Page 13 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
Those famous eyes flashed with approval, and the Rivven’s hands moved. Again their palms briefly touched, but then he shifted upward to wrap his fingers around Tenma’s wrists. “This goes beyond courtesy to commitment. Once matched, this clasp shows that two people wish to forge a close bond.”
“Like being part of a triad?”
“I offer my loyalty. And whatever else you need.”
So Tenma eased his fingers around the Rivven’s wrists and murmured, “Please.”
EIGHT
One Shy
Despite his earlier reluctance, Eloquence was glad he’d come. This boy had needed him. “May I ask your name?”
“Tenma Subaru.”
He was definitely calmer, but obviously embarrassed. Retaining his hold on his classmate’s wrists, he lifted them until the boy’s gaze jumped back to his. “Nice to meet you, Subaru-kun. I’m Eloquence Starmark.”
“R-really?”
“Quite sure.”
“Does that mean you’re related to Harmonious Starmark?”
“Closely.” Quen nodded to the embroidered crest on his shoulder—copper thread glinting against dark brown cloth. “Dad’s the spokesperson for the dog clans.”
“You’re a dog.”
“Yes.”
“And your mother’s human?”
Tenma’s grip had tightened, but this wasn’t fear. If anything, he seemed eager. His scent had brightened considerably. Eloquence smiled. “Yes, Mum is human. She’s my stepmother.”
“I saw that special. The one with all the interviews.”
“Who hasn’t?” Quen rolled his eyes. “They’ve aired ‘Heart of a Dog’ every year since my brother was born. It’s becoming an international Christmas Eve tradition.”
“You’re adog.”
“Third generation. We covered that bit, remember?” Tenma’s scent was all over the place. “Hey, are you okay, Subaru-kun?”
But before he could quiz the boy further, Ms. Reeves called for attention.
“We’ll dedicate the rest of our morning to essentials. Let’s address a few matters of cultural diversity. As I said before, like a third of you, I’m a reaver. We’re an international community with no borders, and over many centuries, we’ve developed our own unique culture. Part of your curriculum at New Saga will involve learning about reaver history, traditions, and festivals.”
Eloquence’s attention strayed to his other classmates. Twelve groups, with Amaranthine representatives from seven clans. He’d fully expected the support of horses and wolves, but the phoenix was a surprise.
Ms. Reeves went on. “Although the extent varies by clan, the Amaranthine are generally known for expressing themselves in tactile ways. They seek contact. So let me remind the Amaranthine representatives that all of our human students are Japanese. Local culture will require you to exercise restraint.”
Quen’s gaze drifted between the phoenix and his boy. The pair must have attended the all-boys’ school just down the road from the Starmark compound. It had been the first to welcome a small group of Amaranthine students. If they’d been roommates since then, they must have transferred together. That was interesting.
He dismissed their reaver partner at a glance. Hisoka Twineshaft must have cut a wide swath through the lower ranks of reavers at Ingress, choosing those with diplomatic leanings. These emissaries of the In-between were a far cry from the dazzling set still being groomed by the mentors and staff at the Academy. Was it a concession to the risk the clans were taking in yielding their young?
“Another potential source of discomfiture surrounds the use of names.” Ms. Reeves began writing a series of honorifics on the board. “Please bear in mind that our human students are accustomed to being addressed by their surname. Only use a classmate’s given name with their express permission, since it’s intensely personal. Wolves, you might consider it the equivalent of being asked by a casual acquaintance if they can touch your tail.”
Soft grunts and a quickly-stifled growl rippled from the three wolf clan representatives.
“Horse and gazelle clans, consider the presumption involved when someone asks you to transform so they can ride you.”
