Harry and Toi
Toi
* * *
“Humour an old man, would you?” Toi’s father asked.
She avoided sighing theatrically, but only just. Toi did not need to be met at the docks on Noir, nor the train station in Vita, but Dad was doing the over-protective father thing. He had actually floated the idea of coming to Azhure’en to meet her, a plan she nixed before he’d finished mentioning it.
If she had had a normal childhood, or any childhood come to that, Toi would probably have been exasperated. As it was, she got the warm fuzzies. Must’ve been because all this was still so new.
Her plan to meet him at his office was not going to happen unless she got hard-assed about it. The temptation to do so was quite strong. She smiled to herself, knowing this impulse was just one more inheritance from the man who had literally made her.
She relented as far as her dignity allowed, “You can meet me at the station in Santo Mortis, final offer.”
“That’s the best I’m going to get, isn’t it?” He didn’t pause long enough for her to reply. “Okay, deal. But, let me know if you’re going to be early. That station is no place for an unescorted woman.”
This time she did sigh. “Dad, I am a big girl, and I’m the Fyre Child, remember? It was weeks ago, but your memory can’t be that bad. No one will fuck with your little girl. Trust me.”
“Yeah, you’re right. When will you be leaving?”
“My ship leaves in the morning, at six. It will dock on Noir on the fourth day after. I’ll call the Chapterhouse from Vita when I know the train schedule. They’ll get the message to you.”
“Okay.”
“By the way, why don’t you have your own booth? They’re not that expensive.”
“I feel silly talking to an empty closet, that’s why. Besides, I almost never have to call offworld. And my comm does me just fine for local calls.”
“Fine. I guess. Stubborn old man.”
“See you soon, Toi. I love you.”
“Love you too, Daddy.” She severed the link before he could react to being called, ‘Daddy,’ again, though she did laugh. It always embarrassed him so.
Stepping out of the small room where she had spoken to the air with her father an Aion and several universes away, Toiliúil Hermit headed back to her cell in Azhure’en for a few hours’ sleep.
—Gideon Jagged
Innsmouth, October 2026
© Gideon Jagged
All Rights Reserved
Discover more from Gideon Jagged, Author
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
