I looked up to see a pretty thing behind the counter. She didn’t seem too happy that I was pulling on Nevin’s hair. I stared at them with wide yellow eyes. I had to test this. I gave his hair another hard yank and Nevin made a pained noise. The sparks that flew around her intensified. “Ooo!” I did it again. She looked like she was about to do some magic.

“Is ok!” I said as I clambered off Nevin. “Rumour is the good now!” Nevin sat up and rubbed his nose, glaring at me with a tilt to his head.

“I was going to say that. And why did you do that?”

I huffed and turned my face away from him, taking the three paces it took to stand before the person in front of me. “Did you know…” I paused. “Did you know NEVIN makes candy and didn’t even tell the Eteri!”

I blinked. “Oh! You almost like him.” I said, reaching out to draw an outline around the girl in front of me no wait.. huh? “ I tilted my head to the side. “More than one?”

I turned over to Nevin. “Why not say have pretty in other store!?”

“Pre-pretty? I mean, you aren't wrong I guess objectively but Ezra-oh my crimson.” Nevin stood up and dusted himself off. Then he corralled me, arm around my shoulders, and dragged me over towards where the sparkly finger girl was. “Ezra. This is Eteri. She and I are something of an item, at this point. Honey, this is Ezra, she is my apprentice and watches the store for me when I'm in Radasanth.”

“Not Item?” I pat myself down. “Am Eteri you not good at word!” I turned to Ezra. “Eteri is the feels like…what was called? WIth the heart?” I tilted my head toward Nevin who suddenly glanced away, then to Ezra then back to the floor.

“The phrase means we are together, Eteri.” He gave me an amused smile that twisted a bit. “And possibly, I think you mean girlfriend. Special person. Love.” There was a blush on his cheeks.

I didn’t really catch the big howdy do about it. It was true wasn’t it? I nodded and turned back to the girl. With no sense of personal space I reached out and picked up her side-ponytail and watched it drop back onto her shoulder. “Is pretty - but also… what is this Ezra?” I pointed to her chest.

“Is what call you but lots inside? Just Ezra?”