Auntie, please tell Daddy to stop giving so much work. If he keeps giving work, I wont finish and cant go to Moss Hill. Fiona sounded upset as she complained to Tori.
On her seat at a corner table at Duel Cafe, Tori adjusted the opaque pale blue and white crystal that was shaped and smoothened to fit in her ear. Your dad told that you dont like doing your school work, so it piles up.
I told you! Roberts voice could be heard from the crystal earpiece scolding his sister. Just do your school work every day and it wont seem like a lot.
But Im tired! I have so much to do!
Youre going to be five soon and your tutor only cos three days a week. How busy are you? Robert almost demanded of his sister.
Im very busy! I have to check on my chickens, then I have stamina training with Grandpa, the manners training, then I have class, and then dance. Afterwards, I have to feed my chickens again and read to Val!
You call looking at a picture in a book and making up stories reading?
Auntie Idunn says my stories are more interesting than whats written in the book!
Okay, okay, you both are very busy, Tori said, placating her niece and nephew. The volu on the ear piece could be adjusted and as their voices rose, she tapped on her left ear piece to lower the volu. The right earpiece was to raise it. Fifi, I cant tell your dad to lessen your school work. I know you want to co to Moss Hill, but you have to work hard for it. If you do your school work every day, you wont have to do so much on the weekends.
She heard Fionas defeated, dramatic groan. Im dying....
Tori rolled her eyes. She was glad that she was wearing an earpiece so the other people in the cafe wouldnt hear.
Fifi, its only for a few more months and then well co to pick you up. Can you keep up and finish your school work in a few months? Tori asked with an encouraging voice.
I might not make it.
Then if you dont make it, you cant go to Moss Hill. Auntie, can I bring my friend Vivi instead?
There was a horrified gasp on the other end. You dare abandon your sister for soone else? Youve changed, Robi! Im telling Daddy! Tori heard loud steps fading and Roberts tired sigh.
Robi, did you make a new friend? Tori asked. She could almost see the exasperated expression on Roberts face.
We have the sa tutor and hes also from Horizon. His family moved here for business, Robert told her. Weve gone into the city a few tis to explore.
Tori smiled, relieved that her nephew was making friends. Growing up as a noble limited ones social circle to similar or higher ranked families, and from experience, they werent always the best company. In addition, there was always a lot of security around them, so going out to play casually wasnt sothing that was done.
Find anything good?
So new restaurants. When you visit, Ill take you.
Thank you, Sweetheart, I look forward to it. Im sure your Uncle Ewan will be ecstatic.
Auntie, since you are bringing your friends, can I bring Vivi? Robert asked once more, and Tori leaned back against her chair and furrowed her brows.
I dont mind taking him with us to Moss Hill, but will his parents let him co?
Safety isnt an issue! There will be Guevera Knights and when were in Moss Hill, there will be OTuagh knights! Roberts voice grew excited.
But what about his parents? Robi, we cant make him co if his parents say no, Tori told him in a gentle voice. Ultimately, it is up to them and if we force it, it could upset his parents and make Vivi upset with his parents.
Daddy will talk to them.
But didnt I also tell you that the travel plans have changed? Tori kept her voice even and rational. My plan is to go to Karap first, as I have to visit a friend and attend his dedication ceremony to the church as a witness. Then, we will go to Tres Arcos and Presidio for a few days, then take a ship to Kings Harbor to visit our cousins. That was the original plan, but now, my friends and I are also going to Enda in Nord and will end the sea portion of our trip at a northern port, and travel by land to Gorask.
Where Auntie Ilyana is from, Robert said. Is that going to take long?
To Gorask, perhaps half the sumr, then well visit Buchenberg and make our way back down to Viclya. The journey north and through Osten will take the bulk of the sumr and Im sure that Vivis parents dont want him to be gone for so long.
Robert was quiet for a mont. Are you going to take us there, too?
Well, that was an option. Your dad is still considering it, as that is a long ti to be away, and safety is always a concern. He suggested having you and your sister end in Moss Hill then another ship would bring you back to Tres Arcos before returning to Presidio. When I get back to Viclya, you two can co visit and play there until the end of sumr.
But Ive never seen Nord.... Robert sounded as if he wanted to go, and Tori chuckled.
I dont think I can handle so many children at once. Marco and Mateo are coming with us to Moss Hill and if I take you two, Id have to take them. If I take them, then Ava and the others will want to co, Tori replied. That ans the nannies will co, and at least one parent per child.
Robert let out a heavy, conceding sigh. I know....
But, if we et you later in the sumr, after our portion of the trip through Nord and Osten is done, Vivi is welco to co with you to spend so ti in Viclya, Tori told him with so reassurance. Is this sothing you can consider?
I can consider it, Auntie. Ill talk to Daddy about it and let Vivi know. He said he wanted to go back to Horizon to visit his grandma this sumr.
Well, then, there we go. It may just work out better this way. We can spend so ti in Horizon, too.
Can we visit the orphanage? Robert asked in a hopeful voice. Daddy is letting make safety charms and Id like to give them out.
