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Chapter 45: The Birthday Boy

Liam darted over to Garret and knelt to check his pulse and eyes; Avery gasped and hastily joined him. Garret just stared blankly from his seat on the floor for a second before waving them off. "I'm fine, just a little unsteady. What the hells is this about, Nathanial? I finally start getting my head around you being... g... gay." He shook his head, "I did say starting. And now you're talking about taking some girl to a dance? What's wrong with Geoff? Why can't you go with him, if you want to dance with someone?"

Avery helped him to his hindpaws, with Liam's assistance. She cast a dark glare at Geoff, "I agree with Garret. If you two want to go dancing, you should go together," She helped Garret sit down in his chair.

Garret waved at everyone, "Sit, sit. Please, make yourselves comfortable."

Nathanial glanced around and everyone was staring at Avery and Garret in disbelief. Even Liam looked like he was having trouble understanding what was going on. Nathanial sat down, "Please, we can talk as we eat. The food is getting cold; I recommend starting with some of the spring rolls, they're far better hot. Now, please," he continued as everyone started dishing up food, "don't take this the wrong way, Dad and Mrs. McDougal, but you are the last two I thought would object."

Garret and Avery exchanged glances, Avery spoke first, "We've been talking about this, and, well, yes, we both find it hard to understand and on some levels to accept, but we're your parents. We love you, and we both approve of the other's son. I think we probably have the same objection," She looked at Garret for a second as she continued, "We can learn to live with who you are, so can everyone else. We don't want you to feel that you need to hide to get other people's approval. And, well, I don't want you two leading on any poor girls. You're both very good looking, nice, and smart, not to mention you come from wealthy families."

Garret nodded, "Yep, we're on the same wavelength, again. I want you to be you, Nathanial. That goes for you two, as well." He nodded to Nick and Micah, "You are my boys, too, and I want you to be comfortable with who you are and who you will be, as you grow up. If the Society has any objections, I have no problems quitting. It's not like they've been a great help, except for cleaning up and dealing with the mortal law enforcement. I like Jay and Ella, as far as I know them, but the whole protection racket's a joke. I understand things are a bit more complicated with your in-laws, Avery, but I don't think either of us want them to feel bound by the xenophobia plaguing the Hidden World."

Geoff looked at Nathanial, "The what?"

Nathanial shrugged, "Xenophobia, it's usually used in terms of fear and hatred of aliens in sci-fi, but it works just as well for magical entities, since you are, in some sense, 'other worldly'."

Geoff looked offended, "We aren't aliens. I was born in Cork, not on Romulus."

Garret smiled, "But you're just as different from regular Furs as any Star Trek alien, if not more so. I didn't pick the term. And we belong to different parts of the Hidden World, so we're essentially from different worlds, but we're getting off topic. Why the sudden interest in going to a dance, and why a girl?"

Geoff and Nathanial looked at Liam. Nathanial had taken a big bite of food, so Geoff answered, "Subterfuge, misdirection, whatever. We know there are lots of rumours going around about us, so Liam thought it might be a good idea to slow them down, a bit. Try to keep the Society off of us and to keep the rumours from working their way back to Uncle Rolph. Michelle Eiklenboom is in grade eleven and is on the board of the Gay-Straight Alliance, but she has a big mouth and assumes people are gay if there's a possibility they might be. She was one of the ones responsible for spreading rumours about us, completely innocently, though. Liam told her off, telling her what these rumours can do to people, and she got upset, crying upset not angry upset. It turns out she did this last year to a student, kinda treating this guy the way she was treating Nathanial and he ended up committing suicide because of all the bullying." The adults all glanced at Nathanial and winced, Micah squeaked and stared at Nathanial with huge, watery eyes.

Nathanial blushed, "Come on! Is it that easy to imagine?" He didn't know whether he was offended or if he felt happy they looked so upset at the idea.

Nicholas just looked Nathanial straight in the eyes, "Yes. Yes, it is. I was really worried about it, actually, before you met Geoff, but I didn't know what to do." He looked away, "I..." He swallowed heavily, "I kept praying to whoever would listen as I walked home from school every day last year 'let him be all right, keep him alive for us, please." He stopped talking, embarrassed and visibly shaken. Micah leaned over and rubbed his head against Nicholas' arm whimpering softly. Garret looked grief stricken.

