Falling (repeatedly)

34- Family Dinner

Espresso follows Madeleine to the dining hall.

At the head of the table is Madeleine's father. Sitting around the table are Madeleine's extended family.

They look up when the two cookies enter.

Espresso is very aware of the several death glares directed at him.

Madeleine pulls him over to the two remaining empty seats. His father grumbles the same question as his mother. "What is that coffee mage doing here?"

"He was sent on the quest with me, remember?"

"Oh, I was convinced it was a nightmare."

Neither Madeleine nor Espresso respond.

One of the uncles asks "May we begin the feast now?"

Madeleine's father nods. "Servants! Bring us the food!"

Soon, the table is full of food. The family starts talking, asking Madeleine how the quest is going and if he's found any partner yet.

Madeleine glances at Espresso, who quietly says "They would kick me out, plus, we aren't-"

Madeleine gets asked again. He responds with "Well, yes, but they could not come with me."

Espresso hides his face with his hand. "Madeleine, you are an idiot."

They start asking lots of questions. "How nice are they?"

"Very nice."

"How short are they compared to you?"

"Uh.. I'm shorter than them."

The room is quiet after that. The only people here taller than Madeleine are his parents and Espresso.

But Espresso is the tallest, and the only one who isn't a family member, so everyone glances at him.

He looks at them. "Do you really think it would be me? That is simply preposterous."

They go back to asking questions "Do they take care of themself?"

"They are not the best at that."

Espresso starts eating some of the food.

A cousin asks "How attractive are they?"

"He is very attractive."

Espresso chokes on his food.

He quickly recovers, but a few people noticed.

Espresso hides his face with one of his hands again.

Canelé asks "He? You've been saying they until now."

"I do not remember saying he."

"Well, you did. Does your partner use multiple pronouns?"

"No."