A few days later Teo e-mails her.

Hey, wanna meet my brothers?

I'd love to! Are they around?

Yup. Decided to come at the last minute after a bunch of cancellations. And they liked my description of you.

I'm just that charming.

Absolutely.

They can pick a date.

A date is picked! Is a location also picked?

That sounds like the sort of thing they should decide in advance if they want to meet each other face-to-face, so yes.

It's a nice restaurant, not outrageously fancy, but upscale.

She is on time.

So are they.

The family resemblance is fairly obvious.

So is the magic.

She didn't expect anything different.

"Hello! It's a delight to meet you."

"Hello and likewise. Teo had nice things to say about you. I'm Dasenifer. Or just Seni."

"Dakarofels. But I prefer just Karo."

"Did he. Gosh. I wonder what things."

"Only nice things, don't worry."

They are seated on a balcony.

"I'm sure it was nice things but I have lots of dimensions along which to nicely vary, I'm curious about which in particular he mentioned."

"He told us that you are thoughtful and insightful. The kind of person that values thinking about their opinions."

"That's a good introduction, I approve."

"I try."

Giggle.

Giggle. The waiter comes by to take their order. With three blues on the table, he doesn't even dignify Sahde with a glance until it's clear the gray is allowed to order her own food.

Yes, yes she is, thank you very much. "What do you recommend? I've never eaten here before."

"Me neither, but I think this pork and pumpkin roast looks good." The waiter nods. "Any recommendations?"

"The pasta and eggplant soup won an award. We also recommend the parfait for dessert," says the waiter.

"I'll have the pasta and eggplant soup, then, why not."