The week passed by swiftly after that. On Sunday night, Sabrina had come to take us back to our respective homes. My folks were definitely happy to have me back, and I soon settled back into the old routine. It... felt weird. I guess I was happy to be back? Though now my mind had started wondering if maybe I really was ready to move out; the more logical side of me said no. A school stipend is nice, but it's not living wages.

  What the heck kind of work would you even do? I wondered to myself as I unpacked my bags. I guess there could be an opportunity at the game company... I wonder if Sabrina knows anything...

  Hm? Oh, right; with a certain flamboyant oligarch in deep trouble, there didn't seem to be much of a point staying at the hotel, so that's why we're home now. What the heck do I do with all that extra money...? I pondered with a frown. Eh, I'm sure something will come up, I then shrugged, and continued unpacking things.

  “Don't forget we're going to see your incoming grands tomorrow night!” said my dad.

  “Right! After rehearsals,” I called back.

  “That'll make it easier!” he replied with a chuckle.

  “Gyeck,” I softly remarked.

  My mom's parents are more upbeat and eccentric, which I may have implied before. They do a lot of travelling, and when they got the news about my being in a musical they decided to halt their travels for a while and come see. Which I was happy about, I guess; I just don't like being fussed over, paraded around, and stuff like that.

  On the other hand, I was nine when that happened... surely they wouldn't do that to a teenager, I then reasoned to myself. No they definitely would. If anyone would, it'd be them.

  As to our in-game shenanigans, Andrea-Heali is now working on a counter-agent to the dragonsbane poison based upon the ingredients we managed to filch or gather. Crystalina's Wand paid more than we expected for the stuff we brought out of the drowned temple, and our business with the two cooking guilds is starting to put all three of us in a favorable position on the rankings. I still find it hard to believe that we were the first guild to find ingredients like that, but now that the cat is coming out of the bag a lot of other guilds are starting to ransack Panarena to find something similar.

  The pirate guilds north of the Hinterlands have been finding unique metals and minerals; not that they said so in so many words, but there were forum posts from some of their more notable leaders trying to recruit prospectors, smiths, stone-wrights, jewellers, and other crafters with related professions--master-level ones, too. So they definitely had something going on up there.

  Our little farmstead has become busy. In addition to the agricultural goods we were producing, we were also building up a supply of dairy goods and eggs that we began to enter in to the agreement with Inare and Chef's Kiss. Venomheart has become proactive in attacking our shipments, or at least trying to. They only really delayed the one shipment, and not for very long. The Dragon Express overcomes all obstacles.

  I'm sure someone will find stuff equal to what we're producing right now, I yawned as I got into bed, but for now, it doesn't seem like anyone will topple the lead we have before the competition ends.

  ***

  Monday morning was bright and sunny. Spring was in full-swing, which meant that I had to be very alert when heading out to the bus on account of the flower garden that my mother somehow maintains. After all, flowers attract... those things. You know, the buzzy ones.

  “This, I did not miss.” I remarked to myself as I made my way to the bus stop. Ty was still in his usual seat when it came along, and I slumped in next to him. He gave me a funny look, then gave me a fist-bump to the shoulder.

  “Yo.” he said.

  “Hiya.” I nodded back.

  “Vacation over, huh?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “'Been weird not seeing you get on.” he remarked.

  “Ehh. I guess it was strange not being on the bus...” I said in answer.

  “So? How'd it go?” Ty grinned at me.

  “Hmm?” I blinked uncertainly, and he nodded as if he expected that sort of answer.

  “Yo, Dans,” he whispered. “Y'gotta lotta people talking, y'know? I figured you two wasn't doin' anything dumb together, but you know how people are,” he shook his head.

  Ahh--there were those kind of stories going around, huh? Come to think of it, Malcolm wasn't all that thrilled about what he thought of as “special treatment” either...

  “Yeah, I guess so... but nothing like that happened.” I shrugged.

  “That's what I'm saying, man,” he nodded. “You two ain't that kind of couple.”

  “Definitely not,” I agreed.

  “Man, Dans, I tell you... one week left, huh? And then we gotta get through the rest of the academic year...” Ty then sighed as he changed the subject.

  “Ah-heh,” I grinned wearily at the reminder. “And when we make it through that it'll be summer break.”

