"Oh, I have some amazing conditioning treatments I make myself! Natural ingredients, a touch of magic - they work wonders." Becca's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "I'd love to share the recipe with you."
"That would be wonderful." Harper grabbed her bag from the chair. Her stomach growled again, more insistently this time.
"Someone's hungry." Becca grinned and linked her arm through Harper's. "Let's go feed that demanding fox of yours before she stages a revolt."
Harper laughed, surprised by how comfortable she felt with the casual contact. "Reyna can be pretty persuasive when she wants something."
"Trust me, I understand. Try living with a Familiar who gives you the sad kitten eyes whenever she wants treats. Lacey has perfected emotional manipulation to an art form."
Harper stopped mid-stride, her amber eyes widening. "Wait - you have a Familiar? Like, a real magical Familiar?"
"Mmhmm. A sassy little white cat with big, seraphic blue eyes, who thinks she runs the household." Becca's eyes crinkled with amusement. After a moment's consideration, she added, "and she might not be wrong about that!"
They both laughed.
"I'm so envious." Harper shook her head in wonder. "I've read about Familiars, but I've never met one."
Becca's musical laughter echoed through the hallway. "Oh, you'll meet her! Jake and I are hoping to have you over for dinner one evening."
"Really?" Harper perked up at the invitation, her usual social hesitation overcome by curiosity.
"Of course! We'll figure out a good evening - Jake's schedule is a bit unpredictable with his security work, but we'll make it happen." Becca's eyes danced with mischief. "Just last week, Lacey decided my herb-drying strings made the perfect cat playground. She batted down every single bundle I had hanging, then looked so pleased with herself while sitting in the middle of the mess."
Harper giggled at the mental image. "She sounds like quite the character."
"You have no idea. The other day, she knocked Jake's history books off his desk one by one, just to get his attention. When he finally looked at her, she led him straight to her empty treat bowl." Becca shook her head fondly. "And somehow he falls for it every single time. She has him wrapped around her little paw."
"That's adorable," Harper said, charmed by these glimpses into their lives. "Does she help with your magic?"
"She does, though sometimes her idea of 'helping' involves pawing through my ingredients or climbing into my books when I'm trying to study." Becca's expression softened. "But she also knows exactly when I need comfort or support. Familiars are incredibly intuitive that way."
"Speaking of food," Becca continued, "I'm thinking we should go to Kazakis Deli. The food is amazing, and you can meet Kester and Tamera. Tamera's a receptionist at the vet clinic, but on weekends she helps out at the deli." Becca must have noticed Harper tense slightly because she added, "Kester is Katerina's brother. And they'll be working, so it's a perfect low-key way to meet them. Jake mentioned you're more comfortable easing into social situations."
Heat crept up Harper's neck, spreading across her freckled cheeks. She resisted the urge to fidget with her hair, a nervous habit she'd never quite outgrown.
"We all want you to feel comfortable here." Becca's voice held nothing but warmth. "Besides, Jake knew how much I'd be able to relate to that. When I first arrived here from Salem, everything was overwhelming. Imagine going from a small Puritan village to..." She gestured at the bustling street around them. "All this."
Harper's embarrassment faded as she considered Becca's situation. Her own social anxiety paled in comparison to what this woman had endured. "That must have been terrifying." She couldn't imagine traveling centuries into the future, leaving behind everything familiar - family, customs, even the most basic understanding of how the world worked.
"It was. I had no idea how to talk to anyone, how to act, what was appropriate. The first time I saw someone wearing shorts and with their stomach bared… it was a jogger… I almost had a heart attack." Becca laughed at the memory. "And don't get me started on my first encounter with a television."
"How did you manage?"
"Everyone was so patient with me. They let me adjust at my own pace, explained things without judgment." Becca's expression softened. "That's what made this place feel like home - the people. And we want you to feel that same sense of belonging."
Something tight in Harper's chest loosened at those words. Reyna hummed with contentment in her mind, reinforcing their earlier assessment of Becca's trustworthiness.
"The deli sounds perfect," Harper said, meaning it with every fiber of her being. "And meeting Kester and Tamera while they're working does sound less intimidating."
Becca pulled out her phone, her fingers moving with careful precision across the screen. "I'll call us an Uber. I'm still getting used to these technology devices, but at least I've mastered the basics."
Harper tilted her head. "You don't drive?"
"Oh no." Becca's eyes widened, her fingers tightening around her phone. "Jake offered to teach me, but..." She shuddered emphatically, her thick ebony hair swaying with the movement. "The idea of controlling one of those metal carriages terrifies me. The speed, the noise - it's overwhelming. Even riding in them on the highways still makes my heart race, though I'm beginning to adjust better these days."
"I can imagine the transition from horse-drawn carriages must have been quite a shock."
"The first time I rode in a car, I spent the entire trip bracing myself to crash, but at the same time I was fascinated." Becca's laugh held a hint of embarrassment. "Jake says I'll get there eventually, but for now, I'm perfectly happy letting others do the driving."
