Dreamed This Up (Dreams, Book 1)

Chapter 9: Family "Reunion"

Two weeks later. It is now twelve weeks from the Race Day

One morning Rofin puts down his communicator. He had been talking in low tones while Sophie cleaned up from breakfast.

He called to her, "Come, please, never mind, I will" Walking over, he helped her clean up and then pulled her in. "Do you remember I mentioned we should go to see my family?" She smiles and answers, "Yes, I would like to. When?"

He grimaced, "In a few days?They have a gathering at the beginning of the autumn season, and asked me to come. They asked if I am bringing someone. Otherwise my mother will try to set me up"

She laughed and flicked the towel at him. "Just let her try! Did you tell them you are bringing 'someone'?"

He swept her up. "I did! I might have skipped over the fact that you are harac and not Rifan, but ... once they see you they will not care. I hope. After all, she has been after me for years to settle down. She wants more grandchildren. Although, considering my brother's brats I don't know what she is thinking"

Sophie looked at him with a raised eyebrow, "Oh? What is your brother's family like? Do you only have the one brother?"

He gave and exaggerated sigh, "yes, just one, thankfully. He is older than me by a few years, but acts so much younger, ugh. He has a very spoiled wife, she rules the household, and three terrible children."

She slid down, but held on to him, and asked, "Why? Tell me about them"

"There is Lisk, she is .... oh, about twelve, I think. The slow aging doesn't start until we reach about twenty one, until then we grow as you do. She is very bright child, but vindictive. I tremble for her future husband."

Sophie tapped his nose, "Go on. Many twelve year olds are terrors! You said there are three"

"Ah, well, then there are the twins. Milin and Pilo. Girl and boy. About, hmm ten of your years old. They terrorize small animals. And large Rifans. They are full of pranks. I do not wear sandals with ties when I see them because they always find a way to put knots in them, or tie them together!"

"Oh, you big baby. I'll protect you from the little terrors." She kissed him.

He shuddered, remembering. "Just wait until you meet them! ugh!"

Sophie laughed, "And yet you tell me you wish for a large family? I would think you are afraid of children, the way you speak."

He shook his head, "Ah, no, it is just those children."

"Well, my brave Rifan, let's pack some armor. And wear your low boots, no ties there!"

A few days later

"ROFIN!" An explosion seems to occur at the door of the large country home his parents occupy. "My boy!" His mother, Filan, has pounced on her son and is examining him. The father, Rotalin, follows at a more leisurely pace. "Welcome home!"

But Filan is already clucking in disapproval, "You are too thin! Your hair is too long! Is this slave feeding you properly? Why did you bring a pregnant one! They are not as efficient! Where is the fiancee you promised?"

When she stops to catch her breath, Rofin speaks gently. "Inside, mother." He kisses her hand, " I wish father to hear as well. Has Talin arrived yet?"

"Yes, yes, I already had him set up in the second floor of the East wing. You may have your older room on the first floor of the same wing. I prepared the guest room beside it as well, but where is the girl you promised to bring?" She gestures at Sophie. "I did not know you have a personal attendant now. Should I prepare another room for her? I'll tell Sukie to get another bed made in the servants' quarters and -"

"Mother, Stop. Let us go inside, I wish to so this all at once. Come, Sophie."

"You call her by name? She is just a chiv, I tell you, Finny, this slum attitude you pick up has got to go -" Still blabbering, Filan pulls Rofin towards the house.

"Finny?" mouths Sophia, smirking.

Rofin merely makes a face and gestures for her to follow.

In the house

It is just as Rofin had warned her! Two children race by, shrieking. They skid to a stop, and eye her curiously. "Who are you?"

She smiles, "I am Sophia. Are you Milin and Pilo?"

"We are!"

Just then another shriek echoes down the hallway, "When I find you two brats I will fillet you over a hot fire and feed you to Tulip! AGHH!!!!!!" A slightly larger girl tears down the hall, her hair cut jaggedly, "How DARE you 'play salon' with my head! AGHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I will cut your heads OFF!!!!!!!"

The three of them whiz out the door, nearly knocking Sophia over.

"Ah, what dear little children! Just as you and your brother were! Oh, Taaalin, come here please! and bring Huda, I want you to greet your brother!" Filan appears oblivious to her grandchildren's behavior and calls the adults into a large sitting area.

Noticing Sophia, his mother says with disgust, "Ugh, Rofin, must she follow you everywhere?"

"Yes, Mother"

"Very well then." and then carefully, as if she might not understand she says to the girl, "You may follow us, but don't touch anything"

Rolling her eyes at Rofin, who is suppressing a laugh, Sophia follows.

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hehehe, what do you think of the little terrors? That's supposed to be them in the picture. I'll add the rest of the encounter tomorrow. What do you think of the mother so far?