  “For you, boy.” he quipped, gently knuckling the side of my head. “I got a work-program lined up for this summer.”

  “Oh nice... related to the stuff you've been doing out of school?”

  “That's right,” he nodded back.

  “Cool,” I said.

  “What about you?”

  “We're going overseas; the guild, that is.”

  “Hm? All y'all?” he said with interest.

  “Yup,” I replied.

  “That's cool. Vacation, huh?”

  “Ehh... and some practical foreign language experience, I guess,” I said with a bemused grin.

  “Ohh, I getcha,” he grinned back. “Sounds good, man. And then we get to enjoy the game festivals on the side, 'cept maybe this one going on...” he added.

  “Oh right; heh, the competition is so intense I think most of us forgot we had a spring festival going on...” I softly groaned.

  “Heard that.” Ty agreed.

  Maybe I'll sneak down and try it a bit before we get back into that story-line with Anna Belle, I reflected as I gazed blankly at the ceiling of the bus.

  When we got to school Ty gave me his usual parting flick before heading off to his locker, and I made my way to my own. Rachel was there ahead of me, just finishing with her books for the morning. She smiled upon catching sight of me, and I smiled back to her. Nope, I'll never get tired of it, I thought to myself as I opened my locker to get things sorted out.

  “How're you?” she asked.

  “Doing okay; you?” I replied.

  “Hmm... feeling a little weird--well, lonely, since Sunday, but otherwise I'm good.” Rachel told me.

  “Yeah,” I said softly, a faint grin on my face.

  “Hmm...?” she smiled, looking over my expression. “You got used to it too, huh?”

  “I did,” I laughed back gently. “Ty said there were rumors going around, though, so maybe it's good we're home again...”

  “Oh those. Andi told me about a few,” she returned with a soundless giggle.

  “Gyeck?!”

  “It's fine! It's not like any of them are true...”

  “Hrrmm... but still...” I frowned as I got my last book out and shut the locker.

  “I know.” she nodded back, and we headed in for homeroom. “Maybe we can speed up our plans next year...?” she asked as we sat down.

  I don't know what's crazier. That she wants to find an apartment with friends sooner or that I'm actually considering agreeing with her.

  “I... guess we can talk about it,” I returned softly, and she smiled in reply. “Even then...”

  “It'd have to be after winter-break for sure. I know.” Rachel nodded.

  “Yeah,” I agreed.

  Sixteen is the minimum age for most workplaces around the city, as well as the age of being able to lease an apartment--with the consent of older relatives, of course. Still, I can't imagine that--

  “All right, kids, the bell's out again, so I'm calling it!” our homeroom teacher said as he came in. “Time go get this show on the road.”

  Guhyeck!? I flinched, my mind instantly going to the end of the day when we would be having rehearsals.

  “All-right, people! Keep up the good work for this weekend!” Miss Andrews called as we finished said rehearsals later that evening. There was a round of cheers and applause from us in response, and then we began heading our separate ways. Rachel and I found my mom and dad, along with Joshua, waiting for us. Joshua was waving cheekily, and my dad grinned.

  Uhh...

  “They're here,” my dad turned to his left to say. I blinked, turning to my right.

  “Ah--!” I started, seeing my other grandparents standing there with big smiles.

  “Seannie!” Grandma Jane declared as she strode forward to wrap me in a hug.

  Yep... she did the thing... I ruefully thought to myself as I caught a glimpse of Rachel's face contorting with amusement.

  “Well howdy, kiddo!” Grandpa Richard said as he came over, rubbing my head as his wife let go of me.

  “H-hey,” I replied.

  Hah? Wait--yikes... oh boy. Well maybe the 'rents told them...

  “And who's this little darling?” Grandma Jane then asked.

  You didn't tell them!?!

  “This is Rachel,” I replied as Rachel took my hand, smiling.

  “Oh, I see...! You've grown up a bit, have you? Shirley, I don't remember you telling me about a girlfriend!” my grandma said reproachfully, turning to her daughter.

  “I'm pretty sure we sent you a Christmas card with the news, mom,” my mother returned with a faint grin.

  “Ricky?” the older woman said to her husband.

  “Hm? Must be in the--well, ha-hem! Good to meet you, missie,” he said to Rachel as he extended a hand.

  “Thanks, it's good to meet you, too,” Rachel told him.

