Page 54 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
Akira offered a re-do, but his new friend shook a finger. “Next time. And I’m sorry to keep you.” Cocking his thumb over his forefinger, Rafter pointed at Sinder, who waved. “He’s your buddy?”
“My friend, yes.”
“Good guy. I met him earlier.” Stepping back, Rafter added, “Come see me anytime, Akira. I mean it. For anything.”
“I will. Thank you, Rafter.”
When Akira caught up to Sinder, the dragon was reaching for his phone.
“How late are we?” Checking the display, he grimaced. “Okay. Work with me on this. We’re blaming the fog.”
“You can’t tell time by the sun if you can’t see it?”
“Exactly.” Sinder lifted his chin toward the man he’d been talking to. “At this point, what’s ten more minutes? Akira, meet Buzz.”
Though the introductions were brief—by clan standards—Buzz knew how to posture. Either he was an enclave-bred reaver or an Amaranthine who wasn’t living openly. Akira leaned toward the latter. “Where is Red Rooster Farm?” he asked.
“An easy drive up the coast.” Buzz was soft-spoken, and his gaze had a dreamy quality. “We’re part of a big co-op. Orchards. Vineyards. And all this market fare.”
Akira glanced around. Fresh produce was being displayed alongside cartons of eggs, homemade jellies, and jars of honey. “Maybe we can visit?”
Buzz smiled. “You’d be welcome.”
“Permission, though?” Sinder shook his head. “We can ask. That never hurts. I’ll get back to you on it, Buzz. Now, we really need to catch the next trolly.”
Hooking Akira’s arm, Sinder set off at a brisk pace.
“Is Red Rooster Farm an enclave?” Akira asked in an undertone.
“It is, but it’s undisclosed.”
“Do they know about Zuzu?”
“Buzz certainly does. Buuut, it’s best to assume the rest are only there to sell heirloom tomatoes and sun-ripened guacamole fixings.” Pointing to a TROLLY sign at the end of the block, Sinder urged, “Pay attention to the route. You’ll have to return on your own.”
“I can handle it.”
“Oh, I know.” Sinder spared him a sympathetic look. “But I’m under orders. And all of them have threats attached. So feel free to tune me out, but I want to be able to report back with a clear conscience. Yes, I showed him the way. Yes, I explained about currency. Yes, his manners are excellent. Yes, he’s eating his vegetables.”
Akira snorted his way into laughter.
Sinder grinned and rolled his eyes. “I might even earn extra points if we hold hands while crossing the street.”
Without hesitation, Akira offered his hand.
“You’re really a good sport.”
“They worry about me because they care. How can I complain?”
“I’d complain.”
Akira gave his hand a squeeze. “Wouldn’t that just worry them more?”
With a resigned shrug, Sinder admitted, “You’re totally right. It would.”
The trolly let them off on the same block as the Amory Fine Arts Center.
“Think you can handle that?” Sinder asked innocently.
