Page 143 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
Spokesperson Mettlebright sat, right there on his bedroomfloor, and offered his palms. “My name is Argent. I am here to confirm yourstatus as a beacon and to ensure that your personhood and rights are beingrespected. May I know your name?”
“I’m … umm … Joe.” He didn’t want to let go of Kip, so hedidn’t. “Joe Reaverson.”
Argent graciously inclined his head. “And your relationshipto Tami?”
“I’m her twin.” No matter what, Joe would always be pleasedand proud of that fact. With a little more strength, he added, “She’s my twin.”
Withdrawing his hands, Argent settled himself more fully,elbows on knees, fingers loosely nested. “I am in desperate need of basicinformation, so I am going to begin asking questions. Of both of you. If Icross into territory that is too personal, simply decline to answer.”
Joe mumbled an affirmative.
Mostly, Argent wanted to know ordinary, expectedthings—family history, childhood memories, educational background, propertyholdings, hours of operation. Some questions were decidedly odd, though.
“Do you associate the Amaranthine you’ve encountered withcolors?”
He didn’t.
“Are you able to divine an Amaranthine’s clan while they arein speaking form? For instance, would you be able to tell a red fox from a redsquirrel?”
He couldn’t.
“Have you ever seen foxes anywhere on the property?”
Not recently. Unless Argent meant his mother.
Argent cracked a humorless smile.
More than once, Kip wouldn’t answer Argent. He refused tospeak for Ash or to give details about Bellwether Enclave, its founders, ortheir plans. But he spoke freely and knowledgably about human politics, reaverplacement, police protection, citizen patrols, and the attitude ofadministrators in their county’s Office of Ingress.
The fox asked, “How close was the rogue?”
Joe didn’t think the question was as offhand as Argent madeit seem.
But Kip answered without a fuss. “One county over. Naroo-sohis in Fletching if you want a firsthand report.”
Argent’s hum may have been displeasure. But then he said,“Your hand, please.”
It took a moment for Joe to figure out that the fox meanthim … and another few for him to unsnarl his fingers from Kip. He’d probably beenrude to withhold his greeting earlier. At least he felt a little readier now.
Lord Mettlebright offered his hand in the human manner, andhis clasp was firm, like a good handshake was supposed to be, except he didn’tdo the whole shaking part. Neither did he let go. In fact, he went right ontalking as if they weren’t holding hands.
“How are the people of Archer responding to the prospect ofAmaranthine in their town?”
“Positively. I’d even say we’re proud. And that’s mostlythanks to Tami’s tireless advocacy.” Kip ticked off his fingers. “Local papergave her a column. She and Flootie—that’s her secretary—write it together. Andshe has the PTA and the Office of Ingress working together to offer weeklycourses at the community center. But hands-down, the thing everyone shows upfor is Bingo Night. Harrison Peck—he’s our school’s attendance clerk—runs theRivven trivia portion of the program. It’s made him a local celebrity.”
“Most of the town shows up,” offered Joe.
“Stick around until Saturday, and you, too, could winfabulous prizes.”
Argent huffed. “I will have to alert Twineshaft to the unforeseen—andtherefore untapped—potential of … bingo.”
Kip sobered somewhat. “We’ll get a better idea of what’s instore when Dr. Bellamy has his say-so. They timed everything so HisokaTwineshaft and his entourage will be on hand for the last day of classes beforewinter break. At that time, Dr. Cyril Bellamy, beloved president andAmaranthine in hiding, will come out as a Sunfletch to Bellwether’s staff andstudents.”
“Trustcaninspire trust,” said Argent.
Joe was sure the fox gave his hand a small squeeze. And cometo think of it, wasn’t he closer than before? Had he been inching nearer underthe cover provided by Joe’s lapful of squirrel tail?
But then Argent shared a little about his bondmate. Tsumikohad been similarly ignorant, not only of her status as a beacon but of theexistence of Amaranthine. Wrapped up in her studies, she’d entirely missed theEmergence. “Like yourself, she was moderately isolated and well-warded.”
