The plan had been simple.
Finish the morning patrol, head over to the Ascendant Grill & Tea House, handle the afternoon crowd, and then drag Roan and Alice along to face my mother and Sylvia.
...Or so it was supposed to happen.
I was halfway down the crowded street, walking past stalls, when my watch buzzed twice. A holographic screen appeared above my palm. It was from Sylvia.
Strict Monster (Sylvia): "Change of plans. Mom and I are waiting at The Velvet Loom in the Central Plaza. Come here now. I got three hours free from my Student Council meetings. It's the only free time I have for the rest of the festival. Don't make us wait."
I stared at the text for a moment, letting out a breath. Leave it to Sylvia to treat family time like a military operation.
"Well," I muttered to myself, turning around to look at Roan and Alice who were walking right beside me. "There goes the afternoon shift."
I pulled up Malva's contact and sent her a quick text.
