Page 19 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
Akira knew full well that Suuzu would have preferred ‘other, more private accommodations.’ They could have afforded a large, quiet apartment nearby, but Akira had insisted that the dorm would be more convenient. And more fun. If he let Suuzu take him off campus every night, they’d miss out on mingling with their classmates after school. Or meeting students in the grades below theirs.
His phone warbled, and he pulled it from his jacket pocket. He’d sent out New Year’s greetings in the form of text messages, and he’d been getting replies all day. “Timur this time,” he said, holding the phone for Suuzu to see.
Timur was Isla’s older brother. The photo he’d sent showed the young man—sixteen now—striking a pose on a snowy mountaintop.
“Where is he?” asked the phoenix.
“He can’t tell us. I’m pretty sure it’s some kind of family secret.” The young battler had been away since the previous summer, training with relatives from his mother’s side of the family. “But based on that hat, I’m guessing Russia.”
“There is an excess of fur.” Suuzu had always shown a marked preference for feathers.
They cut across the student center, aiming for the elevators, but Akira’s steps slowed. “This is so unreal.”
No expense had been spared on the housing for this brand new educational facility. The central lounge that served as a student center wasn’t unnecessarily lavish, but Akira figured the extras had been pricey. Like the classrooms, every effort had been made to combine human expectations with Amaranthine requirements.
Elaborate skylights let in daylight, which bounced from polished metal disks and silvered mirrors into quiet corners and alcoves. A central fire pit crackled under a ventilation shaft, and tables and lampstands held fat candles or oil lamps. Natural materials dominated—rough stone, polished wood, woven mats—and sturdy couches and chairs clustered here and there throughout the space.
Most eye-catching were the living elements. Trees grew in tubs, and vines swung from planters along three levels of balconies. Akira could hear the steady trickle of water coming from one corner, and birds twittered. He even spotted a couple of really weird winged lizard thingies that had to be Ephemera.
“Wow. Is that an eagle?” he asked, pointing to a large bird whose perch looked to be cut from a good-sized cedar.
“Hawk,” Suuzu replied, lifting a hand in greeting. “She is one of the dormitory’s Kith guardians. Her partner is there.”
Akira spun and located the second vantage point. A lofty platform had been set up, and he could see enough protruding sticks to recognize its purpose. “A nest?”
“Naturally.” A shrilling call pierced the air, and the phoenix acknowledged the greeting with a dip of his head and demure trill. “The clans did not send their student representatives alone. We will see to the comfort of the Kith even as they see to our safety.”
Kith were another kind of Amaranthine, sentient animals that lived and worked in cooperation with their clans or sometimes with a reaver partner. Akira knew one personally since a large black feline lived at Stately House. Minx was partnered to Isla’s battler mom.
“Hard to miss the ones at the entrances.” Akira peered toward the east-facing door, which was flanked by deep alcoves. Today, the posts were filled by a pair of wire-haired wolfhounds the size of horses.
“Hmm.” Suuzu’s whole attitude begged for retreat.
Akira took the hint and headed for the elevator on the boys’ side of the dormitory. A push of the button, and the doors glided open with a soft whoosh of air and a barely discernibleding. Suuzu crept into the corner and sagged against the railing. Akira jabbed the button for the top floor, but before the doors could slide all the way shut, a hand cut in and the doors parted.
Another passenger stepped in, looming in the close space and eyeing them narrowly. Utter silence reigned as the doors whispered shut, and then Akira shook free of his shock. Suuzu reacted at almost the same time as they threw themselves at the newcomer.
“Juuyu!” Akira’s nose mashed against silk-draped strength as he was pulled firmly against their visitor’s side. “I thought you were in Europe or something!”
His best friend was tucked under Juuyu’s other arm, his cheek pressed against the lapel of a dark wool suit, his hair gently rearranged by a clawed hand.
An undercurrent of joy suffused Suuzu’s greeting. “Brother.”
ELEVEN
Coping Mechanisms
Akira ran ahead to unlock their room, knowing the phoenixes would want to be away from public spaces before saying more. He’d met Suuzu’s older brother during the two visits that the Farroost clan had allowed him to their island colony. A tropical paradise of birds and beaches.
There, Juuyu had always worn the flowing clothes common to the phoenix clan—draping layers, loose pantaloons, sunset hues. Today’s only concession to his heritage was a silken shirt, obviously of Amaranthine crafting. The cloth was as dark as Juuyu’s western-style suit, but when he moved, it glowed like embers, fire buried in a black opal.
“This is us.” Akira fumbled a little with the key, then pushed the door wide, stepping aside. “Welcome.”
Suuzu hurried in, but his older brother firmly steered Akira through next. “Allow me.” Juuyu shut and locked the door, then silently set about adding sigils.
Akira emptied his pockets. Suuzu tidied everything away. Akira plunked down in the middle of the floor. Suuzu hesitated, as if torn between who he wanted closer, then joined Akira to wait.
Their room wasn’t exactly furnished. All Amaranthine students had been allowed to specify their particular needs and preferences, and Suuzu needed space to transform at night. Akira didn’t miss the bunk beds that came standard in most dormitories. He and Suuzu had barely used theirs at their last school. The phoenix preferred building a nest atop futons each evening, then folding away their bedding in the morning.
