Peace when you are done

The Tea

Shepard POV

This is the best day of my life. I'm in a vampire's kitchen, surrounded by Speakers, and they have invited me for tea! I am so in!

I work to get a grasp on who is who. Baz's mom looks nothing like him. She really does not act anything like him either. I definitely want to talk more with her because she seems like she'd talk to anyone, if only to be polite.

"Mr. Shepard, if you would prefer a more American-style beverage, we could serve your tea over ice," Daphne offers.

"No thank you, ma'am, as they say, when in Rome!" I add a bit of sugar, following Penelope's example, and then take an appreciative sip.

Agatha's parents are flanking her like a protective unit. I hear people addressing her father as "doctor."

"Dr. Wellbelove, are you a professor sort of doctor or a medical sort?" I test the waters with my first question. People don't usually mind talking about their impressive educations.

"Medical doctor, to magical and Normal patients alike," he replies comfortably.

I think he's glad the conversation isn't about whatever his daughter and her friends were doing  in a America.

"I've always wondered about the training for that. Do you go to regular medical school? Is magical training a sufficient credential?"

Dr. Wellbelove doesn't realize I'm a Normal in his reply. "I must maintain the proper licensure for Normal doctors, so I went to Normal medical school like anyone. We can learn a lot of them, truly. Of course, for my magical credential, it's the standard stuff."

I don't want to ask further about the "standard stuff" and give myself away.

Penelope's mother gives off the same whirlwind of confidence and competence. They're both like tornados. She beats me to the punch with questions.

"Shepard, my daughter tells me you have some sort of curse on you?"

"Yes, ma'am, and I'm managing it fine to be honest."

Like mother like daughter. She's not the least bit put off by my assertion. "We should still take a look. You should come to my office at Watford. All my supplies and reference library are there."

I would love to go to this Watford place, even if my curse is hopeless. "I would be honored," I say. From her expression, I think mentioning "honor" definitely scores me some points. If I'm going to win Penelope over, I definitely need to win over her mom.

I look around the room. I have met Baz, Agatha, and Penelope's parents, but I wonder where Simon's parents are...