Chapter 3 - A Perfect Day

The sun shone down on San Myshuno, as bright and sunny as Emilia’s disposition as she led the twins through the rickety stalls of the flea market. This was one of her favourite things to do on a Saturday – to leave Glimmerbrook behind, take them through to San Myshuno, and find something that was happening there. The chairs and lamps that were being hawked held no interest to her, but being able to bring Rhea and Marcus here was priceless. Flea markets were useful to a spellcaster, and as she sat down she spotted a whole table of crystals she could use for her potions. 

“See, kids? Isn’t this great?” she asked, beaming. “Wait here, I’ll bring us back something to eat.”

Marcus opened his mouth to disagree, but Rhea was already off like a shot to try the pho. For Rhea, the best thing about these trips were the food stalls of San Myshuno, and she wasn’t about to miss out. 

When Emilia returned, she set down a fresh siapao in front of Marcus, smiling at him. He picked it up, and relented, taking a small bite.

“Mom, how come you like it here?” he asked, between nibbles. She looked around and waved a hand.

“How could I not? Marcus, the culture here is unlike anywhere else. It’s wonderful. Everything here is beautiful and full of life." 

Everything did seem more alive. People gathered on the benches around them, and even his mother seemed to be pulled from her funk into a perky mood. Behind them, the fountain trickled sweet smelling water, the stone elephant gazing into nothing. He'd been here many times before, but while usually he'd look forward to going home or occupy himself wishing it was GeekCon, he could, for perhaps the first time, see why his mother liked it so much.

His mother went off to bargain with the crystal vendor, who greeted her by name and with a smile, and Rhea returned with her bowl of pho, wincing as she ate and struggling with her chopsticks. 

“They made it wayyyyy too spicy this time.” She dragged the word out, and then blew on the pho. “I mean, not that I can’t handle it.”

He almost wanted to ask her for a minute, to open his mouth and ask, Rhea, do you think Mom is happy? But the words refused to move off his tongue, and instead, he focused on his own food, brow furrowed. The siapao was absolutely delicious, and he offered a small bite to his sister, who took it gratefully.

“Hey, Marcus?” she asked, once she was almost done. “Is something wrong?”

He hesitated, but shook his head, not wanted to go into it. Mom couldn’t really be unhappy, he was sure of it. She might look worried a lot, but that was just Mom. His thoughts were, however, interrupted by a cheerful voice. 

“Kiddos! It’s been a while, huh? God, you make me feel old.”

A pale teenager stood in front of them, grinning, her blonde hair in a loose ponytail over one shoulder. Rhea shrieked with delight.

“Ava!”

“One and only. How’s it going, Charm spawn?” She came to sit with them, setting down a plate of spicy curry. “Did you come for the grub, too?”

“Yeah, pretty much.” Marcus smiled. “Did you try the siapao yet?”

“Nah, I’m here for the spicy stuff. You know, it’s actually pretty hot today. I think the vendors are trying to see how many people they can get with the secretly spicy stuff. Either that or they’re trying to get a better rating. Sheesh.” She still ate a forkful. “So how are my favourite little demons?”

Ava Faba was Sage Faba’s only child, and one of Marcus and Rhea’s favourite people. At gatherings, she never acted in the way she was meant to – instead, she would come and treat them like she was babysitting them, and ask them how school was. Whether she knew it or not, both twins idolised her and were delighted to see her.

“We’re good!” Rhea smiled up at her.

“Should have known you’d be here, considering who I came with. Mom volunteered me to help your old lady with her ingredients purchases.” Ava rolled her eyes. “Man, she thinks she’ll haggle the right spices here, but I tell you, it’s vicious trying to get hold of the right stuff.”

The twins exchanged confused looks.

“Our mom?” Rhea asked, slowly.

“Nah.” Ava nodded her head over to a stall, where Minerva stood a little way away, her sharp eyes running over the market. “Minerva asked for some help--”

“Grandmother!” Rhea leapt up, running towards Minerva happily and leaving her brother behind. Minerva gathered her in a hug, smiling gently down at her.

“Little Rhea! What an unexpected delight.” She looked around. “And where is everyone – ah, your brother is there and…”

“Hello, Minerva!” Emilia’s cheery tone cut through the noise. “Rhea, don’t run off like that.” She had her crystals stowed in her bag, and was walking quickly towards Minerva. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Oh, I come here sometimes for my potions. You know how it is with the trickier ones.” She tutted. “No rest for the wicked.”

“Indeed.” Emilia smiled, innocently, feeling a slight satisfaction in the irked expression she saw briefly flash over her mother-in-law’s face.

“So, how often do you bring Rhea and Marcus here?” Minerva asked. Emilia kept smiling.

“Oh, whenever we have the time. The food’s lovely here, and...the crystals can be quite a bargain.”

Minerva tilted her head. “Really? I find some of them can be quite overpriced. You’re lucky to be finding the bargains then. And you do this often?”

“Yes, I…” Emilia could feel herself faltering. “I like bringing them here. San Myshuno is such a wonderful place.”

“Oh, Sage Faba speaks highly of it. Not of the little markets like this, of course, but the city itself is quite wonderful. These places really are only useful to find potion ingredients.”

“Well, it’s a good thing that the children are enjoying themselves, isn’t it?” she asked, quietly, looking back at Minerva. Somehow, despite the sunshine she felt cold, and as though every bit of happiness had left the day. If only they hadn’t run into each other. She hadn’t known Minerva came to the markets. She’d never even seen her here before. 

“I’d love to stay, but I must take these home.” Minerva swept aside, leaving Emilia behind to hug Rhea again, and make her way over to say goodbye to Marcus. Feeling lost and belittled, Emilia could have cried. Once again, Minerva had ruined things without doing anything that you could pin down, point out and have as solid proof she’d done so. She just had.