Chapter 748: Brunch invitation.
"YOU DID IT!" Nine wrapped all six of his limbs around her in a massive squeeze. He was trying to climb her the same way White did when he was craving attention or in need of comfort. "Master level! Suni, You’re a legend! A tiny, two-legged legend! I cannot believe it. What kind of job did you take on to level up so quickly? Ooh...the Rathunn ancestors are so proud of us."
"Nine... can’t... breathe..." Sunshine wheezed, her face turning a light shade of blue.
"Oh! Right! Biological limitations!" Nine detached himself, retreating a few feet and vibrating with excitement. "I apologize. I am simply... a little too excited. My throat is overheating."
Vortan stood a few paces back. He was the polar opposite of Nine_ composed, and wearing an expression that suggested he had personally invented the concept of seriousness. He cleared his throat, adjusting his collar. As much as he wanted to remind Nine that Sunshine had no relation to the Rathunn ancestors, he figured it was easier to just mind the business which had brought him to the shopping space. A name, that Nine had given to Sunshine’s space.
"Congratulations are in order," Vortan said, his voice deep and steady. There was a tiny sparkle in his eyes_ a lace of pride he couldn’t quite hide, though he kept his posture rigid. "Master level is a feat few achieve in the organization. Your efficiency was... acceptable. However, you still have a long way to go, this is only the beginning because becoming a grandmaster is harder and more of a waiting game. The required points are simply heaven defying."
Sunshine smiled, rubbing her ribs where Nine had squeezed her. "Thank you, supervisor Vortan. Honestly, if not for you pushing me and giving me some of those jobs, I wouldn’t have gone this far. Your faith in me is one of the reasons I kept going."
Nine did a little celebratory dance, his six feet tapping a rhythm on the floor. "Actually, I disagree! You would have made it eventually because you are stubborn. But without supervisor Vortan, it would have taken a much, much longer time. Like, centuries. Maybe millennia."
Vortan gave Nine a dry look. "Thank you for that incredibly useless clarification, Nine."
Sunshine winced, looking at all the food. She hesitated, biting her lip. "Hey, listen. My family is back at the house having a meal to celebrate. We have black hole donuts and... well, a parrot and a human are currently trying to kill each other on live TV. Do you guys want to come?"
Nine’s eyes widened. "A meal? With social interaction? I accept! I accept immediately! I hope you have sandwiches."
They both turned to look at Vortan. He looked like he wanted to swallow his own tongue. He shifted his weight, looking at a spot on the wall as if it were the most interesting thing in the universe.
"I have much data to process," Vortan began, his voice stiff. "And my presence might be... disruptive to a family dynamic."
"Oh, come on," Sunshine said, stepping closer. "It’s just food and drinks. You’ve worked hard too. This achievement is not mine alone, it is all of ours. My husband would love to meet and thank you both."
Vortan cleared his throat again, louder this time. "If you insist," he said, trying to sound like he was doing her a great favor.
Nine snorted, his multiple legs scuttling in a circle. "No one insisted, sir! She just asked. It would be your loss if you didn’t come."
"Nine," Sunshine said firmly, though she was grinning. "Shut up."
"Shutting up now!" Nine chirped. For the sake of free food, he would seal his mouth.
Sunshine grabbed Nine’s upper limb and reached out for Vortan’s hand. Vortan hesitated for a fraction of a second before placing his palm in hers.
"Here we go," Sunshine warned.
A heartbeat later, they were standing in the middle of the dining room.
*******
Hades and the kids were laughing their heads off, clutching their stomachs as they leaned against each other. Sunshine’s prediction had come to pass with hilarious accuracy; on the screen, Zulu had finally lost her patience and pecked Lisha’s nose with a resonant clack. Lisha’s outraged yelp was the last thing they heard before the show was abruptly cut off, replaced by a "Technical Difficulties" slide featuring a very calm-looking Bob.
Their smiles, however, faded quickly, replaced by wide-eyed, curious gazes when they saw the two figures flanking Sunshine. The room went quiet enough to hear the hum of the cooling fans.
Sunshine cleared her throat, gesturing to her companions. "Everyone, I’d like you to meet some very important people. These are my guests."
Ariel was the first to break the silence. He gasped, scrambled out of his seat, and marched right up to the newcomers. He squinted, looking up at the tall, stoic figure first. He pointed a finger at him. "Orange guy must be Vortan, Mom’s supervisor. He looks exactly like someone who gives homework."
Then, he pivoted on his heel and pointed at the six-legged creature who was currently trying to smell the air near the donuts. "And bug guy must be Nine, Mom’s friend."
Nine let out a sharp tsk sound, crossing four of his arms indignantly while the other two rested on his hips. "Excuse me, young human? ’Bug guy’? You make sound like an exterminator or something. I’ll have you know I am Nine Rathunn Raine, a repairman on the fourth level!" He leaned down until his large, multifaceted eyes were level with Ariel’s. "And you, tiny person, shall address me as Uncle Nine. I expect respect and, eventually, a tour of your kid squad that your mom is so proud of."
For a heartbeat, the family just stared. Then, the absurdity of a six-legged ’Uncle Nine’ demanding snack tours broke the tension. Everyone burst into laughter.
"I guess that makes you my brother-in-law, Nine." Hades chuckled, standing up to pull out more chairs. "Take a seat. Any good family of Sunshine is more than welcome at this table."