‘Decorating,’ I reply. ‘Many colors, balloons.’
He peers at the orbs and nods. ‘Bright.’
‘Yes. It is impressive.’
He lets out a laugh and then leans forward, pulling me into a hug. He has never done this before, and I worry that perhaps Dante will not like it, but when I glance over and see him smiling at me, I return the grin.
“Frennnnds.” I sign it too, since I know Luca cannot hear me, nor can he read the way my lips move.
Dante nods and winks at me. I like this flirtation. It makes something inside of me warm and makes my hearts flutter like my ears.
‘So how can I help?’ Luca asks when he gets the attention of Gia and Amara. They bring him in for long hugs, asking him about the expo, which he avoids communicating about. He has no intention of telling what caused him so much sadness on his travels.
I do not blame him. Sometimes speaking things that upset you only make it worse.
Dante has been worried about his brother, but I know sometimes it is better to keep it inside.
The door opens again, and a loud voice booms through the space. “We made it! The party can get started!” They are signing and speaking at the same time, their signs large and swaying.
I see Dante and Luca’s mother and father step into the house, large smiles on their faces. As I examine them, I can see where Dante and Luca get their looks. I shall examine them more to find out exactly what parts of them they get from their sires.
But for now, I shrink back, my hands folded behind my back, my nerves making my claws poke from my fingers. I do not want to frighten Dante’s parents. They are important to him. I do not want them to dislike me.
“Ah, amori miei—ah mamma mia!” Dante’s mother says when she catches sight of me in the corner. “Why is there a Vyastil in your apartment?”
She is speaking to Amara and Gia, but it is Dante who steps up.
“This is Cielo. He’s my friend. He’s staying with me for a bit.”
I feel we are more than that, but this is not the time. Instead, I just incline my head, making sure not to move too much to startle them.
They blink at me before his father shakes his head and steps forward, his hand outstretched.
“Hello, Cielo. Nice to meet you.” His voice is strong, and I stare down at his hand, unsure what he would like me to do with that. I unwind my tail from around my waist and lay it in his palm.
He stares down at it and lets out a booming laugh, squeezing it gently.
“Ah, sì. This’ll do. I’m Paolo, and this is my lovely wife, Maria.”
I nod again and attempt to say their names. “Meeereeea. Peeeepoooo. Frennnnds.”
Maria snorts, and I feel my cheeks heating. I did not say something right. I glance over at Dante, but he is too busy laughing softly, signing something to Luca. I see his fingers and realize that he is signing letter for letter what I called his parents.
Luca glances at me, his eyes twinkling.
I did not mean to make them laugh, but it seems they find joy in my mistakes. At least they are not mocking me.
At least I hope not.
“I love him. Peepoo is my new favorite name for my annoying husband,” Maria says, beaming at Dante, whose shoulders sag slightly in relief. Oh. They do not hate me, then. They love me.
Something blooms inside my chest, and I stand up a little straighter.
“Alright, well, the food is in the car. Luca,” she gets her son’s attention by waving at him. “Come help us carry it up. Actually, Dante, you go with him…”
I shake my head, stepping forward. Dante has been in too much pain. I will go for him.
“Meeee,” I say, placing a finger on my chest. “Go.”
