Fill It Out

As soon as we got outside, Mei started to complain.

"My head feels funny and big, can I ride on your shoulder? Not like this, but sit on them? I've never done it before, but it looks like fun!"

I let Mei down and looked to Lesha for some help, but that was not a good idea. The look she gave me was so damn mean, that I scowled back at her obnoxiously adorable face that said for me to just give in. That just got me an even brighter smile that ruined my resolve.

"Yes, Mei, you can ride on my shoulders, come here," I said reaching forward, trying to hold my annoyance of it all back.

Mei squealed in excitement and ran to my arms, and my annoyance drifted away. The way she was so excited for something so simple broke my heart; I would really have to work on my attitude, at least for the girls. Everyone else would still feel my wrath, but Lesha was right. I needed to save my anger for those that earned it.

I turned her around before lifting her up and over my head, setting her on my shoulders, her legs straddling my neck. Then I remember and felt that Mei had no underwear on, another shop we would stop by on the way to the dungeon. At this rate, we were going to get home quite late, but maybe I would take the girls out for a meal after.

We started down the street towards my father's work; dad would make us something, but for now, he would have a shield for me. Mei was wiggling and she kept sticking her legs up and partially flashing them. I turned to Lesha and she smiled but started to explain to Mei about making sure others don't see her private parts, and to keep her legs down, or I wouldn't be carrying her anymore.

With that somewhat settled, we arrived at The Forge, and Gastbo was waiting outside, not for us, but just sitting on a crate outside of his shop. He looked over at me and scowled, but then saw Lesha, and rushed back inside, and my father came out right after there was some yelling.

"K! Two days in a row? Do you miss me that much? I'll be home tomorrow night don't you worry! Hey! Who's the little squirt on your shoulders? Are you sick?"

"Oye old man! One at a time, I'm here to make some plate armor orders for us, and I am missing you a lot less with all these questions! This is Mei, she will be staying with us, and I can help out more with food and such. Why would you ask if I'm sick?"

"You can't take a swing at me for this, but, K, you don't really like people...Yet there is a smiling little girl on your shoulders…" James tried to continue, but Mei cut him off.

"Hey, I am twenty-six!"

"Hunh? Really, well Leana will have to get some more baking into you to add a little weight to you."

"I also wanted to ask you if you thought Leana might mind spending a couple days a week with her to teach her to write and such?"

"Her? Pft, as long as she doesn't mind Leana fussing over her and making her try on outfits, BWAHAHA. You know, I think she would love it, considering you were pretty much my fifth son, hehe!" My father laughed at me, but that actually made me feel good even if he was joking.

"Outfits? What are those? Who is Leana?" Mei asked from up top.

"Leana is my step-mother, and she is a really nice lady. Maybe she can tackle your rat's nest without having to shave it all off! Anyways, father, can I go and make those orders? I also need to buy a good shield that would be suited for an emerald to Ruby Class adventure, do you have one?"

"Wait, Ruby? Which one of you...no way, K? Come here! Why didn't you tell your old man!" My dad said, pulling me into an awkward hug with Mei on my shoulders, and then pulled back, looking up at Mei. "How about I show you what I do? Come with me while the girls get what they need, okay?"

I let Mei down and she was excited to go off with him. My father had a way with all kids, and even though he knew she was older, he knew exactly how she wanted to be treated. Lesha came over and took my hand in hers and squeezed, cheering me up a bit more along with a kiss on the cheek.

I took her back with me to the fitting room and closed the door and locked it. I turned back to Lesha, who was about to take her shirt off, but I stopped her.

"No need, you can do that when we get home later, that is, if we ever get to this dungeon. This shouldn't take too long, just hold your arms out for me and I will get your size written down on this paper."

"Size? I can just fill it out, let me see...see there!" Lesha said handing the paper back to me, then I looked at her and then the numbers.

"Well, this actually saves a bunch of time. Let's go talk to Gastbo about my shield and then we will collect Mei from my father, then we can go to the dungeon and pick something from a vendor on the way for lunch. I am starting to get hungry," I said, starting to slide my hand under my shirt and then pulled it back out quickly.

I had forgotten about how cold my hands were, we needed to hurry, I could take some of the girl's blood, but without anywhere for them to point their energy, I would end up the target.

"Okay, let's go, my hands are getting colder!"