82)

The two groups were facing off against each other on the circular drive to either side of the front door.

On one side stood The head of the Ichiban family. A much older man unbent by his years. His thinning out white hair was buzz cut down to near stubble, and his face was heavily creased with wrinkles. He was neither tall nor short, and his neat gray suit hid whatever kind of shape he was in.

He didn’t look happy as he stared down the witches standing opposite from him. In fact, there was a faint look of barely restrained hostility on his face.

To one side of him was a man in his early thirties with enough muscle on him to almost look fat in his dark gray suit as he glared at Rosaria. I guessed this was Uncle Dave who had last seen her when she was trying to set him on fire.

To the other side of the head of the family stood a middle aged looking woman in a pale pink woman’s casual suit coat and skirt combination. I had been told this was Yuki’s mom and she was looking right back at me with a look of friendly curiosity, completely ignoring all the tension between the two groups as she began to try to look past me into the house. She seemed to be more interested in seeing her daughter and grandchildren than trying to stare down the opposite group.

On the other side of my driveway was Rosaria in a rather nice looking green summer dress. As I looked at her she rolled her eyes at Dave and glanced over at me as I gestured to the oil stains on the otherwise pristine front drive. She refused to even look in that direction. Instead, she just shrugged as if she had no clue as to what I was trying to draw her attention to.

Then there was the Witch, capital W.

She was shorter than either of her kids. Her gray streaked faded red hair was long with a wave to it even as it was severely pulled back into a bun. She wore a severe black dress that looked like something from a few centuries ago. As well as a wide brimmed flat topped hat.

Unlike Otaru, she was gaunt and shriveled with age. Not weak looking, just worn down to an unhealthy looking extent.

Beyond her… Brie was looking well. No older looking than a young thirty. She had filled out a bit since we had been college students, and she now wore her hair longer, a bit past her shoulders.

She had on a gray blouse with a floral printed skirt.

And she was staring straight forward. Refusing to even glance my way. Her hands were both flat up against her thighs to keep them under control.

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one feeling awkward about meeting the other parent of our kid after nearly forty years.

Wait…

The Maiden, or at least the young one. The Mother, Brie. And the Crone.

Well, that’s one hell of a power play, or did it just work out that way?

I noticed the old woman looking at me, one brow raised as if she knew… nope. Not going to think about it. You can’t mind game me if I don't think about it.

Speaking of mind games. I realized I was standing up on the front porch above my guest. Which, I decided right then, was not the impression I wanted to give.

Like it or not. Them or me. They were family by way of marriage and three children. Bound by blood.

I stepped down to the short bit of walkway between the steps and the drive, my brother and Charles slipping out behind me.

The Witch Endorra, gave Drew a curious look and frowned a bit at Charles.

“Good afternoon and welcome to my home. Before we make introductions, I just wanted to remind everyone that we are here today to advise an eleven year old girl’s parents about her educational needs for the next few years. While I understand that we all want to have our concerns and advice heard. She's still a little kid and we don’t need to stress her any more than already she is.”

I look toward the old man and the Witch, neither of which looked all that happy to see me. But as lest they didn’t look like two wild west gunfighters facing off against each other anymore.

Smiling and nodding at everyone in general, I acted as though we were all agreed on this.

“Good. I’m John Lathe, your host and Ami’s paternal grandfather. The other geezer is my older brother Drew, and the youngster is his son Charles.”

The Witch spoke up. Her voice was a bit husky compared to either of her daughters. “He is only recently cursed, and you are still newly come to it. It is still possible for me to break it.”

Well. That’s something to… immediately dismiss. “Thank you for the offer, but I’ve found it a tolerable, and even beneficial condition.”

She tilted her head back and gave me a judgmental look with her cold dead eyes. “Just as well, you would have been a weak mage at best. Your brother is even less than that. Self enhancement at best.”

Mage? …not the time to think about it. Move on.

I turned my best smile to the Ichiban clan as I realized the Witch had just taken a cheat shot at the head of an entire family of what could be called self enhancers.

The old man had caught it as well as he was back to looking at the Witch with a distasteful look. Even as he introduced himself and his party.

“Otaru Ichiban. Ancestor to the promised one. Caretaker of her inheritance. Head of her ancestral clan.”

The woman in pink was rolling her eyes as she was introduced. “This is the child’s maternal grandmother, my granddaughter Hime Yokaturi. The other is... Dave. My great grandson and the child’s sensai and cousin.”

The old guy got a sour look on his face as he introduced his great grandson. While there seemed to be a story behind that I would have to follow it up some other time.

Dave spoke up. “There are other things we could speak of today, like an unprovoked assault on myself, and restitution for destroying my student’s home while endangering her life. But I am willing to set aside such trivial matters if we agree to focus on what is best for Ami.”

Oooo. Good sacrificial play. Give yourself the right to judge if things are trivial.

The Witch returned the volley. “The child’s life was never in danger, and any damage to such mundane things.” She pointedly looked at Dave. “Are below consideration.”

Damn. Not really a point, but great trash talking.

My brother realized I was losing the initiative. “Well, no reason for you folks to stand around outside. We got some food set up in the living room. How about everyone go ahead and come inside.”

Otaru took the lead by heading toward the door first, fearlessly putting his back to the witch as I stepped aside and waved him inside, leaving Endora to appear to be the one who was concerned about putting her back to him.

Despite all the confidence he was projecting into every movement. I could see how he had to take the front steps with some care, even while ignoring the hand rail, and how Dave almost stepped up to be in a position to catch him should he falter.

It hadn’t been that long since I was just short of needing help with steps myself.

Endora however, openly took the hand rail and held up one arm for Rosaria to help her by putting one hand under her elbow.

Without planning it, or wanting it. This left me and Brianna standing alone out front.

Both of us were avoiding eye contact as we stood there. She started to speak, hesitated, and I jumped in. “You raised a good man. A good father.”

Again she hesitated but finally spoke. “Yeah, he still catches me by surprise sometimes with how he turned out. I...”

I spoke up again before she could finish. “We will talk after all this is settled. I can’t promise you that you'll feel any better after we talk. But you will get your chance.”

I waited long enough for her to nod in agreement before I turned my back to her and walked inside.

Right now was about Ami, everything else twisting around in my guts was going to have to wait.