  “There you are!” Joshua then exclaimed.

  “You didn't think I'd skip out on this, did you?” a vaguely familiar voice called. Rachel then let go of my hand to run and hug her mother.

  “Tina, hello! I thought you wouldn't be in until tomorrow?” my mother said.

  “Well, that flight cancelled, and I got a better offer out of it, so here I am!” the other woman said with a shrug as she stroked her daughter's hair. “Good to see you too, honey.” she said softly.

  “Who're all these people?” Joanna softly asked as she tapped my shoulder.

  “Family,” I told her.

  “Hmm...?” she returned as she observed them with me, all their attention suddenly focused on Rachel and her mother. “Cute. Oh, thanks for the thing... you know.”

  “Hmm? Oh, right; and you also... kinda...” I returned.

  “Kinda?” she returned with a faint smirk.

  “You know what you did, you sneaky sell-sword,” I softly grinned back.

  “True. See you next time; have fun!” Joanna said as she ran off to catch her brother.

  “Heh.”

  “Friend of yours?” Joshua asked me.

  “Ehh...”

  “Boo! Say yes. It is true!” Rachel chided me at once.

  “Isn't she more your friend, though?” I shrugged.

  “Hrrmm...” she gave me a crinkled grin in reply as the adults laughed.

  “Um. Rude. Starting without me again, I see!” another familiar voice said. I turned around to see my aunt--yes, the one who gave me a certain birthday present responsible for my life to date--coming to join us.

  “There you are, Amy!” Shirley smiled as she and my dad went over to hug her.

  “Well howdy! You ain't grown an inch, have you?” Grandpa Richard grinned, cackling as my aunt rolled her eyes in reply.

  “That joke again? It's twenty years too old, Ricky!” she quipped back.

  “Oh don't even start with him, dearie.” my grandma patted her shoulder as they shared a hug next.

  “I know, I know. Hiya kiddo!” Aunt Amy said as she came to me, squeezing me tight.

  “Hiya,” I replied as soon as I had breath back.

  “Finally doing some fantasy in the real-world, huh?” she smirked.

  “Like you had nothing to do with it,” I quickly retorted.

  “Ah-huh,” she nodded. “I'll be joining you when summer comes along and I finally get a break from moonlighting at the night schools.”

  “Eh?!”

  “Did you forget your aunt is a dedicated gamer, too?” she said with a mock-pout.

  “Ahh...”

  “That's a yep.” my dad grinned. “Well, where's the party happening tonight? And whose cars are we using?”

  “Let's go back to your place and draw straws!” my aunt said at once.

  “Sounds fair to me!” Grandpa Richard agreed.

  “Albert, you have to go and get your folks, so you're out.” my mother said to my dad.

  “Naw, naw; let us get them,” her father said. “We know the way, don't we, Jane?”

  “In that case let's go to that folksy restaurant midway between the city and the village,” my mother suggested.

  “What's it called?” her mother asked.

  “Alby, what was that place called? The one your folks love.”

  “Hmm? Oh, MacIntyre's?” my father replied.

  “That's the one!” mom nodded.

  “Can't miss it.” dad asserted.

  “Right! We'll meet you there,” Grandpa Richard said, and they headed off to get my other grandparents.

  “We'll take you, in that case,” dad said to my aunt, who nodded.

  “That leaves...” Amy said, grinning over at me.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  “I'll take them. And my mom, too.” Joshua said at once.

  “Eh?” I wondered.

  “Come on, champ!” he patted me on the shoulder as I got quickly dragged along to his car by my girlfriend.

  “Wrapped around her little finger, is he?” I heard my aunt say.

  “Something like that,” my dad chuckled back.

  Look who's talking, you big doofus, I couldn't help but think.

  ***

  “You two have certainly come a long way since I last saw you,” Rachel's mom said to us as we drove along through the city.

  “I'd say so,” Rachel agreed, smiling over at me.

  “I have to say, you didn't strike me as the kind of person who'd go up for this, young man. But here we are, and I can't tell you how delighted I am to see both of you doing this.” the older woman smiled back at me.

  “Thanks,” I replied.

  “Rachel, your grandparents will be in late Wednesday evening. Will you meet them with me?”

  “Of course,” my girlfriend replied enthusiastically.

