Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 71082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Erzah stares. "You think so?"
"I do," my mate says firmly. “And besides, I know how to mix drinks. Maybe not with these ingredients, but I’m sure I can figure it out.”
"I agree," I say, but not just because it's Ruthie's suggestion. "It makes sense. Get to know the locals and work with them. And I knew an a'ani that made his own beer once. Maybe we can figure out how to make our own. Humans don't like ooli brew anyhow."
"We really don't," Ruthie agrees, wrinkling her delicate, adorable nose.
"You're so smart, my gorgeous mate," I tell Ruthie.
She blushes at my praise. Over the back of her head, Jerzec makes a face, but I ignore him. He'll sing a different song when he finds a female he can't resist.
Erzah rubs his hands together. "The only thing left is the sign. Dopekh should be here with it any moment."
"The sign?" I ask. "You decided on a name, then?"
Erzah clears his throat. "Sort of. I had a name but Ruth-Ann told me it was terrible and so I went with my second choice."
"Wait, what was the first name?" Ruth asks.
Erzah, Aithar and Jerzec exchange looks. "We came up with it together," Erzah says after a moment. "I wanted to call it 'A Very Safe Cantina For Human Females Only.'"
"Get it all on the sign," Jerzec agrees. "Make sure they know this is a place for them."
Aithar nods.
I have to admit, it's a good name. If I were a human female, I would certainly want to know all of that before stepping into a cantina. It seems legitimate to me that I would wish to know if a cantina accepted all or if it was for females only.
Ruthie's jaw drops. Her hand goes to her mouth and she giggles. Then she snorts. Then she keeps laughing, wiping tears from her eyes. "Oh my god," she wheezes. "Oh my god."
Erzah frowns. "Lady Ruth had the same reaction. What makes it so bad?"
"You might as well roll up with a white van and offer candy," Ruthie says between giggles.
"You think we should offer candy?" Aithar asks.
Ruthie only laughs harder. She holds her sides, tears streaming from her eyes. I chuckle, just because the sight of her in such delight makes me feel warm inside. "I think Ruthie likes it, but for all the wrong reasons."
"Sounds...like...a trap," Ruthie manages between wheezing laughs.
Aaaah. "I see. Declaring that someplace is safe probably makes the humans think it is not safe." It sounds strange and illogical, but humans are like that sometimes. I hold Ruthie tightly, so she doesn't fall off my thigh in her laughing fit. "What was the second name, Erzah?"
"Sunrise," he mumbles.
Ruthie wipes her face one more time. "Sorry, what?"
"Sunrise Cantina," Erzah says a little louder. "It's short. It's cheerful. And I heard a human female say to another here that this is like the dawn of a new day for them. So...Sunrise Cantina."
Everyone turns to look at Ruthie to see her reaction.
She smiles, her eyes still wet with tears of amusement. "Actually, that's lovely."
"Thank kef," Erzah mutters.
"Sunrise Cantina," I repeat. It's a good sign, I think. It’s a new start for all of us.
“To Sunrise,” Aithar says, jumping to his feet and putting his hand out.
“Sunrise,” I agree, leaning forward and putting my hand over his. Ruthie covers mine a moment later.
Jerzec puts his into the mix. “If we have to go with a less obvious name, fine. As long as we get the females in here, that’s all that matters.”
“Sunrise Cantina,” Erzah agrees, putting his hand at the top of the stack. His eyes shine with anticipation.
We can call it anything, as long as I get to call Ruthie mine.
<