Page 53 of First Comes Orc, Second Comes Baby
The male’s skin was a deeper green with yellow undertones, and he wore his shoulder length black hair in a tousled cut, his facial features broad rather than aquiline like the female’s. Discreetly, Charlotte glanced up at Brahnt. He mostly looked like his mother, but there were strong echoes of his father’s features as well.
The parents rose, the dad coming around to hug Brahnt. “You look well, son. And this must be your Charlotte.”
Charlotte started to hold out her hand, but he brushed it aside and drew Charlotte into a hug. “Welcome, daughter. I'm Samesh.”
“It’s good to meet you finally,” Charlotte said. “We would have come sooner but Brahnt keeps me tied to the bed.” She winced. Oh my god she needed to work on the words that came out of her mouth when she was nervous.
Samesh only laughed. “I remember the early days bonding with my wife.” Samesh released Charlotte and turned to the female. “Regine.” The word was sharp, and firm.
The female rose, sauntered forward, shook Brahnt's hand, then gave Charlotte a once over.
She turned back to her son. “Well, at least you saw to her attire. I was afraid she'd come looking like she'd been vomited on by Gucci. Or. . .what's that one chain store. . .” Regine rubbed her chin, eyes narrowing. “All the working people shop there. I saw it on a commercial. Sammie, help me.”
“Target?” Charlotte said in a meek voice. “Or Wal-Mart maybe. There's also—”
“No, the second one's it.” Regine snapped her fingers. “So many to cater to the masses. Of course I should have asked you first. At least wearing Target would have been honest. I can’t abide pretenders.”
“Mother,” Brahnt said.
“Alicia should be bringing out lunch soon,” Regine said, ignoring Brahnt. “Sit, let’s talk.”
“Absolutely!” Charlotte increased the wattage of her smile. “I can’t wait.”
“So, you’re going all in, Brahnt,” Regine said as they settled into chairs. “Marriage. . .dog—thatisa dog, not an albino rat?—the whole shebang.”
Charlotte's eyes widened as she glanced at Brahnt. “You told them we were engaged?”
“He didn't have to tell me,” was Regine's condescending reply. “He wouldn't have brought you to meet us if you weren't.”
Charlotte settled back in her chair, mimicking Regine's pose, and crossed her leg over her knee. “We aren't engaged.”
Regine's eyebrows rose. “Oh? Are you holding up for a more advantageous prenup?”
“Prenup?”
Regine looked at Brahnt. “Please tell me you've drawn up a pre-nuptial agreement.” She reached for the smartphone lying in the center of the table. “I'll have our lawyers—”
“I’ll handle it, Mother,” Brahnt cut in.
“I think an objective third party—”
“Mother.”
“Well, what do we know about this Human?” Her expression smoothed. “And she hasn’t been introduced to the female’s circle yet.”
Charlotte thought it was interesting that Regine abandoned civility two minutes into the conversation and started talking about Charlotte as if theHumanwasn't even present. Oh well, that meant Charlotte didn't have to do any of the actual talking. She was kind of okay with that.
A blonde thirty-something Human woman in livery brought out a tray of drinks and set them down. Charlotte picked hers up and sipped. Strawberry lemonade.
“I asked the staff to make something a girl like you would normally drink,” Regine said. “I wanted you to feel at home. What is it called again, Alicia?”
“Kool-Aid, ma’am,” she said without missing a beat.
Charlotte wasn't offended; she was hugely amused. “It's good!” She grinned at Regine. “One of my favorites.”
It also wasn't Kool-Aid. For one thing, it lacked the punch of white sugar sweetness. For another thing, it was all the wrong color. So either Regine was pulling her tail, or Alicia was humoring her employer knowing she wouldn't be able to tell the difference. If this wasn't homemade lemonade with actual strawberries crushed in and strained for color, Charlotte would eat her leotard.
Or Snowkiss's lunch.