Nathanial felt ashamed, and the pain he knew he must have caused Nick made his chest tighten and burn. "I'm sorry, Nick." He felt worse because he had thought of it, many times, living just seemed nearly unbearable at some, no, most times. But then he'd think of Nick and Micah trying to get by without him. He telepathically spoke to Nicholas, *You guys kept me alive, no matter how bad I felt I just had to think of you and Micah to keep me going. Thank you.* Nicholas didn't answer, but met Nathanial's eyes and started crying. He jumped up from the table and ran out of the room, Nathanial went to stand up, "Excuse me."

Garret stood up and waved at Nathanial, "No, you're the host. I'll talk to him, first, sit."

Nathanial knew Nicholas would want to talk to him, but his dad seemed to want to make amends, or something, for not being there. Nathanial reversed his motion and sat back down, never having gotten fully to his hindpaws. Liam raised his paw, "Change of topic, Healer's orders. Or, at the very least, return to the point. Will you, either of you, take her to the dance? She agreed to go with one of them, knowing the reason behind it, so there is no worry she is being led on."

Geoff and Nathanial looked at each other, with Geoff answering. Nathanial still was feeling very choked up and upset. "Ah, with Mom and Garret being against it, I really don't think so, but it's... logical? There's so much going on that anything to keep more problems away for even a few months looks good. I really hate dances and I really don't want to go with anyone but Nathanial, if I did go." He sighed, "It sucks not being able to be his boyfriend at school, when there are straight people sucking face in every corner and pawing each other all through the halls, not realizing how unfair it is. And its not just that we're gay, but the whole... xenophobia on top of it, what does it matter that he's a Mage and I'm a Spirit? I love him. Why do I have to live being afraid that Rolph will find out and make trouble? But he will make trouble and it's not fair to you guys, either, especially Gwen. I don't give a f... flip what he thinks, but... Granddad. He... he could get in trouble, too." Nathanial could hear the pain and indecision in his voice. Conor was sitting there, fingers interlaced and gazing at his son over his clasped paws. Studying him.

Nathanial quietly spoke, "Geoff, you have a duty to your family, first, and then your Clan. As your boyfriend, that means I do, too. Our personal situation is irrelevant, what's best for them?"

Geoff growled, "You sound like Faelen." Faelen smiled and arched an eyebrow, "Not that that's a bad thing!" Faelen chuckled. "Um, I don't want to be the alpha, and Granddad still has two hundred-ish years left before Da becomes alpha."

Faelen cleared his throat, "Not necessarily. If you're an adult when Alpha McDougal loses his position, whether naturally or Rolph challenges him and wins, you will be expected to take his place or to challenge and beat Rolph, not Conor. You are the Dark Spirit, it's your duty."

Geoff snarled in fear and anger, "I hate that word! Why can't I just be me? I don't want to be alpha! I don't want my best friend to feel like he's my vassal and has to die for me! I don't want to be afraid to say I love my boyfriend in case someone finds out. I just want to be free!"

Nathanial shook his head, "You're a prince, for all intents and purposes, or at least the second in line for a dukedom, whatever they're called. But, really, is the Cork Clan that big or important? Why is it such a big deal if Conor becomes alpha, or you, or even this Rolph? Hells, in two hundred years there could be dozens of good candidates in your family."

Conor put his paws down, "We have no kings, queens, or the equivalent. The Clans are a complete mish-mash of political systems. The Cork Clan is essentially a constitutional monarchy, but the sitting alpha can be challenged at any time. If he or she loses, the council votes on whether the challenger can take his spot, if he has to face other challengers, if he's unfit to rule, or has to go to an election. The unfit to rule clause is almost never used, the challenger has to be insane or detested by the majority of the Clan. The alpha doesn't have supreme power, either, it's more like the elected council is like the American Senate and the alpha is the president. If the alpha steps down or dies of natural causes, it's almost always a vote between the top four or five strongest Spirits. It doesn't have to be a McDougal to take over from Da, it's just tradition. There's always been a McDougal, or more than one, in contention for the position. There's always a few McDougal's on the council, too. To your other question, Rolph would cause a lot of conflict with the other Clans and the rest of the Hidden World, including the Seelie Court of the Fey. He's also very bigoted, so any chance of seeing gay rights for Spirits in the Republic of Ireland would virtually be gone, possibly for centuries. The Cork Clan is the largest and most powerful Clan on the island, and the second most powerful in the British Isles. What happens in the Cork Clan has major implications for the entirety of the British Isles and, by extension, all of Western Europe. Thus, what happens to the McDougal's has implications for all of Western Europe."