  “Joshua, he's turning left up there; shouldn't you follow him?” Mrs. Danes then observed.

  “That's Mister Graham's car, not Albert's; they're taking the seniors roadway,” her son replied.

  “Ahh, I see.” she nodded back.

  “Albert is the jeep up thataway,” Joshua grinned.

  “Oh yes, I remember now,” his mother exclaimed.

  As they continued talking, I felt Rachel's hand slip over mine. I clasped it back gently, idly staring out of the window. Behind us, there was a car that was speeding up. My senses began tingling. Joshua's... car... a speeder... I felt a slight shiver.

  “You okay?” Rachel asked me.

  The car behind us sped up some more, weaving its way around the two or three other cars around until it was next to us. I saw a brief glimpse of the driver. For a moment I thought I saw a ski-mask on his head, but it was just his hair. The guy passed us, and sped on his way into the distance.

  “Have fun, Jack,” Joshua quipped to the unknown driver. I sighed in relief.

  “I'm fine.” I smiled back to Rachel.

  “Okay.” she smiled back.

  “Hmm? Ohh, yeah... that must've...” her brother remarked, recalling the incident from a couple weeks ago. “No worries, pal.”

  “Yeah.” I nodded back.

  Well, after that, we arrived at MacIntyre's safely. “Leadfoot Rick” had gotten my other grandparents from the retirement center and beaten us to the place. The little family reunion began with a round of hugs and greetings before we entered the restaurant, and while the adults entered Joshua held the two of us back for a moment.

  “Joshy?” his sister asked him.

  “So... Ray-ray... um, he's coming to see it, too. Just him, of course.” he told her softly. I could see her face darkening.

  “What night?” she asked him in a tense voice.

  “He hasn't told me. He just said he was coming.” he said with a shrug.

  “I see.” Rachel slowly nodded. “He's not going to... to....”

  “No, I don't think he'll actually visit.” her brother said, placing a hand on her. “I think that's why he didn't tell me when. I guess I should have kept it under wraps, but--”

  “No. I'm... I'm glad you told me. Now I have double the reason to do my best, every night, to show him how far I've come.” she replied.

  “I figured you'd say that.” Joshua smiled. “Right... unpleasant stuff out of the way, let's head in!” he then grinned, hurrying to the door. Rachel looked over at me and smiled. I gave her a smile in reply.

  “We'll be fine.” I told her.

  “I know.” she said, and with that we hurried in after our families.

  ***

  “You don't say much these days, do ya, kid?” Grandpa Richard nudged me as we ate.

  “Now, Ricky, leave him be,” Grandma Maisy chided him. “He's saving all his words for those upcoming performances, aren't you, dear?”

  “I guess so,” I said.

  “Ah, come on, mom, even you called him 'Little Chatterbox' when he was a kid,” Amy remarked.

  Hyeck!?

  “Oh? Why, yes, that's right,” Maisy smiled, and then chuckled.

  “So? How's fantasy world?” my aunt said with a Cheshire-smirk as the other adults launched into a different conversation.

  “It's... it's great,” I softly smiled as I thought back on the adventures I'd been having over the past several months.

  “Yeah? I've been dying to try it, but it's just been sitting in my special room until I had some major free time.” she shrugged.

  “Hmm,” I nodded back.

  I guess she doesn't know about the time-acceleration... best not mention it here.

  Hmm? Oh. So my aunt is twenty years older than me, and fourteen years younger than my father. I guess she's almost more of a cousin than an aunt most of the time. She was definitely the only one who more or less understood my gaming obsession, since she has a small one of her own. Small wonder she had a Dream Machine of her own.

  “They're getting some new games and software for it in the next year or so, but right now it looks like everyone's still dazed and awed by PFO.” she said, and I idly nodded back. “Join any guilds?”

  Guhyeck!?

  “Ahh...”

  “What's that reaction for?” Amy poked me.

  “Ehh...”

  “So Sean, how did you meet Rachel?” Grandpa Richard suddenly asked me.

  Saved...

  “We met at school,” I smiled, and Rachel smiled back too.

  “First day?”

  “Yep.”

  “Huh, lucky boy,” the older man remarked. Grandpa John softly chuckled. He then said something to me in Irish that made my cheeks turn red.

