More time flew by, we celebrated Allisa's birthday; she was excited about her new outfit… Heck… She wore it today, despite the current things going on.
To be exact, we're going to meet the head of house Gabri. Allisa's… Great aunt and Melinda's aunt. An older catkin, apparently. Whilst the human head had no blood relation to them, we're meeting him as well. Customary meeting due to multiple things like Melinda returning and all.
James and Melinda forced me into a nicer dress shirt, pants and a belt. I wanted to complain since it was tight around my hips, but I stayed quiet. Of course, I couldn't complain about it… They would've forced me into a dress. It's fine that it's tight, if the other option is a dress then it's fine if it's tight. It's fine that it's tight, if the other option is a dress then it's fine if it's tight.
James, Verschund wore suits, Zephy, Steph and Melinda wore fancy dresses. Pretty much… I was the odd one out for the women. Which is fine by me…
I'm the only wolfkin here, and the only other animalkin is a birdkin…
Anyways… We got to the main central point, the towers that were in the center of Ard… Melissa and Derek were outside. Both were dolled up too, Derek had his hair sleeked back, and Melissa had make up to hide the wrinkles on her face.
"Mom! Dad!" Melinda somehow bolted to the both of them without falling. She pulled them both into a bear hug.
"You look excited…" Derek said whilst returning the hug.
"C-Careful…" Melissa let out, she sounded like she was struggling to breathe.
"It's been a little bit, mom, how's your breathing? Dad, how's your back doing?" Melinda asked after releasing them.
"It's better…"
"My back's better, sweetheart. How're you and the grandkids?"
Melinda nodded her head, and turned to us. She beckoned Allisa first, and had her hug both of her grandparents. Allisa kept her head down, but from someone who lived with her, it was pretty clear to me she wasn't as nervous as she appeared.
Eventually, Melinda pulled me forward, and these two looked like they expected a hug from me too.
I don't want to hug them. I don't want to.
Yet… I had to, they were my adopted grandparents in this life. I pushed past those feelings and embraced them both.
I hate being this nervous. When I got back to the group, we all decided to go inside the tower with House Gabri's logo on it. There was a slight jingle when the door opened.
Inside the tower was something different than expected. The walls seemed to have widened enough to look like a normal home; aside from the staircase directly across from us, it led to a high ceiling. Just seeing this made me dread my legs.
However, we didn't need to go up, there was audible firm and light shuffling coming from the stairs. An old catkin appeared from the hole in the next floor.
There were deep wrinkles on her forehead, long flowy grey hair, same eyes as Melissa and Melinda… and a mean looking snarl.
"Huh, even you three came to see me?" The old catkin lady at the top of the steps stated whilst glaring at Zephy, Steph and Verschund. "Mel, you're sick, you should've stayed home."
"Sister… I'm feeling… better." Melissa responded with a forced smile. "You… look healthy as usual."
The old catkin sighed and pinched the ridge of her nose. She slowly walked down the steps, her strides were slow. She stopped in front of Melissa and pulled her into a hug.
"Stop pushing yourself, you need to rest as much as possible… I can hear your lungs struggling to breathe."
"I wanted to see you…"
"I understand…"
The old catkin seemed to be focused on Melissa for the moment. She was visibly holding her closer with every passing second.
"Sister… You wanted to meet with everyone?" Melissa squeaked out as they eventually pulled away from each other. "They're here… My daughter, grandchild and her husband."
The old catkin turned her head towards us… She tilted her head at the appearance of me, and that's the only bodily change that happened.
"James, Melinda and Allisa?" With each name she pointed at the respective person. "The little runaway is here with her child?" I don't like where this is going.
"Sister…"
They really don't act like sisters…. Other than the personalities, they do look alike, just the older one well… looks more than a few years older.
"That girl ran from Ard with an orphan who couldn't get adopted. All because he wasn't approved by you and him— and to avoid the future responsibilities she'll gain." The old catkin covered her face and continued to glare at Melinda. "But if you're fine with allowing her to rejoin the family, I'll allow it. Little runt, orphan, and their child, don't leave Ard again. There'll be no third chance."
"And as for that girl, how did she join this family?" The old catkin finally pointed at me. "I never once authorized her to be adopted into this family."
"Aunt…"
"Runaway…"
I should probably leave. Just my presence was causing tension in the air. Melinda had already taken a few steps back and she was gripping her hands tightly.
Is it really that big of a deal? My heart started to race as the head glared at me. Am I going to be kicked out?
After a while… she clamped her mouth shut and pulled us all up the stairs. And eventually… she did introduce herself as, Medea.
For an old catkin in her late sixties… she was in good shape. The second floor of this tower, it was a living room and on one side she had some weights. A bookshelf consumed one side. This is where she lives, huh?
Anyways… She sat us all down where a gigantic couch sat. Then… she gave us a task as a house?
So that's the reason we came here? Just to get ready for the demi-god banquet? Apparently every time there is one, house Gabri does it. In all honesty it fits for the house that carries social responsibility.
In the main castle we have to decorate a ballroom, banners, streamers, and the works. Sounds more like a school festival than a banquet for demi-gods.
And on top of that- there's a dress code for men and women… Women we have to wear dresses… fancy and feminine ones too. Men… just suits that look fancy.
Why can't I wear a suit?! Actually… Nevermind, that would be uncomfortable… I realized that when I looked down at my body. These pants were super tight around my hips, from looks and how they feel….
"You, Yukina, you have to wear a dress too." Medea stated as she pointed at me. "I was already informed about your reincarnator status long ago."
Great… I closed my eyes and felt like I wanted to cry at her words. I don't want to wear a dress…they'll force me into heels too!Why am I being targeted too?!
"Just by the look on your face, you must be wondering why I'm singling you out, huh?" Medea tilted her head. "Simple, your appearance is too good for a random wolfkin. We can use you as a negotiating tool…"
I don't like where this is going… I held my breath and clenched my hands.
"Sister, can you stop? That's my granddaughter!"
"And? There are rules that must be followed and your daughter failed to comply!"
"You know, just because you never had kids yourself, you don't have to target my daughter and her family!"
"Mel, you know the rules!"
Oh great… The rest of us stuck to being silent, watching their argument. It seemed to be never-ending. Melissa and Medea never stopped until the former started to cough violently.
Then… with a gigantic finger to us, she pointed at us and commanded us to do what she told us to do. No one could argue… and the banquet starts in less than a month.