Nathanial thought for a moment, "So a virtual life-term presidency, with veto powers over any legislation put forward by the council. The council sets the terms for the choosing of the next alpha, be it democratic or force of arms. I assume they propose a bill and a majority vote on it gets it sent to the alpha. Can they impeach the alpha, or over-rule him if there's a unanimous vote on a bill?" Conor nodded, Nathanial sighed, "Well, that's good. I have some issues with the lack of choice on the alpha, I'd prefer periodic elections, even if there weren't any restrictions on how many terms he or she could serve."

Conor shrugged, "You're right about everything you said, and I agree, generally, with the idea of periodic elections. That said, we change very slowly. We live for centuries and have infrequent children. Most of the Clan complains about the elections for the council every twelve years. But the alpha can be deposed at any point, so there's not much point in frequent elections."

"Then what's to stop Geoff from challenging Rolph if Rolph overthrows the current alpha? If they have problems with him dating me, they can beat him in a fair fight. Or just get the law changed sooner rather than later. Lots of the younger Spirits must be exposed to the changing attitudes going on in the normal world."

Liam cleared his throat, glancing at Nathanial, "Stay on topic or pick a happier topic, please. Politics is not appropriate dinner conversation. Besides, when I lived there, the Clan was very insular, they were most eager to allow me to deal with the outside world so that they would not have to. Geoff, I am to understand you have a football game tomorrow? At what time?"

Geoff looked over in surprise, "At thirteen hundred? Didn't Faelen tell you about it? It's our first match, a home game, though. It's against a local school the, um..."

Faelen stepped in, "Millwood High. In Lower Sackville. It's a public school."

Avery tipped her head as she thought, "Lower Sackville? I guess that's close if it's 'local'. It sounds familiar."

Conor put his chopsticks down and got up to pour some wine, "My dear?" She nodded and he poured some glasses, "It's where the funeral was. Do you want to stay for it, or will you be going home tonight?"

"I'll stay for the night and send for Gwen in the morning. She'll want to see the game, too."

Garret walked back in with his arm around Nicholas' shoulders, he gently licked Nicholas' cheek as he left him to go sit down. "Sorry for the interruption, please, continue."

Nathanial smiled at Nick, "We were just talking about the soccer," Avery looked confused for a second, "game tomorrow. It's Geoff and Faelen's first match of the season. I'll be going to watch, and so will the McDougal's and Dirk. Do any of you want to go, too? Dad, Nick, Mike? I assume you'll be there, too, Liam?"

Liam nodded, "Indeed. I was aware of the match, already, but asking about it was more certain to change the topic of conversation. I have asked Dad if he will be attending, but he has not decided."

Dirk gave Walter a diabolical look, "He will, I'll make sure to convince him later." Walter seemed a little wary, embarrassed, and excited.

Avery and Garret looked surprised. Avery pursed her lips and focused on her food, Garret cast a beseeching look to the heavens. Liam looked very pleased, with himself and that his father was going to the game. Nathanial chuckled, "So, still no word on a permanent coach? Who'll be coaching tomorrow?"

Garret raised an eyebrow. Geoff swallowed a mouthful of gai lan, "Ms. Paul. I bet Mrs. Davis will be there, too, but Ms. Paul is the head coach for the game."

"You don't have a coach?" Garret asked as he scooped up some more chengdu chicken, "I could... well, check with the CEO, but we offer some flexible schedules for parents to coach, so I should be able to help out. I used to play and coach before I was married."

Nathanial could see Nicholas' jaw drop at the same time his did, "You what? Why would you do that?" Nathanial could see his dad playing, but coaching? What would he gain from that?

Garret smiled, "I coached some of the younger teams, as an assistant coach. It looks great on a résumé and for university applications. I played soccer, too, for similar reasons. It also kept me fit."

Nathanial chuckled, "Okay, so you did have some good reasons. I'm sure Ms. Paul would appreciate the help. She's a bit overloaded trying to coach both the guys and girls teams."

Dirk swirled his glass of wine around before taking a sniff, "This is a very nice wine, where's it from?"

"It's Canadian, from the Okanagan region in BC." Nathanial floated the bottle over to Dirk as Garret answered.

