How Green Becomes Wood

"I'll hex him," Daizi said casually, tossing her hair over her shoulder and leaving it ambiguous regarding if she was serious or not, "I would say at least you are not alone in your suffering, but it is horrible when someone treats people like that."
 
Ciara flicked a hand, brushing aside the annoyance as easily as she destroyed wrinkles. "It is, but I have my own ways of waging silent war."

"This is getting terrifying," Alec remarked. "But I have to ask. Mama, Ba, do either of you have enemies?"
 
"Right now I'm not sure if I have an enemy," Daizi replied, thinking about it carefully, "I have before. I suppose that horrible woman who used to live where Lex does now is an enemy of mine, but thankfully she's moved on to terrorize somebody new."

Dark, meanwhile, took a sip of his drink and wryly answered, "Cheney."

"He died in 2025."
 
"I don't think he counts, Ba," Alec said dryly. "Xander?"

"Cheerleaders," Xander replied, and Alec just nodded, knowing the answer already.

Ciara decided she did not want to ask about either of those.
 
"Since he is dead, I suppose he does not," Dark replied, briefly raising his glass in a mock toast, "It would appear I won."

Daizi gently squeezed his elbow and said, "I thought the football players were the ones you had most issues with, Xander?"
 
"It is good," Ciara responded. "It is not particularly exciting for the most part, nor is it especially miserable. It goes along on an even keel, which is exactly how I prefer it. And yourself?"
 
"Good. I am pleased to hear it," Ciara said with a nod. "And Xander? How is your work going?"

Xander stopped in the middle of eating a sandwich, not having expected that. "Mmph?" He swallowed hastily. "Um. Good? I got a new machine to help with sewing the leather, and I've only gotten a couple of bad reviews that didn't hold any water. Keeps me busy."

"Good," Ciara nodded.
 
"It's really amazing what he's managed to build up on his own," Daizi replied, "It wasn't really that long after he came to live with us that he had already started working on it, we had his shed up in our backyard ages before the nursery was completed. So you're, what, two years deep in your buisness now?" Daizi asked Xander, despite knowing exactly how long it had been, hoping to encourage him to share more about it to his aunt.
 
"Um, yeah, probably about that long," Xander nodded. "Two years sounds right."

"It is impressive that you have managed such a business from a shed in your backyard," Ciara said.

"Yeah. It gets a little crowded sometimes, but it's a good spot."

"Have you considered expanding?"

Xander shook his head. "Not really. I probably could, but I don't want to deal with the rent from anywhere else, and I don't know if I could sustain a bigger business with school."

"Quite right. School should come first," Ciara agreed briskly.

"Right," Xander agreed and lapsed into silence once more.

Ciara looked as though she was a bit at a loss of what else to ask or say, so she just nodded.
 
After a few moments of the awkward lull in conversation, Daizi said, "This summer there is going to be a Music and Arts festival hosted in town. It'll utilize only local performers and artists, and artisans. Not much has been made public about it, yet, but one of my friends is on the planning committee."
 
"That sounds like an exciting event," Ciara said.

Alec nodded happily. "It sounds like it's going to be a spectacular time! We're going to attend, of course, and maybe do an open mic thing, maybe. Definitely going to check out all the cool vendors. Right, Mama?"
 
"Absolutely," Daizi replied, and touching her husband's arm said, "I'm trying to convince him to be in the artist showcase, so people could see his work but he doesn't have to sell anything."
 
"That would be a good thing," Ciara agreed. "His work is beautiful, and many would enjoy a chance to admire it."

"Right? That's what we said!" Alec grinned. "His work is amazing! People would love to see it. They are so cool."
 
"See, Goose," Daizi said, rubbing her husband's bicep, "Everybody is fascinated by your art."

"Okay," Dark held up one hand, nearly smiling to hear everyone, even Ciara, praising his work, "I will consider it."

"He's so modest," Daizi sighed, resting her head on his shoulder, "Until there's a gift-giving event when he brings out a masterpiece like it's nothing."
 
"The mark of a true artist," Ciara agreed. "I do not know that I will have the time to attend this event, but if I do find some time, I will be sure to stop by your display, should you choose to have one."

Alec smiled, knowing that Ciara likely had no interest in attending a music and arts festival and was giving herself an out, but also pleased that she was potentially interested in seeing his father's display.
 
Dark hung his head for a moment, appreciative of and a bit bashful about the praise, and then, raising his head, looked at Daizi with a particular, loving look, and said, "I keep telling her she should look into performing in it, but she will not give me an answer either. I do not know if you have heard her play, Ciara, but there is no one alive like it."
 
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"She says her harp is too heavy and bulky to move easily," Alec reported.

"Really?" Ciara asked curiously. "One of the younger girls in my office showed me a video of a young lady who had taken her harp to a park to perform a music video. Surely there must be a way to transport one. Perhaps strong men and a truck?"

"We do know a man with a truck," Alec mused.

Xander glanced at Dark. "What about that dude from Ivy's baby group? The one who keeps wanting to compare muscle stuff, gains or whatever. He could help move it."
 
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