Meeting with Random
A voice called from the other side of the door. "It's open!"
My father gave a grin as he opened the door and held it open for me. As I entered I could see a man behind a desk with his boots set on top of it. He was reclined in his chair looking very comfortable. So this was my uncle, the king.
Dad had shut the door behind us again and came to my side, giving a deep bow of respect, not bothering to hide his smile of amusement as he did so.
"Brother, I present your niece, my daughter, Tabitha Canidae," he said more seriously. I only shot him a quick glance at this, wondering if I was maybe missing out on some inside joke. The man behind the desk straightened up at this and I might have imagined it, but I thought I saw his eyebrow go up at "Canidae". (That's a bit of Latin for "Canine" for those of you wondering.)
He was nothing like I was expecting. You think "king", you think of formal and proper and maybe a bit of a stuffed shirt, but this man was the total opposite. He was wearing what looked like a bright orange jersey t-shirt, and a pair of beige khakis that were tucked into a pair of Durangos. I had never seen anything like this and had to remember myself to keep from staring.
"Your Majesty," I remembered, giving a bow myself and a big genuine smile to go with it. "It is very nice to meet you. Just call me Tabby." I stood back up again--not quite at attention, but with my hands clasped behind my back to prevent any nervous fidgeting.
He extended a hand that I took. "Alright, Tabby. And you can call me Uncle Random."
"Uncle Random, then," I replied with a firm grip and gave a nod in approval. He continued to look me over for a few more seconds, smiled broadly in approval of his own and then indicated the two empty chairs there as he took his seat again. I followed Dad's lead and sat in one, taking that moment to check out my surroundings and maybe get a scent I could catalog.
The room looked like something out of what you'd call the Old West, or what I'd call "homey surroundings". The walls were of a dark wood, the curtains were of a heavy, burgundy material, the chairs we were sitting in were of the straight back variety. His desk of of some exquisite dark wood and an oil lamp burned on a low setting, sending a small tendril of smoke upward. This was feeling rather comfy to me, but I found myself perched on the edge of the seat, sitting up very straight. My left foot was wrapped around the leg of the chair while my right foot was out in front, toes planted, heel up and knee bouncing with nervous energy. I made a conscious effort to put both hands in my lap and I was looking at Random with a smile, waiting for him to speak again. Random obviously got the idea and allowed himself a chuckle.
"Relax, Tabby. Why don't you tell me a little about yourself. Where did you grow up?" he began conversationally. My knee instantly stopped bouncing. I took a deep breath to steady myself--he asked for it!
"Well! I grew up on a farm out in the country. Nothing fancy, or anything. Granny Dan and Grampa James took real good care of me. So I got to spend a lot of time outdoors. I love being outdoors. Hiking, camping, swimming, fishing, hunting--I like that too. Our farm was surrounded by forest. Pretty neat. We lived close to a town, but I didn't go there very much--not a whole lot to do there. You kind of have to rely on yourself for entertainment, but I had no problem with that. [breath] Not much to tell, really." I sat back in my seat now.
Random seemed to be staring for a moment with what was becoming the typical response if one hadn't heard me squeeze everything into one breath before. He blinked a few times to let his thought process catch up with my speedy answer.
"I see," he finally replied. "And how do you feel about leaving home as you knew it and coming to Amber?"
"I was ready. I've been ready for a long time. So far, it's been a real ride. I'm loving it!" I replied.
"Good," Random said with a nod and then turned to my dad. "Well, it looks like we'll have a lot to celebrate here very soon. Keep me posted, huh?"
"Sure thing," Dad responded with a grin. I was getting the distinct feeling that a lot more was actually said in that exchange, but I wasn't about to drag that all out.
"Good. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some paperwork to attend to," Random stood up to indicate that we had come to a quick close. "Tabby, it was a pleasure. I look forward to chatting with you again soon."
"Likewise," I made a little bow and began to make my way out. "Nice meeting you, Uncle." Dad was following me out.
"So what'd you think?" he asked me in a whisper as soon as the door had closed behind us.
"He seemed cool. Nice guy," I whispered back and allowed myself a chuckle. "Canidae. Nice touch. Think he got it?"
"Yeah, he got it," Dad nodded as we walked away. We rounded a corner and I noticed a wry grin he was wearing. "That's part of what he wants to talk about later."
I didn't say anything at this. I couldn't imagine that it would be anything too serious. Besides that, I love showing the "real" me when the opportunity presents itself.
"So you ready to hit the town?" he asked.
"Yup! So what are we doing first?"