Tori lifted her hand to her chest and pressed against it. Her nephew was an angel. Of course, we can go to the orphanage. We can invite them to Viclya for a weekend. They recently ca for ice skating early this year.
Okay! Youre right, Auntie. This is probably a better plan. Ill discuss it with Daddy and convince Fifi, Robert told her with determination.
All right, when you get confirmation, call . Ill let you go, as Im at Duel and my food has arrived.
Okay, wait! There was a pause. Fifi! Aunties going!
There was so silence, then heavy approaching footsteps. An out of breath little voice panted. Bye, Auntie Tori, I love you!
I love you, Auntie Tori, Robert added.
I love you, both, too. Good night. Instead of sliding her finger across the comcry, she put her finger on the earpiece for two seconds. She heard a small ding and the comcry on the table dimd.
My lady, your quiche. One of the staff mbers at the cafe brought her a tray with her quiche and a drink. She gave them a small nod before reaching up to remove her crystal earpieces.
How are they? Henrik took a seat across from her and waved for a coffee.
Theyre working very well. Surprisingly comfortable for being crystal, Tori replied as she wiped the earpieces on a clean napkin and then put them into a small compartnt with a sliding lid build into the comcry compact. The call quality is very clear and it syncs up well with the comcry now that the compact has been changed. If Im wearing it, I can hear the dings when soone calls if Im away from the comcry itself.
Henrik furrowed his brows and looked at the modified device. Do you think three paces distance from the comcry is too little? he asked.
I think its enough, as too far and the earpiece will drain energy faster in order to maintain the connection with the comcry. The further away, the more strained the connection and the more energy needed to keep it. At three paces, the earpieces can last two or three hours.
But theyll be charged once theyre back in the comcry compartnt, Henrik said. Tori handed him her modified comcry and he flipped through it.
The compacts that comcry ca in were interchangeable, as they were designed to protect the actual crystal that facilitated communication inside. If they cracked or were broken, what was important was the crystal inside. That crystal could be removed and put into another comcry compact.
Anahata Island had created modified compacts that allowed for easy transition and had a compartnt for earpieces. In addition to the flashing ring, these new compacts had another crystal that made it vibrate with incoming calls. Tori had sought out a few people to test it at Axtons belated birthday party and the reviews were very positive.
Henrik nodded. When do you think we can go to market with them? he asked. Everyone Ive spoken to who is testing the compacts speaks very highly of them and likes the advancents with the compacts. They especially like that if they lose an earpiece, they can make it beep from the comcry to find them.
The amount of ear buds Tori had lost in her original world was so frustrating, she went back to using Bluetooth headphones that connected one earpiece to the other. They were just easier to find and were more difficult to drop accidentally.
Thats good. There have been so issues with raising and lowering the volu with taps and stokes, but once people are used to it, its fine, Tori replied. A tap raised the volu, a slow stroke down, like scrolling, lowered it. One could use either ear piece, but it did take ti to get used to. I think with this in mind, we can aim for mid-sumr and start with pre-sales during the Spring Festival.
Henrik made a little triumphant fist and nodded. Excellent, thats what I was hoping for. Having pre-sales will give us a good idea of what designs people want and will alleviate so of the rush in the mid-sumr.
Tori nodded. Thats what I was thinking, too. I want to try to keep them as affordable as possible and luckily the crystal pieces are just scrap crystal.
Dont waste any of it, Henrik replied. His coffee ca and so did another quiche. He reached for the fork beside it and it was suddenly swept up.
Thanks, Henrik. I was getting hungry! Ewan picked up the plate with the small quiche and used his foot to pull out a chair so he could sit. He shoveled a piece of quiche into his mouth as he sat down. Henrik narrowed his eyes.
That wasnt for you.
Was it Toris? Ewan looked towards her and saw that she already had a partially eaten quiche. She already has one.
Henrik tilted his head back. How is it that youve grown so much physically, but retain the sa habits....
I guess Im blessed?
That wasnt a complint. Resigned, Henrik waved towards the counter to order another quiche.
Ewan blissfully ate the quiche and looked towards Tori. Wheres Prince Piers? Hes always with you.
Tori gave him a deadpan look. Hes not always with . And his birthday is coming up and the official ceremony for his promotion to crown prince will be happening. Its apparently a long, complicated ceremony, so they have to practice, she replied. Thats why his brother didnt co with the club today. He has to be there, too.
Henrik raised a brow. Arent you supposed to go?
She scoffed. Why do I need to go practice? Im going to be a guest like everyone else.
But arent you going to be escorting His Imperial Highness like usual? Henrik asked as he was given another quiche.
Tori shook her head. No, the ceremony itself does not require an escort. Its mainly a procession, and I think there are so speeches and a prayer at the Horizon Cathedral. He doesnt need an escort. When hes greeting people at the palace, his father will be with him. At the most, I may be able to dance with him at the reception ball, and thats only if he has ti.
Henrik and Ewan exchanged silent, doubtful looks and then glanced back at Tori.
Are you sure?
Tori nodded. Im absolutely certain. I'll show up and eat and drink.
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