bloodsong1 | Oh, FINE THEN.

Have it your way, bloody stubborn ensouled cat-man figurine.

"NOW she faints!" Haru grumbled, cradling her unconscious mother on her lap. Baron, having rescued the food before Mrs. Yoshioka swooned away, came back with a cool handkerchief. Toto offered shade for the trio by standing behind them and spreading one wing.

"It IS rather startling to change size so abruptly," Baron offered, dabbing pale cheeks. Muta waddled over with a small glass bottle.

"Found the smelling salts!" He announced.

"Ah, excellent. Thank you, Muta. Here, Haru. Put this on her forehead."

"How many fainters have you had, Baron?" Haru asked, folding the damp handerkchief into a rectangle and pressing it to her mom's forehead. Baron shrugged as he opened the bottle and waved it under Mrs. Yoshioka's nose.

"Uuugghh" Mrs. Yoshioka mumbled, turning her face away from the salts. Baron corked the bottle and handed it back to Muta. The fluffy marshmallow waddled back into the house, grumbling under his breath about females delaying dinner with swooning.

"Come back now, Mrs. Yoshioka. Yes, that is it," Baron said softly, patting her hands. She finally blinked open her eyes.

"How are you feeling, Mom?" Haru asked, cocking her head.

"Not a dream, then?" The elder woman asked. Everyone else chuckled.

"No, this is all quite real. Welcome to the Bureau, Mrs. Yoshioka. I do apologize for the start we gave you."

"Wasn't it Haru that, um,"

"Shrunk us? Yes, Mom, that was me. It's a recent thing."

"How recent, exactly?"

"Um, two days?"

"Haru was gifted by a River God for her assistance in finding his Mate," Baron explained, still patting the hand he held. Mrs. Yoshioka's eyebrows slowly slid together.

"There's a story, isn't there?"

"After dinner, Mom. You need to eat."

"Indeed. I would hate for all of your hard work be wasted by a loss of heat. Muta!" Baron called. Muta reappeared with one of the armchairs. Baron gave Mrs. Yoshioka's hand a friendly squeeze before rising to help rearrange the table setting. Haru and Toto helped her mother to her feet. Baron waved to the armchair.

"Here, Mrs. Yoshioka. Your color is still too pale for my liking. Come rest here and have some tea."

"Baron's tea is the best!" Haru chimed in, helping her mother into the chair. Mrs. Yoshioka looked at the faces surrounding her and suddenly smiled.

"Now I see why Haru was never interested in human boys after that cattail incident," She announced. Haru flushed flame red. Muta and Toto choked back laughter. Baron's claws dug into the back of the chair and had to be carefully removed one by one.

"Ahem. Well, that is...Here, please have some tea, Mrs. Yoshioka" Baron stammered as he struggled to get back into proper host mode. The last week or so had wreaked havoc with his composure.

"Baron, may I call you that?" She asked as she accepted her teacup. Baron nodded, eyes averted as he unpacked the udon pot.

"I find it much easier than my full name, so please do."

"Good. You can call me Yoshi."

"BUH??" Haru goggled at her mother, half falling into the chair Muta was holding for her.

"'Mrs.' is too formal, all things considered. Yoshi was my nickname in school and I haven't heard it in years. It would be so nice to be called that again by such distinguished gentlemen." Haru's jaw remained unhinged. Baron's whiskers twitched madly before turning back to the older woman and sketching a slight bow.

"It would be my pleasure, Yoshi."

"Easier to say then Chicky's Mom, anyway," Muta said, claiming his chair. Toto fluttered over to take his spot. Baron nodded at his friends and smiled at Yoshi and Haru.

"Thank you both very much for coming and bringing this delicious dinner. I hope we can look forward to many more such feasts together."

"Hear hear!" Muta called, waving his paw in the air. Haru finally managed to close her mouth and stood up.

"I'll serve!"