With Nics reassurances in her mind and his kisses still warm upon hr lips, Alice entered the teashop and looked about her. Nic lead her to a table, and even pulled out her chair for her, a thing which, in spite of her nervousness she was quick to remark upon. It was just such small signs of good upbringing her father would be quick to notice, when she introduced Nic to her family. For, yes, she felt certain she would be introducing this boy to her family. Of her mother she had no doubts; she would love Nic as much as Alice herself did. He father was a different matter, for father and daughter had always been close, and it was he who had always encouraged Alice to make the most of her education, who had been delighted when she was ushered into Ravenclaw, who had first introduced the possibility of study abroad. Her father would have to know that Nic was an extraordinary boy, for him to whole-heartedly approve of his dating Alice. That Nic was extraordinary, Alice had no doubt. That her father would see it was another matter.

And now she herself was to be under scrutiny, from Nics younger sister. Given her relationship with her younger brother, she knew that his approval or otherwise of Nic would make no difference to her whatsoever. Although she would admit it: she would rather that God liked Nic, it wouldnt make any difference to her if he did not. But Alice herself wanted to get along with Whitney, for Nics sake, and, to a lesser degree, for her own. For while she had no doubts of her love for him, and was sure, now, in his love for her, she was quite aware of the truth of the old saw that the course of true neer did run smooth, and she was determined to find as many allies as might be for the two of them. Whitney, she hoped would doubtless be such an ally, if she were to approve of Alice and Nics attachment.

And so she sat down and removed her cape with some little trepidation and looked around the fussy little room for the girl she was about to meet. She was not difficult to spot, not only for the brightness of her attire, and the fact that she was skipping over to their table, but by the striking family resemblance to her brother. Here, truly was a face Alice could love, for it bore the stamp of her own Darling Boy. She found herself breaking into a wide grin as Whitney approached and plopped herself into the seat opposite her brother.

You must be Ecila.

Alice supposed that if she must be Ecila, then she must. It took her the better part of Whits next chattered sentences to work out the derivation of her reversed name.

Very well, and I suppose I must then call you Yentihw, she replied, pronouncing it Yen-tiew.

..Of course he talks about all girls he snoggs, or shags, and he tells me everything, so be careful what you say to him. Of course no one believes what I say. Im a habitual liar.

The girls candor was fairly breathtaking. Alice found herself sitting with her head cocked to one side, gazing in admiration at this gaily clad, vivacious, not to say effervescent young girl. The comment about being a liar, she would have to hold under advisement. A question and answer session with Nic after this meeting, perhaps in a quiet room, just the two of them, between kissing would be in order.

Anyway. Mums going to like her I think.

This to Nic; good, approbation of a kind, but what would Whitney herself decide? Before Alice could open her mouth to respond to any of these remarks, Whitney had vanished under the table. Nics hug and peck were enough to reassure her that this vanishing trick was not altogether out of the ordinary, by which time the younger, but taller, girl had reappeared.

So shes not a mermaid. I checked. But Nic, but shes a might bit

Alice caught Nics negative shake of the head, but she decided to deal with the implied doubts directly. I am glad that you are reassured about my lack of fins, Whitney. I have never had any aquatic tendencies in my life, I am glad to say, though, if necessary, I can swim a little way, in the ordinary way. She flashed a quick smile at Nic, to show him that she was happy to deal with these somewhat strange implications. However, as to my height: it would be foolish in the extreme of me to pretend to be taller than I am. You would have doubtless quickly caught me out in the lie, as clever a girl as you must be. You will have certainly noticed as you were searching for signs of a fishy tail that the soles of my boots are quite thick. I find it helpful when reaching for objects on high shelves. Oh, and by the bye, your own boots are delightful and a wonderful choice of color. However, to the subject in at hand. I think I must warn you that Nic is somewhat sensitive on the subject; he protects my honour in this matter better than I do myself. I take it as yet another sign of his affection, and treasure it. That said, because I would not want to be the cause of strife between brother and sister, I will tell you this: My father is approximately five foot nine inches tall, my mother about an inch shorter, and my brother Godfrey, who is your age, last time I saw him at the end of summer was fast approaching five foot ten. Which, if you are interested in the exact differences makes him slightly more than one foot taller than myself.

Alice, sensing that Nic might be about to interrupt her, plunged onward, one finger raised in admonition, I hope you will notice, however, that as well as being short of stature, I am likewise somewhat slight of frame; in fine: I am proportionally quite within the bounds of normal womanhood, if somewhat larger around the hips than I might like, and something more that average around the bust to match. I am just small, Whitney, and there is nothing I can do about it, even to please you. Here she leaned against Nic and smiled. It s my great good fortune, however, that your Darling of a brother seems to like me just this size.

The partial explanation of the spawns and Him were made, and Alice made another mental note for future question and answer sessions.


Alice had barely had time to record this information before Whitney was off again.

So, is Nic your first boyfriend? Have you ever been kissed before he kissed you? Do you like Nic or are you just using him to gain social status, because honestly Ravenclaw girls are like down on the social latter, and well Nic, hes worked his way up by sha

Alice was thankful for Nics timely censoring of his sisters probing, and somewhat indiscreet inquisition. She doubted if she wanted to know exactly what Nic had done before he met her. Well, at least, not now and not here. If she were to make friends with Whitney, doubtless in the fullness of time, she would question the younger sister as to the brothers pervious involvements, if only to be ready to insure no backsliding occurred. Forewarned is, after all, forearmed.

Well, if we are to discuss my past relationships, I shall show as much candor in answering as you have shown in your questions, Miss Whitney. Nic is my first boyfriend, at least in the sense I believe you mean. I did walk out with a boy when I was younger than you are now. However, I can best express the difference between Nick and him thusly: He was an interesting young boy I knew once; Nic is the man I hope to know forever. You have asked me if I like your brother. Whitney, I love him with every fiber of my being. I think that should answer any other questions you might have on that score.

Having delivered herself of this statement, Alice turned slowly to Nic, and kissed him. Returning her gaze to Whitney, she said, So shall we order tea? Or would you prefer a lemonade, or perhaps some cocoa?