Dirk examined the label and took another sip, "I'll have to buy a bottle or two. Didn't Ms. Paul say that foot... soccer wasn't very popular here? I'm surprised at how many people seem to play it. Isn't lacrosse the national sport?"

Garret snickered, "Yeah, and good luck finding anyone who plays that. Hockey is the main sport in Canada. I played that, too, but I didn't coach. Interfered with school too much." He put his chopsticks down and leaned back, "That was a great dinner, Nathanial. I'm going to get spoiled by your cooking, very quickly. I might have to forbid you from moving out just so I can eat your cooking. Or move Nicholas and Micah upstairs if you marry Geoff so you can keep living where you are. There'd be room for Faelen, too." Nathanial ducked his head, blushing fiercely. Geoff laughed and reached over to take Nathanial's paw and kiss it. "I still don't like this idea of you or Geoff taking a girl to some dance to try to hide your relationship. I don't give a damn about how the Society feels, I care about how you feel." Avery nodded, but she looked a bit less certain than she did at the start of dinner.

Nathanial didn't answer, but started cleaning up the table. Walter jumped up, "Oh, the cakes! Liam, Faelen, can you help me get them from the front hall?"

Nathanial waved him back to his seat, "I got them. Do you want the bags, too?" Walter nodded and watched in awe as the table cleared itself and the cakes and bags floated in. "Do we want to have dessert now, or later? We can also eat in the sitting room or downstairs. I'd like to save the cakes for when Ella and Jay get here. I owe them a lot, but I can just save them some. There doesn't seem to be a shortage." Walter had made three cakes: the orange and chocolate one he made for Geoff's birthday, a lemon chiffon, and an apple cheesecake.

Dirk eyed the orange-chocolate cake, "I'm going to develop a pavlovian response to this cake, Walter." He slipped his paw unobtrusively under the table, Nathanial had to school his features as he 'saw' Dirk rub his paw down the inside of Walter's thigh.

Nathanial glanced at Faelen and thought to him, *Faelen, you better marry Liam quickly, or you might be step-brothers before long.*

Faelen chuckled in his mind, *I noticed. They both smell very aroused. I'm glad Da's found someone to play with. I don't think they're dating; Da hasn't gone out alone, and Walter hasn't come over, that I'm aware of.*

Conor glanced at Dirk and Walter a few times. Nathanial wondered at that before remembering Conor smelt pheromones the same way Faelen did. Conor cleared his throat, his ears a bit red, "Um, the cakes look very good, Walter. Geoff said he really enjoyed the cakes you made him. I guess Dirk enjoyed the effort you put in it; I think he really liked the topping. I'd prefer having the cakes later, I'm very full."

Garret stood up, the food and rest seemed to have worked wonders, he looked as fit as normal. He put his paws palm down on the table, "Then let's move to the sitting room. It has more seats than the basement. We can have cake later. Do you want me to bring the wine with us, or switch to coffee? I have other drinks, too. Lily didn't like having much alcohol in the house, so I don't have a large selection, yet."

Conor stood up, and held Avery's chair for her, offering her his paw, "I'll have some more wine and have coffee with the cake." Avery nodded.

Dirk drained his glass, "That's it for me, I've reached my quota. I'll have coffee, if you don't mind." Walter chose coffee, with an Irish coffee later with his cake.

Nathanial nodded, "I just put the coffee on, and the kettle. If you'd follow me, please." He led them through the kitchen to the sitting room. The moon was half-way up the sky and shining on the pool, as mist was forming across the lawn. Nathanial shivered, thinking of the night the Demons first attacked. He noticed a small scrying spell, the Agent's version, "Hi, guys, if this is Jay or Ella. We just finished supper so you can come over whenever you want. If it isn't them, go away." The adults jumped and stared at him before they recovered and sat down, "We're being scried on. It's the Agent's spell, I recognize the patterns in it, I just can't tell who cast it. I'd guess Jay, it's slightly different than Ella's or Arrie's. I haven't had a chance to really study his spell work, though."

Jay and Ella appeared by the door to the patio, "It was my spell, I'm impressed, Nathanial." Jay smiled and held out his paw, "Happy birthday." Ella echoed him and hugged Nathanial, making him blush. Ella and Avery both laughed. "To everyone who doesn't know us, I'm Jay, and this is my team leader, Ella. We're Agents of the Society, off duty." He was wearing a tie-die t-shirt and khaki shorts with a sand dollar hanging off a leather cord around his neck. Ella was wearing a slinky gold dress and an emerald necklace. Nathanial chuckled to himself as he noticed Garret's reaction. His dad's eyes briefly went wide before smiling and growling softly as his eyes travelled over her lithe frame.

