh.
Could we do that with humans?
Mate or just bad decision hottie?
How were those options for the same person?
Just remember that sentiment when the men at the diner are asking you if you’re Team Pony or Team Binkie.
Finally, someone helpful.
The two men were engaged in a quiet conversation with an excited tone, and continually looked around as if searching for someone or something.
They’re very curious. They didn’t like being told it was none of their business either. They need a more productive hobby than guessing everyone’s kinks. They also don’t hear the word no nearly often enough.
I had to agree with the firm-looking dragon, even though I did not have enough context for much of what he was saying.
His smiling…mate possibly…seemed very pleased with the conversation.
Um. That’s because they weren’t taught to stop with the word no.
No did not stop a conversation?
How was it a complete sentence then?
Do not tell me the town’s busybodies have a safeword. I refuse to hear it.
The frowning dragon may not have wanted to hear it, but I needed more information if a safeword was related to being Team Binkie or what the men in the diner were talking about.
Unfortunately, the rest of their conversation did not define important terms and just added more confusion about safewords and toys for the Team Binkie members. I would have appreciated knowing if I was supposed to be providing toys for Klynn but that wasn’t explained either.