Let’s start with this gift idea. Eadric thought to Kal.
He nodded.
“Thank you Ellen,” Kal said, as they got up and left.
Stepping outside, they stopped on the sidewalk and looked up and down the street.
Gifts? Where would one get something?
They knew what gifts were, but until today Deo had been the one doing the shopping. Where would they go to get a present, not just food and clothing?
Eadric reached out to Deo.
Brother? Where does one buy a gift?
There was silence for a while as they both started to walk. They kept reading store signs, looking into windows.
“Jewelry?” said Kal, reading a sign.
Both men stopped to look in. Shiny things. That looked promising.
Eadric reached out for the door as Deo finally responded.
Many stores. Did you remember the money? Stores expect paper payment here.
Kal held out a large roll of green bills.
Yes, we have the money.
Both men smiled in accomplishment. They could do this human thing.
What are the gifts for? asked Deo.
Both men walked into the store and started to look.
We have decided on the surprise. Tonight, we celebrate Christmas. Everyone needs to be there, responded Eadric.
Now they just needed to figure out how to make this Christmas happen.
An elderly lady came from around the counter.
“Well hello men. What can I help you with?”
Kal held out money. “We have this. What can we buy?”
She smiled.
“Oh dear. You’re not from around here, are you?”
How does everyone know that? Eadric thought to Kal.
He shrugged.
“Alright boys. It appears you have part of the equation. The next question is what are you looking for?”
Wasn’t that just what Kal at just asked?
“Presents. What would you buy for your mate?”
The little lady’s smile brightened. “Oh, how wonderful. Congratulations.”
Eadric stood a little taller. His accomplishment should be congratulated.
“We have a wonderful collection of male jewelry over here. Are you picking out each other’s rings? I love the new traditions that shifters are starting to embrace, some human traditions and some of the pack ways.”
What does she mean, are we picking out each other’s? Why would I pick out your mate’s gift?
Kal just shrugged again.
They followed her.
“Now, how long have you two been together? Are you both more gold or silver? Men’s rings have carbide options and titanium as well.”
Why did she want to know how long they’d been together? Did she know of their world?
“We have been serving together since we were children.”
The lady paused. “Serving? You’ll have to excuse me. I don’t know much about the different packs around here or their customs. I’m just a good old-fashioned human.”
This was going nowhere fast.
“Why would men wear rings?” Kal asked.
The shop owner pulled out a few styles and placed them on the counter. “Well, to show their commitment to each other. Just like human men. Isn’t that why you are here?”
Kal and Eadric looked at each other and laughed.
“I am not committed to Kal, or well not in a manner that needs a ring. Our bond is far deeper. Our blood bonds us.”
The lady looked highly confused. “I think I made the wrong assumption. Are you two not mated then?”
Eadric looked at her. Could she not smell their mated scents were different?
“This is my brother. We have mates at, uh, home. We want to surprise them with special things.”
“Oh, I see. Well, that explains the vibe I get from you two. Very comfortable with each other, brothers. Of course. I used to be better at reading couples. I think it’s my old age setting in. Well, in that case, let’s go to this side. Are you looking for wedding bands? Human women wear a ring like mine once they are married. Or well mated in your case.”
She held out her hand, and both men looked at it. It was that, a ring. Women at home had rings as well for decorations, their mated mark and tattoos were forever. Still, Eadric wanted Lilly to have all the human things, all their experiences.
“Yes. A ring, then.”
She went to work pulling out a variety of rings in all shapes. Some were very large and shiny, others were small and more decorative. What would he get for his Lilly? His fire. The white gems, diamonds, a gem believed to be beautiful on Earth, but they were not what he saw her wearing. She was full of color.
“What gems do you have that are the color of fire? Red maybe?”
She smiled. “We have ruby’s if you prefer. Here.” She pulled out a few more.
There was a ruby set in silver that had intricate circles of metal around it. It almost reminded him of his tattoo now marking the skin of her stomach. Perfect.
“This one.”
The woman wrapped it up and went about helping Kal make his choices. Now what? This wasn’t enough. Kal handed over money to the woman who seemed to be highly surprised and pleased at their method of payment. Eadric turned away, thinking. Maybe he should seek out advice from this delightful human elder.
“What does Christmas mean to you?” he asked, turning back to her.
Her mouth puckered in thought for a moment.
“Food. Lots and lots of food. My Henry can eat and eat at the holidays. He even has a pair of pants he called his holiday specials. Elastic waisted jeans I accidentally ordered online.” She laughed.
As they pushed through the shop door, the lady shouted at them, try the Christmas Shop down the street as well.
“Thank you,” he said, and headed out.
3
Maddie and Lilly sat in the common room doing a puzzle. Another puzzle. Lilly might despise puzzles after today. She hated surprises, mostly because the ones her dad gave her always sucked.
Surprise, blood draw. Surprise, new deadly power. Surprise, the chip in your head was designed to kill you.
“When do you think Kal will let you start living again? Not that I don’t love our daily puzzles.”
Maddie laughed. “We had this same talk before he left on the mystery errand. He said once he thinks I look healthy. I’m thinking that is never,