Garret walked over and led Ella to an empty chair near his own, "Miss Ella, may I fetch you a glass of wine, or a cup of coffee? Or you, Jay?"

Ella laughed, it came from deep in her throat like it was half purr. Her voice was soft and sultry, very different from her usual 'business' voice, "No wine for me. I'm on duty in a few hours. Coffee would be lovely."

Jay lounged on the couch by Nicholas and Micah, "I'm good, mate. I'll just grab some tea when Nathanial gets some. Thanks. Yo, Liam-san, how's it goin'?"

Liam nodded, "It is mostly well, Jay. Nathanial was good enough to fetch us another Shadow Mastiff, and I have finished my project."

Jay sat up, radiating excitement, "No way! That's awesome, bro! Gods, where is it? Can I see it? This is so sweet!"

Ella shook her head, smiling, "Jay, we're guests. Calm down, dear. You can play with your friend later." Nathanial noticed he was without a seat and sat on the floor by the loveseat holding Liam and Geoff.

"Aw, man. Way to rain on my parade, sis." Jay leaned back in his seat and threw an arm around Micah, "So, Mikey, how ya doin'? See your gramps much?" Jay started talking to Micah and Nicholas, his easy going manner quickly drawing them into a quiet, but animated conversation.

Garret walked back in with a trolley with a decanter of coffee and several cups and saucers. He set the trolley up out of the way, and started serving the coffee. When he gave Ella her coffee, Nathanial noticed he let his paws brush against hers and linger a little longer than necessary. Ella smiled at him and thanked him for the coffee, but shook her head slightly. It looked like a 'not now' not a firm 'no'. Garret certainly read it that way, and toned down the flirtation a notch, but didn't stop. Liam walked over to the bags, "Dad, which bag?" Walter turned from his conversation with Dirk, and pointed at a bag, "Thank you." He pulled out a heavy looking parcel, wrapped in brown paper and twine. "I realize you did not wish for much in the way of presents, but I feel this is something you would find useful." Nathanial took it and his paws tingled as he held it. The magic in it was powerful. His paws shook as he used a claw to slice the twine and carefully unwrapped it. His paw touched a slightly pliable and soft material, like the skin of... his Shadow Mastiffs.

"Wh-what?" The paper fell away to reveal a grimoire. One made from the Shadow Mastiff Avery killed, "Liam? How?" He felt Snow appear in the house and walk into the sitting room. Ella dropped her cup of coffee, the china bounced off the white rug and onto the hardwood floor before breaking. No one seemed to notice.

"I made it." Liam seemed unperturbed by the reaction, even Jay looked awestruck and dumbfounded.

"Bro, that's a grimoire. A fucking grimoire. You don't just make a grimoire." Jay shook his head as he stared at the book. None of the Mages could doubt it was a grimoire, not just a big book, "Gods, bro, I know you can make salves and potions, but an artefact? You're an Artificer?"

Liam looked like he was getting a little annoyed, "Yes, I am. I never said I was not. Why else would I be asking how to make one? The Succubus Grimoire was not suited to Nathanial, and he provided me with the perfect materials to make a more useful one, so I made it. They are much simpler to make than I expected."

Nick shrugged, "So? Lots of Mages seem to have magic items. Why does it seem to be such a big deal?"

Garret was still staring at the book, dumbfounded, "An artefact is much more than an enchanted item. Enchanted items only last for a few days up to the life of the one who enchanted it. Artefacts are forever. Enchanted items can only have one or two effects on them, or the spells interfere with each other, an artefact can have many, depending on the skill of the Artificer. Any member of the Hidden World can learn how to imbue an object with supernatural effects, but an Artificer is born. Sure you need training to be any good, but it's not a gift that can be taught. That's why it's so rare, that's why grimoire are so rare."

Nathanial opened it up, looking at the writing, the calligraphy was definitely Liam's. He could feel the soul of the book welcoming him, and revealing tantalizing snippets of the secrets it contained, "Liam. I-I can't believe this. Thank you. I-I... How can I ever repay you? This must be worth millions! Literally! It's an absolutely unique grimoire! Did you get it registered, yet?"

