Debbie walked out and stared openly at the other woman for a while, long enough that it became uncomfortable.
With a soft sigh, she nodded firmly.
“Would you be Terlee? Tor's mentioned you a few times. Seems to feel we look a bit alike. If so I should take it as a compliment, you're gorgeous.” The look she gave him was apologetic.
“Sorry I doubted you Tor.”
It was a simple statement, one that no one else got. That was fine, now that he saw them side by side he saw the differences, not the similarities anyway. He smiled and then went to give his sister a hug.
“Right, so, everyone, this is my sister, Tamerlane Baker-” Tor stopped when his sister held out her left hand. It had a large and glittering ring on the correct finger Tor noticed nearly instantly.
“Tamerlane Thomson now. You should visit home more Tor. Totally missed my wedding and why? So you could fight with some assassins? Silly reason you know. Didn't even send a gift. Not even a note?” She shook her head sadly, but Tor picked her up into a big hug, making a whooping sound.
“Congratulations!” The wedding had been planned for a year out from the betrothal, but it was close, he wondered why they'd rushed it for a minute then swallowed. Oh. He looked down but didn't check her field, it wasn't his business. He did kiss her cheek, which made her blush.
So she'd need baby stuff, probably a full kitchen set up, well, her servants would… he didn't know what else. Tovey had nice houses already so that wasn't needful… Right, magic clothing, that was useful. Even Kolb had grabbed one of those for each of his people. As soon as Tor reminded him it was part of the new secret groups allowance, getting things from him when they wanted.
“Alright then, so everybody, my sister Tamerlane, Countess Thomson. This mountain you ran into and hugged already is Debbie's brother Box, don't worry, I'm sure he enjoyed it. Debbie is my good friend, and owns the bakery and the magic device shop through the door there, where we'll go in a minute. Kari here — have you met?”
Terlee looked at the girl and shook her head gently.
“I don't think so.”
Karina dimpled and winked, “Oh sure we have! Last night even. Though a few other times too. I'm usually dressed nicer, tend to be at parties with the royal family…” The look on her face was the kind used to lead a person to an obvious conclusion.
“Oh! Princess Karina! Kari? I see. Good to see you working. Mom's always going on about how growing up royal can spoil a child forever, but your brother seemed all right when we've met. This will hearten her greatly to hear.”
As if he'd just introduced a coworker she switched her attention to Ali almost immediately. The girl curtsied and laughed.
“I'm your niece!” She said, with a cheery tone.
“S'wha?” Terlee said reverting instantly.
Tor nodded and explained, then dropped into home speech and gave the whole story quickly.
“So, Grandpa set me up, probably knowing that it was a good idea. It's not official yet, but if you'd treat her like family, it would be good, no matter what happens. She feels so all alone right now.”
Terlee didn't wait, running over to the girl and giving her a familial hug.
“Welcome to the family Alissa! You're all coming to dinner at my house tonight.” She announced.
“Can't sis, sorry, I have to get with the King about some things. Could we do it tomorrow night? I can give you these two for the evening though, if you’re interested. If not that's fine too, I'm sure-” Terlee shook her head and frowned at him her face managing to be playful even if only he got it.
“They're family Tor, of course they can come. Alissa, Karina, please plan on staying the night. Tor, everyone else will be by soon no doubt, do I send them here or, where?”
Everyone else?
The whole family? More, they'd all gotten to go to the King’s party the night before, except the littlest ones. They were in Two Bends with Taler and his family, his oldest brother. Who had apparently decided to not have anything to do with all the noble nonsense at all. So the youngest here was Timon, who liked to be called Weasel now, if that hadn't changed in the last year, half year, since he'd seen him. That wasn't too bad, six months. He'd have to get by and see the others soon though. The littlest wouldn't even recognize him anymore he bet.
“My house, um, by the river, palace looking thing? Near a mountain of waterfalls? Can't really miss it, only place out there like it. I don't know when I'll be in tonight, dinner is at nine though, early tomorrow I'll be here again.”
It wasn't very clear, but it was about the best he could manage on short notice.
Before she left he grabbed a basket and let her pick out anything she wanted from the store next door, asking Debbie to write up a bill for it. That way the gift would be from him, not the store itself. Terlee hesitated and finally picked one thing, blushing, a new bed. Smiling Tor asked for the basket and started loading it up with one of everything and two of a few, so Tovey could have one too. A bunch of lights as well. Everyone not blind needed light after all, as he was still far more acutely aware than he would have been half a year before. Terlee blushed at all the gifts, but took them. They were family, so she had to, and really, it wasn't like it put him out or anything, even paying retail for them.
“There, now, I'll see you in a few days, tops. Alright?”
She ducked her head as if she were sixteen again and still a shy and retiring flower, instead of the nearly confident Countess she'd become. Ali was thrilled though and wanted to go buy something for her, as a visiting gift. It seemed reasonable to Tor, but he didn't know the rules for things like that. Karina did and wrinkled her nose at him.
“I'll take her around this afternoon to look for things. Newlyweds, so the rule is for things useful to the home or bedroom. You gave her one of those excellent beds, so… Really Tor, I'm almost certain you don't want to know what I'm thinking…. But Ali's your daughter, or nearly, so it should come out of her allowance. I get five gold a month.”
Ah. Tor had more than that at the store, just from the previous days sales even after Terlee's gifts. He handed the coins over to his daughter to be, and decided that thinking of her as the short busty girl had to go as well. She had a cute face, and wasn't over tall, but then he didn't even know her age. He kept thinking sixteen, but didn't know for certain, Tor had never questioned his initial assumption on that score, and that was based on Karina's age more than anything.
Tor asked, which made her look at him nervously.
“Um, thirteen, I think. Maybe fourteen, I'm not really sure. I left home at eleven, I remember that. We just happened to be here then. I… I…Alissa isn't my real name.” The words came out afraid, almost a sob.
Tor looked at her and tilted his head just a bit.
“Oh? What is it?” Ali was as fine a name as any if she liked it, but this seemed important to her. A sound came from the back, Davie coming out with a tray of hand pies for the shop, the ones for Tor having been cooling for hours.
“Gretchen.” She said softly staring at the tall boy. “My real name is Gretchen Derring.”
Tor spun as the tray of hand pies David had been holding, a large flat metal sheet, tumbled to the floor with a loud clang. Hand pies, berry by the red smears nor all over the floor. A shame, they smelled really good, Tor noticed. The nearly seven foot tall Countier stared at her, not moving, not even breathing for a few moments.
“Gretchen? I… didn't recognize you. Do… do you remember me?” He spoke softly, his voice gentle and calm. As if she was deranged or something.
Ali, Gretchen, nodded.
“I remember it all. Everything. You're my brother Davie. I didn't recognize you either, until I heard the name, you got so tall. Way taller than… him. I knew Jerral when I saw him, which is why I wouldn't, you know, have sex with him. Didn't want to. He didn't know me though. Couldn't see past the breasts I think. I used to be so flat.” Her voice had gone shocky and toneless, her face pale and emotionless until that broke suddenly.