Sand and Snow

Khaat sighed heavily. She wasn't happy that her magic had not come back as fully as it should. And she was a bit miffed that her father was doing nothing but standing and watching Michael swashbuckling with the fireplace poker. Although, Michael did seem to be doing rather well for himself. She didn't know he was good at swordfighting, but she could see why her father was enjoying watching.

When a drape decided it was going to wrap itself around Michael and take him captive, Brian stepped in and flicked his wand at the drape. "Play nice, or I'll make you into a set of napkins," he said.

"I am NOT going to stay here if I have to put up with the same crap I have at home," Michael snarled at Robert.

"Alright," Robert told the furniture. "Go. Back to where you belong. And stay there. One step out of line, and I'll change you back."

Khaat watched them sulk back into their places unhappily.

"I'm sorry, Everyone," Khaat sighed.

"The only way that you'll find out if your magic is fully back is to try it. No harm done," Robert said. "Let's have lunch."

"My fault," Khaat confessed. "Sorry, Steven."

"It's actually a good sign, Khaat," Robert said. "You know that. The way your head was hit, by rights it should have been another day or so before you got it back at all. It'll sort itself out with a bit more time and rest, my dear. Not to worry."

"I don't want the furniture to go after the babies," she said nervously.

"Don't worry," Michael said. "If your father doesn't change it back, I'll have a talk with it. It'll behave. Don't worry. We're not going to let the furniture go after the girls." Khaat was listening to Michael and heard footsteps. She turned, alarmed, and saw a pair of her heels coming, on their own through the dining room. She sighed heavily.

"My shoes? Really?" she sighed.

"Move along," Michael shooed the stilettos out of the dining room. "Go walk laps down in the gym or something. We're busy." The shoes walked off, and Michael resumed his seat at the table. "Forget it, Khaat. Enjoy your lunch. So far, no harm done."

"Yes, and he's going to need some additional help for the next day or so, Steven. His hand and his arm are completely split open from his hand halfway up to his elbow. I really do not want him bleeding to death because he's overdoing. Any help you and Cassidy can give would be much appreciated," Robert said.

"I really could handle it, Daddy," Khaat said.

"No, you really can't," Robert said. "You're barely on your feet. You are better than yesterday, but, no. You can't. You really do have to let the others run the house today. Your mother really could do it, you know, if nothing else."

"No," Michael said. "I have work to do. Don't go inviting anybody else to run Khaat's house, Ozzy. You want to put me in charge?" Robert laughed and looked at the others.

"None of you want that," Robert said as the napkins llifted off the table and started flying around the room like birds. "Well, this is a bit annoying, isn't it?"

"Oi!" Michael frowned at them. "Get back here where you belong! Or would you rather be used for toilet paper?" Instead of obeying him they flew off, out of the dining room in a hurry.

"Nice job. Scared the napkins right off, didn't you?" Robert sighed. "Now we'll have to coax them into coming back. Don't threaten the table linens, Mikey."

"MIchael threatened to use the napkins as toilet paper," Angus laughed. "I think they took him seriously. "I think it scared them that he might actually do it. I'll go try to talk them out of the drawer." He got up and went back into the kitchen. When he came back, the napkins were floating behind him nervously, trembling.

"Nobody's going to illuse you," Khaat told them. "Come on back." She wanted to giggle at the napkins, but she restrained herself. They returned to their places obediently, but reluctantly.

"Good banana bread, Cassidy," Khaat said. "I meant to tell you that earlier. Thank you. Are we all set for tomorrow for my mother?"

"Well, most of us are. We don't know what Mikey is doing, but he's never let me down in the kitchen," Robert said. "Or anywhere else for that matter. Can you all handle decorating for this?"

"Of course," Brian said. "Stop worrying. Worry about picking up your gift and not forgetting it, Robert."

"Hey, Tex," Michael said. "Can I borrow you and your partner here to go with me and pick up all the groceries tomorrow? There is more food coming than you think. I could use the help."

"Cassidy wants to learn to cook. Could you use a soux chef tomorrow?" Angus asked.

"Well, yes, actually," Michael said. He looked at her. "I would welcome that, if that interests you at all." Angus was impressed. Michael didn't normally allow anyone anywhere near the kitchen when he cooked. Khaat smiled.

"You've impressed him somehow, Cassidy," Khaat said. "He doesn't make that offer to anybody."

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