Liam frowned, "Registered? Why would I need to do that?"

Jay sighed, "Copyrights, always a downer, bro. You, or Nathanial, need to pay up. We got to file a report on it, listing every spell in the book, and write up a bill to pay for use of each spell in it. If you know which books you got them from it'll be quicker." He cast a spell and his suit jacket appeared in his paws. He reached into the inside pocket and pulled out a sheaf of paper, "Here. Have at 'er."

Liam growled in annoyance and walked to the coffee table and sat down, "You may take my seat, Nathanial, I may be a bit."

Nathanial growled in return, "We're being spied on, or will be soon. The Investigators just started their scrying spell in the kitchen. Micah, disguise Jay and Ella, please." Micah nodded and Jay and Ella turned into the Marks' grandparents. Garret glared at Micah, who just shrugged. "Oh, Grandmother! You spilt your coffee! Let me grab a towel!" Nathanial was surprised he never noticed the spilt coffee earlier. "Grandfather, do you want any tea, now? I'll grab the pot while I'm up." Jay nodded and waved. Nathanial walked into the kitchen and grabbed some dishtowels and the teapot, ignoring the scrying spell. He walked back into the sitting room, summoning the key to the grimoire cabinet and placing the teapot on the trolley. "Here, Grandmother. Nicholas, can you get Mom's medallion from the safe? You may as well lock up Dad's wallet for the night, too. You won't be going out again, will you Dad?" Garret shook his head and gave Nicholas his wallet.

Walter looked confused, "You lock your wallet up each night?"

Nathanial shrugged, "Dad has several credit cards and a large amount of cash, most of the time. It's a precaution." He started towelling up the mess and picked up the broken cup. Ella met his eyes for a second and Nathanial nodded slightly.

Ella took the pieces, "Here, Nathanial, let me." She cast a spell and the cup repaired itself, Nathanial thought he might be able to replicate it, it seemed a little light aligned. A second spell got rid of the coffee stains, that was dark and something else. "Sorry about that."

"It's no trouble, Grandmother. Let me refill that for you." He walked over and got the decanter and refilled her cup, before tossing the dirty dishtowels down the laundry chute. He felt a teleportation spell activate.

Lara May and Gordon Ahjee appeared in the sitting room, the same two Investigators who checked them for Taint. Lara reached for the grimoire, "I'll be taking that. I knew you people were trouble."

Nathanial seized her paw with his own, "Paws off, before I add theft to the charges I'm laying against you. I have thirty days to register it, after completion, and it was just completed today. Now get out; you're trespassing and apparently spying. I've read the rules and regulations, you don't have the authority to just waltz into my house without a warrant, and since I got this not even five minutes ago, there's no way you could've got one."

Lara pulled her paw back, Nathanial let it go. She rubbed her wrist, "Assaulting an Investigator. I'm bringing you in, pup."

Nathanial shook his head, as Nicholas walked in. He walked over and took Lily's medallion from Nick, without letting anyone see what it was, "No, I don't think so. That wasn't assault, that was stopping a trespasser from committing grand larceny. Get out before I force you out. I'm well within my rights to use reasonable force to make you leave."

Gordon laughed, "You actually think you can take on two Investigators?"

Nathanial smiled, "Yes, but I hope you don't mind the dark. Well, if you don't, you will. One last chance. Leave. You're trespassing and are unwelcome."

Jay stood up, "Hey, calm down everyone. Just chill. No need to fight, there's children here. The grimoire is being registered right now, the papers are on the coffee table, so no crimes are being committed. You can just leave, no harm done."

Nathanial shook his head, "Trespassing, break and enter, attempted grand larceny, abuse of authority, and unlawful surveillance. I will be pressing charges. Should they resist being ejected from the property, I'll add assault to the list." He slipped the medallion into his pocket.

Gordon sighed, "You need to learn to show proper respect to your betters, mutt. Sit down and shut up, Wallace. Once we teach your grandson some manners, I'll be back to check you for Taint, like I promised. You're right on one thing, let's take this outside, mutt. I can't risk damaging the Changeling." He opened the door to the patio and stepped outside, with Lara following him. Snow slipped into another room and then appeared in the bushes on the far side of the pool. Nathanial waved Geoff back into his seat and smiled as he stepped outside, patting his pocket.