  “Now, John! What on earth did you say to that boy?” Maisy asked him. He quietly pretended not to hear, resuming his attention on the stew before him.

  “What did he say?” Rachel whispered.

  “I--I'll tell you later,” I murmured as I buried my face in my ginger ale.

  “You kids these days. You're already taking two of the more difficult Asian languages at school, and you understand that too?” Rachel's mother said with amazement.

  “He's something else when he wants to be,” my dad said.

  Oy.

  “Like father, like son.” my aunt quipped, and we all laughed.

  “Speaking of school, we'd best hurry this up! It's still a school-week, after all!” Grandma Jane then remarked.

  “Hear that, schoolboy? Eat up!” Amy poked me again, a wide smirk on her face.

  “Yeah, yeah,” I shrugged back.

  Anyhow. Once we had finished our semi-impromptu celebration, we made our way back home in the same cars that we had arrived in. Joshua dropped his and Rachel's mother off at her car, and then we pulled up at Andrea's a few minutes later. Rachel tugged my sleeve, and I got out with her.

  “What did he say?” she repeated softly. I felt my cheeks burning again. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Joshua pretending not to keep an eye on us.

  “Hrrmm...” I rubbed the back of my neck uneasily.

  “This is going to be good.” Rachel grinned.

  “H-he said that we might be sending out wedding invitations soon...” I said, and she turned a light shade of red as well.

  “I mean--well yeah,” she said to me confidently.

  “Ah--! Yeah, eventually,” I quickly nodded.

  “Not soon?” she gave me a teasing look.

  “N-not soon enough,” I returned. She gave me a look of surprise.

  “Good save.” she then smiled, kissing me. “Go get some sleep.” she said next, and headed inside for the night. I waited until she was in, and then got back in the car.

  “You old romantic,” Joshua bopped my shoulder as I buckled up.

  “Yeah, yeah.” I sighed as he softly laughed.

  For the rest of that night we were busy doing stuff in Panarena; Tuesday and Wednesday went by normally, and then Thursday came along. It started off with rain. The bus ride always seems longer when it rains for some reason. Ty was half-conscious until we got to school, whereupon he perked up long enough to give his usual flick before heading off to his locker. I shook my head, slyly grinning.

  School itself seemed to go by at a snail's pace until the last class ended. Then it felt like an explosion of activity happening; I realized that the theater-kids weren't the only ones gearing up for activities in the spring. A lot of other clubs were apparently readying themselves for the upcoming school faire, judging from what I heard a few of them say.

  “The theater gang is definitely center-stage, pun intended! But that just means we in the Arts Club have to step up our game!” one of them remarked.

  “Heh! I think the culinary kids are gonna beat us out,” a girl shrugged.

  “You think so?” the other said.

  “Um. Have you tried Grace's cookies?” she said with a look of disbelief.

  “Grace? Ohh, Grace Lancaster... eh, yeah, I see what you mean,” he shrugged.

  “Dude. She is like, the best; like the absolute best in that club.”

  “For sure.”

  “We're having a school faire?” I then quietly asked Rachel.

  “How do you always miss these things?” she gave me a funny look. “It's a cultural-festival that's happening the week after the musical.”

  “Hmm...” I nodded as we got our things ready for the afternoon. “Eh? Is that why next week is basically a free-week?”

  “Yes, silly.” she replied, patting my head. “And also why we have a second weekend of performances, with some scene-exhibitions throughout the week as well,” she reminded me.

  “Ah--! Ahh...” I slowly nodded back.

  It's gonna be a lively couple of weeks around here, huh? And in Panarena we'll have our quest coming back to get us...

  “We'll definitely have to take a tour of the festival while it's on. I can't wait to see what everyone else has been doing!” Rachel smiled as we closed our lockers and started off for the theater.

  “If that thing is any indication,” I said as I watched a couple of students carrying some sort of large diorama through the halls, “I'm sure it'll all be worth a look.”

  “What was that?” she looked at me curiously.

  “Hm? I think I saw a volcano on it; are they doing a science fair too?”

  “Oh right! That's probably for one of the advanced science classes, then.”

  “Cool,” I nodded.

  “Hiya cuties,” Joanna said as she ran into us.

  “Hey, Jo!” Rachel smiled, and I waved back.

  “Hard to believe this is it, huh?” the older girl said.

