Twenty minutes ter, I exit the changing room, holding my chosen bras. Philippa is waiting, smiling at her phone. “Make sure to thank Tricia for those, she’s wired me the money to cover. She says she wishes she could have come with us, but her injuries would make it too hard for her. She DID want to make it up to you, though, so…” My sister gestures at my new undergarments.

  I smile. “Yeah, I will. I’m so happy she’s cool with me…”

  Phili loops her arm around my shoulders in a hug. “And why wouldn’t she be? We’re all happy for you, Rika, so never feel like you don’t deserve happiness, or that you don’t belong!”

  I blush a little as Phili squeezes, before going to pay. My stomach growls, and I turn pink as my sister cackles, “I guess breakfast is our next stop, then, kyahahahahaha!”

  I sit opposite my sister at a table, as she smiles, our orders pced and tea in front of us.

  “So, little Rika! What do you want to go looking for next? Shoes? Makeup? Accessories?”

  I pause, my teacup halfway to my lips, and ponder. “Well, my trainers are a bit loose now, but makeup is…”

  I watch as Philippa’s face crinkles into a mischievous smirk. “Footwear first! We can’t have you slipping out of your trainers, Rika! Then we’ll get you the essential cosmetics a girl needs! We-”

  Her phone rings, and she scowls at the dispy. “Tch. Hold on, mom’s calling.”

  She answers, and I watch her carefully, sipping my tea.

  “Yeah? No, I haven’t seen RICK. HE doesn’t exist. No, I’m with RIKA. SHE’S fine, no thanks for asking. No, I’m not telling you where we are. I know you’ll show up to try and drag us back so you can freak out over nothing again. I’M NOT having this conversation now, we’re in public! MOM!”

  Philippa’s free hand is starting to jitter with sparks. I reach out and cover her fingers with mine, smiling. “It’s okay, calm down!” I mouth, and feel the static in the air begin to fade. Phili rexes a little, and continues.

  “No, mom. You’re in the wrong and you know it. If you keep this up, you’re going to find yourself an outsider in your own home. Act like the adult you’re supposed to be, or face the facts.”

  She hangs up and smiles at me. “Sorry about that, little sis, but don’t worry, I used a hint of my power to scramble our location in case she tries using some triangution tricks. It’s how I used to sneak out at night to visit my boyfriend!”

  I blush and giggle, swatting the back of her hand. “You’re so bad, sis! No wonder mom never caught you!”

  She fshes a V-sign, grinning. “Heheh, yep! I’m a tearaway!”

  My phone buzzes several times during our breakfast, and I check. Most of the texts are from mom, but I ignore them. Two are from dad and Tricia, which I do read.

  First is Dad’s.

  “Hey, baby girl. I know you’re with Philippa, but please don’t worry about coming home. I’m working on getting your mother to see things from your perspective. It’s not going super well, but she’s at least calmed down a little. Have fun, and take care of yourself today, alright? Love ya, kiddo.”

  Then is Tricia’s.

  “Rika, you’d better not answer any calls or texts from mom. We’ve confiscated her phone with Niko’s help, but if she manages to get it back, she’s probably gonna go ballistic. I’ll handle dinner, don’t worry. I doubt it’ll be as good as your or Phili’s cooking, but I’m not completely hopeless in the kitchen!”

  I smile. Hopefully things do get back to a more level and rexed state. Telling my parents that I want to switch schools so I can attend as me… won’t be easy.

  Two pairs of trainers ter, I’m standing in front of a dispy full of cosmetics. Lipstick, mascara, eyeliner, blusher, foundation… so many things!

  Philippa grins as I start internally spazzing out over what I should pick. “Don’t worry, we can buy you a basic kit that comes with the essentials, and add more stuff to it, so you’ll have the exact things you need!”

  I blush, before letting Philippa take over, studying what she does as much as I can. I can’t rely on her to do this for me every time. I take note of how she matches my skin tone to the foundation and picks out things that either blend in well, or contrast with it in specific ways. She then turns and holds up two nail-polish example samples.

  “Quick question, do these look the same colour to you?”

  I study them briefly, before shaking my head. “No, the one on the right is slightly lighter. It’s not as vibrant as the other.”

  She smiles. “Okay, now I know for SURE you’re a girl. Every guy I know would’ve said they were the exact same shade!”

  I can’t help but splutter, trying not to ugh outright. This feels so nice, just two sisters bonding and having fun!

  By now, it’s past noon, and I feel so much better now that I’m wearing some cute clothes. Not even the prospect of mom being ‘disapproving’ about my gender is getting to me. Philippa is very attentive, fussing over me as she blurs around each shop and store, selecting accessories and even giving tips on the best way to wear each one. Finally, with three pairs of shoes acquired, including a lovely pair of heels, some stylish fts, and a pair of trainers for casual wear, we leave, heading home.

  Philippa grins. “I… maaay have asked Niko to destroy all of your clothes while we were out. By my reckoning, she’ll have finished by now.”

  I blink, staring at my middle sister. “You… pnned all this so quickly. It’s a little intimidating, honestly.”

  “Aww, that’s sweet! Thanks, baby sister!” Phili blows a kiss and winks, and I can’t help but ugh. I really do love my sisters.

  By the time we get home, mom is fuming over Niko’s “spontaneous fit of pique” causing the ‘unfortunate loss’ of my entire male wardrobe. She pauses, staring at me, as my dad hugs me. “Looking good, sweetheart!”

