<Are all the meals this quiet?>
Coleman looked around at the casual conversations taking place and nodded. Yes, why do you ask?
<In the caf you wouldn’t be able to hear yourself think with this many people.>
He hadn’t realized it before, but Vincent was right. I think it’s the absence of men.
<Why?>
Coleman shrugged. Men, especially those in their late teens, are competing to be the biggest and the best. Just like a rooster crowing to show he’s the cock-o-the-walk.
<I never thought of it that way, but I think you’re right.>
Coleman chuckled and shook his head.
Jolie leaned forward next to him and spoke to Sari on his other side. ‘Does he do this all the time?’
Sari grinned. ‘Jule said it used to be much worse.’
‘Hey. Sitting right here you know.’ He leaned back and waved his arms, looking at them with a half-smile. ‘Don’t let her fool you, Jolie, she was just as bad except she did this…’ Coleman stared at the far end of the hall above his mother’s head with his mouth half open. Jolie started to chuckle. Sari poked him in the side with her finger. He squirmed. ‘Don’t even get me started on the drool.’
‘Drool? Why you —’ Another poke made him jump.
Everyone at the table smiled, and the meal continued. Coleman sensed Vincent’s unasked questions like an itch at the back of his mind.
‘Pardon me, everyone.’
The group stopped chatting and looked his way.
<What are you doing?>
What you really want but aren’t asking.
<No, Coleman it’s — >
He felt Vincent’s embarrassment but pressed on. They were in his body now. ‘Sorry to corner the conversation. Though I’ve told Vincent about the Realm, he still wondered what it would be like. Now that he’s here, perhaps we can all share the Realm with him.’ He smiled and shrugged.
‘No, it’s we who should apologize,’ Robert said. ‘We are so happy to have Coleman back safely, and joyous over the Binding in the morn’, that we have forgotten that you’re a stranger here.’
His apprehension eased, thankfully. It might be Colman’s body, but it was also more difficult handling all the multiplied emotions.
Heads nodded around the table. ‘You’ve got a wonderful assortment of society. What would you like to know?’ the Matriarch asked.
The combination of Coleman’s smile mixed with Vincent’s, raised eyebrows from everyone except Sari, who knew it well. ‘Well, this system of Novice —’
For the next several hours, they spoke of the Realm, answering every question Vincent could think of, and brought up topics he’d never considered.
‘So tattoos for brides and pierced ears for the grooms?’
‘‘Tis true, but only the one ear.’ Robert flicked the circle of gold through his, and Frances showed the back of her neck.
‘That kind of looks like Korean script. They’re a nation of people in Vincent’s world.’
‘It is the word “Bound”,’ the Matriarch said.
‘Tattoos.’ Jolie’s eyes widened. ‘I won’t be able to get mine tomorrow.’
Sari’s mouth opened and then shut. The movement caught Coleman’s eye, and his heart skipped a beat. What was she going to say?
‘Then we shall have it done tonight, right now in fact.’ The Matriarch shrugged and raised an eyebrow. ‘Being Matriarch has some advantages after all. Khari.’ She looked for the woman, but Khari was already crossing the room.
Khari turned. ‘On my way to get the tattooist.’
The Matriarch smile and said, ‘Remind me never to promote her. She’s too handy to have around.’ Laughter flowed from the group.