  “Like really,” Rachel agreed.

  I wasn't sure what she meant until we got there. As we stepped into the theater that afternoon, I suddenly stopped to look around for a moment. Now I get it; this really is it, huh? The final dress-rehearsal before the show... I can't tell if I'm nervous or excited. Maybe it's both. Heh. It's not quite the same kind of rush I get from a challenge in Panarena, I smiled to myself, But it's definitely a rush.

  “Seeaan?” Rachel called my name.

  “Coming!” I said, hurrying in to get costumed up for the final rehearsal.

  ***

  “All right, that's a wrap! See you tomorrow for opening night!” Miss Andrews declared.

  We had gotten everything down as perfectly as we could hope to do, and in lieu of an audience we gave ourselves a round of applause for the work we had done.

  “Miss Andrews! What about the skits for next week?” Malcolm asked.

  “I'll decide based upon what I see this weekend!” our teacher said in reply. “For now, maintain your excellence!” she told us, and with that we began getting ready to go home.

  “Phew! We finally managed not to whack him a good one, eh, Herb?” Matthew said as we changed into our usual clothes.

  “For real though!” the other boy nodded enthusiastically.

  “Heh, I'm sure he's glad of the change!” Stephen remarked, grinning.

  “Oh for sure,” I said.

  “Just remember what our teach' said: 'maintain your excellence'!” the older boy said.

  “Right!”

  “Of course!”

  “Ah, shucks, I'll try,” the three of us said at once.

  “Anyway! I gotta--” Matthew began, and then a carefully aimed piece of paper, arduously folded up, struck him in the head before falling to ground. “Whoa! Oh hey, there it is,” he grinned.

  “Nothing throws off his rhythm, does it?” I quipped.

  “Not even a little bit,” Malcolm chuckled.

  “Oh hey! It's for me!” Matthew grinned, unfolding it. He scanned it for a few moments, and then did something I had practically never seen him do these past couple of months. He got serious. Carefully folding it up again, he put it in his pocket and then finished dressing.

  “What's with you all of a sudden?” Herby asked him.

  “No time, Herbs!” Matthew said, patting his friend on the shoulder. “Gotta run!” he added, dashing off.

  “What was that about?” Herby wondered as the tall boy left.

  “Dunno,” Stephen shrugged, “But he actually looked solemn for once in his life. Or at least serious.”

  “Right?” Malcolm agreed. “Hard to believe...”

  A note, a note... hm? Oh hey, I bet I know what happened... I'll ask Rachel, though, I mused as I finished getting my own things on.

  “You ready for the opening night tomorrow, Robin?” Stephen asked as he gave my shoulder a gentle bop.

  “As ready as I'll ever be,” I returned.

  “That's the spirit, man. We're all looking forward to it!” he smiled back.

  “And with that one rich yokel out of the picture, we'll definitely win over the rest!” Henry nodded confidently.

  “Couldn't have said it better myself!” Joe agreed. “Take care, man! We'll see you tomorrow!” he said to me as I headed out.

  “See ya's!” I called back, and a chorus of farewells rose up in reply.

  I walked out to where the cars were; Rachel was there waiting for me, waving me over to her mother's car. Come to think of it, I wasn't there Wednesday night when her grands came in; is that what we're doing now? I wondered.

  “Come on! My grandparents are about crazy to meet you!” she smiled to me.

  “I was just thinking that's what this was,” I grinned in reply as I got in the backseat with her.

  “All buckled in?” her mother asked.

  “Yep!” Rachel said, and I nodded back.

  “Good!” she smiled, and we got underway.

  “Oh, Rey, that note that hit Matthew...” I then remembered.

  “Ahh, you saw that, huh?” Rachel smiled. “It's definitely what you're thinking.” she said, pointing to the right. I looked, and saw Matthew and Maggie talking near one of the street lamps by the school.

  “Hehh...? She finally did it, huh?” I remarked.

  “Defs.” my girlfriend nodded.

  “Some romance blossoming, I take it?” Mrs. Danes wondered.

  “I hope so!” Rachel said. “What do you think?” she poked me.

  “Hrrmm... that was the most serious look I've ever seen Matt's face, but it was definitely a happy face too, if that makes sense,” I said.

  “It does,” she replied.

  The car lapsed into silence for a few moments, and then Mrs. Danes spoke again.

