Lora dazedly whipped her head up and looked around before she figured out what’s happening, and the head plopped back down.

“Hey Rana,” she mumbled.

“Sup,” Rana scurried to sleep beside Lora and started to poke her in the cheek. Two or so minutes later, Lora was fully awake, but she had no intention whatsoever of moving even an inch. So, they laid there looking at each other while Rana kept poking Lora’s cheek.

“Why aren’t we going down?” If things happened as usual, Rana should have long dragged her downstairs. Since her parents are out of the village, she would get most of her food here. She was always quite ravenous when after waking up.

“Not yet. Your uncle is messing in the kitchen.”

Lora thought of long past trauma before a poke in the cheek brought her back to the real world, “We’ll try to leave once he gets to the good stuff. Right?”

“Or when they fetch us, when they fetch me.”

“When Jace fetches you.”

“Little monster refuses to suffer in peace.”

Lora lifted a hand and patted her comfortingly before things went quiet again. Lora slowly fell half asleep.

“I’m nine.”

“Your birthday was last week.”

“I’m thinking of starting my weave.”

Lora’s eyes focused again, “You’re only nine…”

“And I rounded up the number of my celestial connections to three thousand a few days ago. The chief said they’ll ask the stars for a weave that needs exactly three thousand strands on the next new moon.”

“I only have…”

“No, not only. You have two thousand six hundred and something connections.”

“You suppose to wait for me.”

“You’re not even eight…”

“Five weeks.”

“And you already have the most connections among humans below fifteen.”

“Barely top ten if you count the vampires.”

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“Vampires are much more talented when it comes to making connections. And all the other vampires in the list have already started their weave and are above ten.”

“What about consolidating your connections while I try to reach three thousand.”

“I feel that what I’ve achieved is the limit of what I can achieve as I am.” Rana thought for a moment before she concentrated back on Lora, “It’s been weeks since you last formed a new connection. You’re at your limit too, aren’t you?”

Lora looked at her with a slight pout, “Sort of.”

Rana made a look so she continued, “I can’t form a new connection, but I can still consolidate some of those I’ve already formed.”

Rana looked at her. “If you want to be like me then reach your limit too. My dad’s always nagging at us that “good connections are better than many connections”. Let’s show them that many good connections are the best. You already have as many as possible connections, probably, just make sure they’re as good as possible, okay. Then Lady Rana and her minion will be the best under the stars.”

Lora nodded slowly as she watched Rana jump of the bed. Rana took her hand and pulled her off the bed and started leading her down to the kitchen. Near the stairs that led up to the attic they found an ill-looking Jace.

“Don’t worry, we’re coming.” She turned to look at Lora and said with a wry smile, “Seems we’re a bit early.”

“You’re a bit early.”

“Yeah, yeah. Don’t rub it in.”

Jace led the way down to the kitchen. It was a slow march reminiscent of prisoners being led to the gallows. Some time later they reached the kitchen. Ava was looking a bit pale, so that was good sign. Nora was still a bit purple though, so it was safe to assume that whatever’s on the table now was somewhat palatable for a vampire. Dale was marinating some meat by the stove, there was a bunch of weird herbs near him so it was safe to assume they have or will find their way into the mixture.

“Ah, Jace. You brought more tasters. Here’s a few extra slices for being a good boy.” He took one slice from a pile and placed it on Jace’s plate then he took a few more slices from a different pile and placed them on top. He took what was left of the first pile and placed on the dining table and pointed Lora to the corresponding chair. The second pile went to Rana.

Lora sat down and eagerly started to eat her food, “So good!”

“Thank you, Lora, but please don’t talk with food in your mouth. It’s disgusting.” Lora nodded obediently, he attention not leaving the masterpiece in front of her. Everybody else looked at her with envy. Dale was a skilled cook, but he liked his… experiments. The first and last time Lora helped in the experiment she passed out for a week. She was no longer aloud to participate. Which not only meant she didn’t have to eat the more questionable stuff, but she couldn’t get the rewards for participating. Unless she somehow pried some off Rana’s hands. Which usually meant helping with whatever chores Rana was procrastinating on. Something she would do without a prize is done with even more vigour when there is one. Even less work for Rana.

Jace was just about to start looking for a particular slice when Ava spoke, “Don’t pick at your food boy, it’s rude to the chef.”

“Thank you love.”

“You’re welcome. How about one of those slices as a reward.”

“Fret not, my love. All in due time.”

She sighed as she turned to look at Lora, “Little girl, did you greet aunty?”

Lora looked at her and pointed at her mouth, indicating that she wasn’t allowed to speak. Ava sighed when she stuffed even more meat into her mouth.

Eventually Lora got through the pile and turned back to Ava, “Good evening aunty. Did you sleep well? When do you think I should start my weave?” She turned back to Dale at that point and signalled with her eyes that she was ready for seconds and Dale delivered a second later.

She dived in, not waiting for Ava’s reply and ignoring the look Rana was giving her.