  “Thanks dad.” I smile and hug back. Mom casts about, looking a little lost for words. Suddenly, she bolts for the cupboard, wrenching the door open and grabbing something from within. A… Jar of pickles??

  She makes a cursory effort to crack the seal and open the jar, before handing it to me with a triumphant expression. “Here, Rick. I need a MAN to open this jar for me!”

  I stare at the jar, then at mom. “Well, good luck with that.”

  I put the jar on the table and walk out ignoring the spluttering from behind me, carrying my new clothing up to my room. Niko follows, holding out a key.

  “A new lock…. I helped put it… in the frame.”

  I hug her, and Niko smiles again. I like seeing a smile on my dark-haired oldest sister’s face. It takes me a mere few minutes to put everything away, locking my door. When I walk back into the kitchen, Dad reaches out, picks up the jar, and, winking at me, pops the lid off, and plonks the now-open jar back down in front of his wife.

  “There, Jules, you called on a man to open this jar, and your wish has been fulfilled by the only man in the house!”

  Scowling, mom looks up and hisses, “That’s not the POINT, Derek Augustus Crane!”

  “Oh? Well, I HOPE the point isn’t “I want our youngest daughter to feel bad about her decision to live her life in a way that makes her happy”, or I’m going to have words with you in private, Julia Althea Crane.”

  As she fumes, I hug my father and murmur softly, “thank you…”

  He pats my shoulder. “You’re welcome, Rika. So, fun shopping trip?”

  “Oh, GOD yes! It was amazing, Philippa took me to all these awesome shops, and she taught me sooooo much!”

  Dad chuckles, and I hop back before he can ruffle my hair, pouting. “Nooo, I don’t wanna brush it again!” I ugh, pre-empting his action.

  A knock comes from the doorway, and Tricia calls out, “I’ll get it! Give me a minute!” I can hear her crutch-walking out to the front door. A voice rumbles, and I halt, recognizing it. Adalinda!

  A minute ter, the tall, bronze-tanned giantess works her way in, her long blonde hair tied back as she almost fills the hallway. “Ah, young frostdrake, I said I’d return. Now, where is your mother?”

  Mom sticks her head out, blinking. “Aurexiar?! What are you doing here? I… I wasn’t expecting you!”

  The dragon High Priestess inclines her head. “I figured you would not like the reason I am here. I have come in an official capacity. Julia Crane, I, Aurexiar of the Drakeblooded Cities, am here to y cim to the young drakeling, Rika Crane.” She gestures at me.

  Mom’s expression is one of complete dumbfoundation. “You… you know he’s a boy, right?!” she excims, pointing at me. I flinch, and Adalinda’s hand gently comes to rest on my back.

  “SHE… is a drakeling with power over frost and ice. As such, I have cim over her until she has received sufficient training to either control her abilities, or to use them in battle, whichever she chooses. And, might I remind you that, as High Priestess of the Drakeblooded Cities, I am authorized to take her with me, even against her own wishes, in order to prevent an… incident… on the scale of the ’45 debacle?”

  Mom flinches, and then sighs. “If you’re going to bring that up… then I guess I have no choice. Must you do this tonight, though? Let us have tonight to say goodbye…”

  Adalinda nods. “You may have tonight. I will return first thing tomorrow morning. And do NOT forget the Law, Julia. There is nothing you can do to stop this. It’s a matter of safety, no matter the cost. I promise, I will get your daughter trained and return her to you unharmed, safe, and healthy.”

  She bows, and, with a little effort, the dragoness leaves, carefully shutting the door behind her. Mom stares at her hands in disbelief.

  Philippa shoots me a look, having caught the gist of the entire situation. “I think we should… book a table at a restaurant, or something. Rika’s going… to need time to pack, and I don’t think anyone really wants to cook tonight, after our visitor…”

  Mom nods, and reaches for the phone as dad chivvies me and Philippa out, following us. “I… I don’t exactly know what’s happening, but it seems like we don’t really have a choice. But, something Aurexiar said has me worried. She said you had the option of learning to fight with your powers instead of just learning to keep them under control. Don’t tell me you’re pnning on using them offensively, darling?”

  I nod without hesitation. “Of course I am! I want to! Being able to be myself is one thing, but… these powers are supposed to be used to help people, right? So… I want to use them for the purpose they’re meant to fulfil. If that means I have to fight, then so be it. I could never have fought as Rick Crane. But now… Now I can fight as Rika Crane, the half-dragon!”

  Dad sighs. “Well, as long as it’s what YOU want, sweetheart. I won’t stand in your way. Plus, you’ll have Niko and Philippa to help you out if you get into a sticky situation, yeah?”

  Niko glomps onto me and nods. “No-one hurts Rika…” she says solemnly, and Philippa joins in the hug. Tricia limps in, brows furrowed.

  “Who’s hurting Rika?”

  I shake my head. “No-one is, Niko and Phili are being protective.”

  Tricia grins and adds, “Well, make that all three of us! Gotta protect the cinnamon roll!” as mom bustles in, smoothing down her blouse.

  “Well, we have a table booked for tonight at Bianchi’s, 7:30. Make sure to wear something nice, everyone. And that means YOU, Derek! No silly ties today, thank you, this is a… a momentous occasion…”