  “Your aunt is certainly eccentric; she doesn't seem as old as she is at all!” she told me.

  “Ah-heh, I think she really is perpetually a teenager,” I agreed.

  “And she's joining you in your little diversions this summer, hm?” came the next question.

  “Seems like it,” I nodded.

  “That'll be fun,” Rachel said, softly smirking at me.

  “Games are better with family,” her mother smiled. “I'm glad you recommended that cafe; your grands were thrilled at the idea,” she said to Rachel.

  “I told you they'd like it!” my girlfriend replied.

  Come to think of it, Rachel seems happier around her mother now... not that she wasn't before, but now it seems more... enthusiastic? I thought to myself. And we're going to a cafe with gam--ohhh, I remember now! A grin came to my face as I realized where we were going.

  A few minutes later, we pulled up at the cafe that Rachel and I liked to frequent, the one with the holo-games and the mini-bookstore. We found her grandparents waiting for us at a table, enthusiastically waving us over. I was introduced as we sat down to join them, and they were indeed delighted to meet me.

  “Good to meet you, Sean! I'm Agatha Peters, and this is Harry; so you're the charming prince our dear little princess is so enraptured with lately!” her grandmother smiled.

  “Eh? Prince? Ahh...” I returned uncertainly as her grandfather chuckled heartily.

  “Don't fret about it, son. We're very pleased to meet you, though.” he told me.

  “I'm glad to meet you as well,” I replied.

  “And we get to meet the rest of his family tomorrow, oh how exciting!” his wife said.

  “Oh, I've already taken care of the appetizers, Tina,” the elderly man then said.

  “Oh dad! This was supposed to be my treat!” Rachel's mother chided softly.

  “Now, now, dearie,” Mrs. Peters reached over to pat her hands. “We'll let you buy desserts, how about that?”

  “Mo-ther!” the other woman sighed, smiling wryly.

  “Is it always like this?” I asked Rachel quietly.

  “Always.” she grinned back.

  “So where are these board games? Do we have to call the server?” her grandfather wondered as he looked around.

  “No, dad, you just have to--” his daughter began, but I reached over to press a few buttons, and the selections came up.

  “Goodness!” Grandma Peters exclaimed.

  “Well I'll be,” the older man blinked in astonishment.

  “Ahh... ah-heh-heh-heh... what games do you like?” I asked them.

  “Well! What can we do with the five of us?” he pondered.

  “What was that game we played at Rachel's fifth birthday party, Harry?” his wife asked him.

  “Hmm... that was a while ago, eh? Let's see...” he mused. Rachel then smiled, and flipped through the selections herself.

  “It was this one, grandpa!” she told him when she found it a few moments later.

  “So it was, so it was!” he nodded.

  It was a game called “Labyrinth”, an old fantasy-esque board game. From what I could se in the rules, it looked like you had to collect treasures as you moved certain parts of the labyrinth around to reach the ones you were assigned to get and then return to your spot after reaching them all.

  “Let's play it!” she smiled, and pressed the button to make it materialize on the table.

  “Oh my good gracious, how far these things have come!” her grandmother exclaimed.

  “Whew!” her husband nodded in agreement.

  “Hi folks, can I get you some drinks?” a server asked as she came over to us.

  “Yes, I'll have a lemon tea, please.” Mrs. Danes said.

  “Dr. Fizz here,” Rachel told her.

  “And you?”

  “Hmm... green tea?” I asked.

  “Sure thing!” the young lady nodded, and headed back to get them.

  “You're gonna love this,” Rachel said to me.

  “Tina, you go first, and I'll trade you later. Right now I want to go and look at the books they have here,” Mrs. Peters said.

  “Will you be fine getting over there, mother?” the other woman asked.

  “Oh heavens, I'll be fine walking that far, honey,” the reply came.

  “She'll be all right; it's only five meters,” Mr. Peters said.

  “All right; don't hesitate to call me over if you need help,” their daughter said.

  “Of course, dearie, of course!”

  “Now then! Blue.” Mr. Peters said, and the piece in question materialized before him. “Wow!” he chuckled.

  “Red!” Rachel smiled.

  “Green,” I said.

  “That leaves yellow for me, it seems,” Rachel's mother softly grinned, and with that we began the game.