An Elementals choice

Chapter 19 Surprise

We arrived home to be greeted by Cody “how’s my two best girls” he called out standing at the front door. “Come help with the bags you lazy bum” called back Cassy. Cody jumped down the step and come over to pick everything up, his eyes lite up when he saw the lingerie label on the bags. Boys, I sign. After getting everything inside and taking everything to Cody’s room I started unpacking and sorting things out for washing. “Hay pipsqueak, what you want for dinner, I’m ordering takeout. Oh, it’s takeout Fridays’ it’s what we do” called out Cody from the other room. “Give me a minute” I called back. “Niall, come here” the elf appeared before me “what do you eat? Now that you are known to me you don’t have to eat the scraps that are laying around.” “My lady you don’t need to worry about me, I can make do” Niall bowed lowly. Oh, give me strength. “Branadon, do you need anything or the others with you?” I said knowing that he would give me a proper answer. “If you could leave out something sugary or creamy that would work for me. And some water in a bowl for the sprites would be good. House elves eat whatever scraps are left over after a meal but prefer sweets and cream like all elves even though they are of a much lower level, my lady” replied Branadon. “Ok, I will bring something for you all to share and leave it here in Cody’s room. I might be able to put a bowl of water in the front room next to the heater.”

“Niall, Branadon is in charge as he is my second so you will obey his orders after my own, I hope that is clear. Branadon as I don’t know what you are, I don’t know if my next request is possible but even if it is if you don’t want to you don’t have to. This is not an order, Branadon can you appear in the real? And if you can, can I see you sometime when it’s just us” I asked. There was silence for a bit and then Branadon answered me “I can my lady, but can I think on it some?”. “Of course, I don’t want to pressure you. Oh, we all need a code so I can comminate with you when I am with the others. I am thinking I can say ‘brr’ when I want to send a message to you Branadon and tap my thumbs together like this when it’s for Niall, and for a sprite I touch my lips like this” I demonstrate. “That sounds like a good idea my lady, is there anything you need for now?”. “No, I am fine for now so just relax, oh if Astra starts making me angry again can you help me to not lite up like a Christmas tree Branadon?” I ask as I leave the room. “Yes, my lady” called Branadon.  

“So, what are you thinking” I ask Cody. “Hmm, how about Indian I know this great place that delivers. They can make it hot or mild whatever you want” Cody says. Cassy “I want garlic naan bread, how about a 2 serving of Pakoras and Onion Bhajiya, 3 serving of Kathirakkai, Pudine Ki Chutney, Annanas ka Raita, Aloo Matar Rasedar, Palak Paneer, Sitaphal ki Subzi …” “Do you want any meat dishes” Cody asks. “I’m fine with all veggies, but can I get something sweet to try” I ask. “Fine Cody, I’ll get you a Bund Gosht and for you Leizi some Kulfi, Gulab Jamun and Jalebi” Cassy replied as she was typing out the order on her phone. “Don’t forget steamed rice and papadums for everyone” Cody leaned over her shoulder “and I thought I was ordering”. “You take to long” Cassy threw Cody a kiss and finished up the order “40 minutes”. “That sound like a lot of food” I remarked shocked at how much they were ordering and the fact that I had no idea what any of it was as I have never had Indian food in my life. They both laughed at me “don’t worry what ever we don’t eat Keith and Jet will finish off later. “So, Keith and … Astra won’t be joining us for dinner” I ask. Cody laughs “don’t sound so happy, na, they go over to Astra’s mum place for Friday night dinner each week”.         While we wait for the food to arrive, we argue playfully about what tonight’s movie will be as it can’t be a long one as we need an early night as we are starting early the next day. I finally get them to tell me what’s happening tomorrow and apparently there’s a two-day medieval event on up the country about 2.5hours away. First day is medieval and fantasy cross event and the second day is all medieval with battles and everything. That we will be staying in tents overnight and returning on the last day. It’s more fun to stay with the club overnight for all the late-night fun. Great I think so my brother is going to force me to mix with people. He does know that I don’t know how to make friends right, I think to myself.

There is a knock on the door and Cody runs over hoping to get the food. But instead, there is a 6 foot 4, lean muscled, ginger top male sporting a military short haircut, in full camo gear holding a bag. “Brody!!” screams Cody grabbing the newcomer in a giant hug and dragging the guy inside bag and all. “Brody!!” squealed Cassy jumping up to also hug this guy. I wait for the excitement to die down a bit. Brody is looking around as though he is searching for someone “Hi all, but where’s Jet?”. “Sorry bro, he’s at work still, he had to pull a double as someone cancelled on him. He didn’t say you were coming back tonight” explained Cody. “I got early release as was able to catch an earlier flight back. I thought the quarantine and testing would never end. But I’m back. I thought I would surprise my boy, so no texting him I’m back ok. I still want to surprise him” Brody took them both in a serious look. “Whatever you say man just happy to have you back on home soil man, Jet is going to be so happy your home” Cody can’t stop smiling. There was another knock on the door and this time it was the food.

We spread the food out on the coffee table like a banquet I grabbed plates and we shared all the food. Some was spicy some was mild some was creamy, but all tasted great. I snuck some of the sweets onto a different plate and took it to the bedroom “here you all go, enjoy”. Before joining the others back in the main room. I thought I was careful not to be discovered. But when I turned to Brody, he was giving me a weird look. “brr” “Yes my lady” Branadon responded fast as though he was standing beside me. I continued to look at Brody and then Brody turned his gaze back to the food. “I see my lady. He is watching you closely. He smells like a soldier” said Branadon. I give a small nod. I am going to have to be careful around Brody as his senses seem to be more heightened. I guess that’s one of the costs to war, continuous vigilance.    

Dinner drew on with everyone talking and catching up. The rain outside had started again, and Brody was beginning to get more agitated with the late hour and still no Jet. “Brr, I hope that Jet is able to return home without getting too wet nor hurt” I voiced quietly. “Yes, my lady, I will go check on him right away” and with that Branadon left the house to oversee Jet’s return. “It will be alright Jet has lights on his bike” Cody informed me.

Sometime later I heard Branadon “my lady your friend is on his way in”. I nodded. “Brody get up” I demanded. Everyone looked at me confused but Brody stood anyway. “Ok, what do you want?” he asked. “Come over here now, right now” I said standing just inside the front door. Brody went to stand there, and I walked back. “Ok lights out, everyone quiet, Brody arms out. NOW!”. And with that the lights went out. Brody stood there confused just as the front door opened and a slightly wet Jet came inside the front door right into Brody’s open arms. “What!!” escaped from Jet. Brody laughed and the lights came back on again and there they stood in each other’s arms. Jet had a look of shock then surprise then broke out in tears of joy. Cody nodded to Cassy and I and we all went into Cody’s room to give the love birds some privacy. As Cody passed me, he whispered “nicely done”.