Family

“Mmmmmm! It’s soooo gooood!” Mari exclaimed contentedly, shoveling Spoonfuls of beef stew into her mouth.

“I thought unicorns could talk to animals?” Asked the young boy with messy periwinkle hair perched beside her. “Uh-huh” she mumbled.

“And you eat meat?” The little boy raised a concerned eyebrow. "How can you eat someone who you could have just been talking to a day ago?”

" I have friends who are animals and I eat meat in my human form. Meat's delicious! Your point?”

The young boy paused his own consumption of the stew and stared at her. “Y-you don’t see anything wrong with that? ”

It was Mari’s turn to raise her eyebrow in confusion. “No. Why would it? You humans will keep sheep and chickens at pets while eating the same species” She started spooning stew into her mouth again, but this time at a normal speed.

The boy cringed “I’m starting to think becoming a vegetarian might be good...”

Mari finished off her bowl. “You think Nanny will be mad if I want more?”

“T-that was your second...” Sori stuttered in shock. “Where did go?” Mari burst out laughing and ruffled his hair with her hands.

“I like food, okay?” Sori rolled over into her lap and exploded into laughter as she tickled him.

“Of course you can have as much as you want! It’s an honor to see you enjoying it!” The elderly woman stepped into the main room where Mari and Sori were eating.

“Thanks, Nanny! Azreal was right that your cooking is the best!”

“Hehe! He said that did he?” The old woman beamed. “He’s dramatic, but he’s a sweatheart. I’ll get you more.” The old woman disappeared out to the kitchen with Mari’s bowl.

Nanny Tenka was the quintessential sweet old woman, and she was gorgeous, too! Her tanned skin was wrinkled and her green hair was dulled by the addition of gray, but age had only added to her beauty. She had lines around her golden eyes and mouth attesting to how much she smiled. 

She had been surprised when Azreal had introduced Mari, but had immediately ushered her into the house away from prying eyes. She radiated a maternal warmth and Azreal clearly shared in her natural kindness, which made it shocking that they weren’t related.

The moment Mari laid eyes on Nanny and Sori, she immediately knew there was no blood connection between the three. Her enhanced senses made that easy to detect and she had felt nothing. Anyone could figure it out by looking at them. With her darker skin and green hair, Nanny Tenka was obviously from the tribal people on the Tongan continent across the sea to the south. The mirror sea was, in reality, an oversized lake in the middle of the continent, separating Opal from Tempest and the actual sea. Sori, on the other hand, had the bright sapphire eyes and pale blue hair normal among the people of Opal. Azreal was the outlier with his blood red eyes and dark hair.

That didn't negate that they were Azreal’s family, but it left her wondering where the two had come from and how they had met Azreal. But, as much as she wanted to blitz Azreal with questions, she could sense that Nanny and Sori’s origins were unpleasant and didn’t want to hurt the people Azreal loved by recalling traumatic memories.

“Don’t you know when you should just shut up? We’re all sick of you! Can’t you go away and give us a moment of peace and quiet?”

Mari jumped, knocking her glass over. “Ah, sorry!” She knelt and dabbed up the milk with her napkin. “You okay?” Sori asked. “Yeah, I just...zoned out for a moment.” Nanny returned and looked at her with concern.

“Oh sweetie, what happened?”

Mari waved her off. “Oh, I just wasn’t paying attention!” Nanny stared at her but quietly sat down on the other side of the table. Mari shook off the memory that had sprung up as she picked up her spoon. Nanny sat with her head propped on her hands, watching the two eat. 

“You look like you’re enjoying it.” The old woman smiled contentedly, clearly pleased.

“Mmh-Hmm!” Mari nodded. “It’s tasty! Thanks again for letting me stay with you. I can tell I’m going to be happy here. I love you and Sori already and I have a good feeling about this place.”

Nanny studied her. A sly look crossed her face. “So, Azreal told me you were out looking for him. You seem interested in my grandson.”

“It’s more than an interest, Nanny. He’s soulmate! I fell in love with him the moment I met him! He’s an unusually kind person and you don't meet someone like that everyday, so I’m staying with him forever!” Nanny looked at her with amusement while Sori burst out laughing so hard that he slumped over the table.

“In love with big brother? Oh my God, that’s amazing!” He flopped off the bench.

“Sori! Manners!” Nanny scolded as the boy rolled around on the ground.

 “But granny, it’s so funny!” Sori protested, on the verge of tears. “The idea of Mr. Grouchy being with someone cute and happy? It's hilarious!” 

“Hey, he’s not grumpy!” Mari pouted. “Yeah, he’s kinda scary but he accepted me and is helping me! He’s nice!” 

 Nanny suddenly jumped up and threw her arms around Mari, squeezing her from behind. “Oh my gosh, you're so sweet and precious, my heart can’t take it! Don’t leave! You’re just too lovable! Don’t listen to Sori! You’re perfect for Az and it makes me so proud as his grandmother that a girl finally-.”

“Nanny! For the love of God, nooo!” Azreal entered the house all red and covering his face in humiliation. “It’s embarrassing! Mari, why in the world would you tell her-!”

“Aw, come on!” Nanny cooed, cuddling Mari and rubbing her head against hers. “How could you resist someone so adorable? ” 

Mari giggled and leaned her body into hers. “What’s wrong with telling them I love you? ‘cause I do! Please don’t be mad, Azreal! Nanny and your brother are great!”

“Agh...” Azreal melted in humiliated frustration as Sori began pounding the floor in hysterics. “..the water tank's full. You can take a bath whenever.” He sighed. “I’m going for a walk,  Nanny.” With that, he left.

“Don’t worry, dear.” Nanny assured Mari, patting her on the shoulder 

“He’s just bad with people.” A dark look flashed across her face. “You know what he does for a living, so you can imagine that people aren't exactly fond of him. The ones here accept him, but for most of his life the opposite was true, and he has hang-ups of his own about what he does. He’s a good boy at heart. It just doesn’t outwardly show well. Please be patient with him.” Her smiled returned and she squeezed Mari’s shoulder. 

“Anyway, finish up eating, you two. Then it’s bath-time.”