Chương 23: Episode Two Hundred and Sixty-Seven: It’s a date

"When are you available to do the Bazaar?" I asked, smiling down at the Cat. He snuggled into my lap with a contentment-cloud around him.

"I need a few days, not too long," he replied, in a sleepy voice. I let him drift off to dreamland. It was clear he needed the rest. Knowing the Cat, he hadn't gotten any sleep since he'd returned to his lands and had been going nonstop. Next steps echoed in my mind. I needed to talk to Lady Twilight, figure out how to create a permanent door like the Cat's to her lands, and then plan a trip to the flea market.

Somehow, I'd also have to let everyone in the messages know when and where to find us, after I figured it out. All new and exciting things. Yet, I didn't want to move. The Cat slept on my lap, and the weight of running the shop pressed down on me. So far everything remained standing, and now Betty was fine. But still. A soft pulse of warmth rose from the back of the couch near my head. It made me smile. Flashes of laughter drifted down our connection, making my grin settle into place even more.

"I hear you," I whispered to the quiet room. Betty was happy, and that mattered, a lot. Flipping on a movie, I relaxed back into the couch as my drink moved within reach. A few hours later, I woke up blinking in the dark living room. At some point, the Cat had left. I stumbled into bed and fell right back to sleep. This time, waking up didn't come with any surprises. Though, a faint hum of whispers lingered in my room as I stretched.

Some sort of dream, with various people talking, was quickly fading from memory as I started getting ready. Betty's charm on my braclet rested soundly, and more than half full with energy, putting me in a great mood. The shop had changed overnight when I viewed it from above. The cafe layout had been replaced by a serious bookstore. Shelves covered the floor, with wide walkways, and the floorspace had increased. Yet, the door to the rooftop deck remained a blank wall.

Noise rose from the kitchen, making me hurry down the stairs. Henry and Indigo sat near the stove, while Indigo stirred some butter in a pan.

"When do we add the veggies?" asked Indigo, staring at the pile of tomatoes next to the pile of peppers.

"Soon, I think," added Henry. He paused and checked something in a book in front of him.

"The cheese gets added last."

"Do y'all need some help?" I asked, as I entered the kitchen. It remained the same. No expansion back to the bigger room. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Can you add the veggies?" asked Indigo, her head snapping in my direction. I hurried closer and picked up the cutting board. The tomatoes and peppers were diced for the most part, though the consistency wasn't there. I added them all to the center of the hot pan just as they were. Indigo stirred them into the hot butter, making sure nothing stuck. She glanced a few times at the timer on the stove, waiting for something.

"Now, we need the eggs…"

"I can do that," said Henry. Stepping back, I let them get to work. Henry dumped a bowl of mixed eggs into the pan, then stepped back to give Indigo room. I sat at the island with a grin.

"You guys were up early," I remarked.

"I found a recipe I wanted to try," said Henry. He nodded at me.

"Indigo suggested we make it for you."

"That's sweet," I whispered.

"Breakfast is tasty," said Indigo.

"Plus, I needed to make another recipe for my science class. I want to get far enough ahead that when we open a door to the Clan lands, I can take time off."

"Time off?" I asked, thinking of what that could mean. My chest tightened. Indigo nodded frantically for a moment.

"You need to see everything!" Henry shot me a look.

"The marketplace and the library, plus my room… and the hot springs! Along with my favorite place to listen to books…" Indigo's voice trailed off as she lowered the heat on the stove using her tail. Then she stirred it some more.

"Cheese, I think…" Henry moved quickly, and grabbed the bag of shredded cheese. He dumped a quarter of it into the egg mixture.

"Good! It just needs to melt…" said Indigo, with a well satisfied grin. Plates appeared on the counter next to the stove. Indigo's head snapped over to me.

"Can you serve the eggs?"

"Of course." I stood and got to work dividing up the egg mixture between three plates. Indigo practically danced in the air as she jumped over to the island. Henry followed. Then, I placed the three plates in front of everyone's spots. Indigo tried them first, only taking a small bite before diving in for more. Henry went to take a massive bite, while I used my fork. The mixture was perfectly light and fluffy. Indigo had scrambled eggs down.

The tomatoes and peppers added a nice flavor and additional texture, plus the cheese was delightful, of course. We all remained quiet as we ate. I needed coffee, but that could wait. First, I'd enjoy a pleasant breakfast with my family. Several people weren't here, but that was alright. I needed to call Onyx and my mother. Today. I'll get to it today. A phone call I was procrastinating on didn't explain the bookshop layout in the front of the shop, though.

"This is good," I said with a smile.

"It turned out better than I thought it would from the recipe book," said Henry.

"I am thankful that Indigo is turning out to be such a good cook." Indigo's scales on her head and neck darkened, and her wings wrapped tightly around her body.

"I'm learning! Just learning."

"But you have gotten really good at scrambling eggs," I added with a grin. I'd already cleared my plate. Indigo's tail flickered behind her as she finished off her plate.

"More homework today, and I will finish a class." Henry nodded.

"Today involves lots of books," I said, thinking of the layout.

"Hopefully, it will be a good day."

"Fun, at least," said Henry. Once he finished his breakfast, we all headed to the front of the shop. Indigo darted off to her hideaway, while Henry joined me at the counter. I quickly made myself an iced mocha. Something a little sweet seemed like the right choice. Dust hung in the air, and the scent of old paper made me giddy. The bells rang before I could take my first sip, and a dark form tried to get inside. Massive wings blocked his way.