#elsewhere

And August is already looking out. Looks like a Lamborghini , jet black with red stripes, and come out of it is a woman who... frankly, even here he can see she looks a lot like Chloe. Not Coradel, for she seems mortal, but Chloe

Albeit, her hair is more blonde than red

((Not her mother?))

"Chloe... you don't have an older sister you haven't mentioned?"

Nope. Could be an older sister, but not much older

That said, Chloe doesn't have an older sister. Corradel knows that, though she hasn't looked out herself

August describes the woman.

And Chloe may have a flash back to.. a life she never really lived.

Didn't her host have a cousin?

Coradel joins August at the window. "No...no sisters....I..." A blink. "Oh, that's Cousin....Cousin...." She shakes her head, searching for the name.

"A cousin?" August glances back down at the figure.

"I think so...." Then she moves away from the window with a shrug. "Well, I'm sure we'll find out more soon enough."

"I think you had the right idea; let's let them settle in." He offers his arm to Coradel.

Chelsea! That was it

"Yes, let's....Chelsea! That's her name!" A pleased smile. "Yes, you three be a family for a bit, we'll check on you a bit later."

"Chelsea." August repeats quietly as they exit and descend. "Any idea why she's here?"

Magnus is already snoozing

"Not a clue!" she says blythely as she leads the way back downstairs.

"Then we should go greet Cousin Chelsea."

"Maybe. I'm not at all sure what reaction she expects from me," she says more quietly.

August nods; she's not the first or last Fae to have that problem.

And as Coradel opens the door, She gets hugged "CHLOE!!" Happy Squuue

August steps back to allow Chloe room to react, and to avoid getting knocked over.

"CHELSEA!!" she replies in the same tone. "It's been forever!"

She doesn't rush to hug...unless her cousin does.

"I KNOW..." She says hyper chipper and yes, she rushed a hug "I heard you got married, I couldn't BELIEVE it, so sorry I was in Brazil.... then that covid thing.. UGH... like, just give me the shot and shutup.... but nooo you had to wait"

An enthusiastic hug. "Oh, no...how long were you stuck there? Oh, Chelsea, here...this is my husband August," She drags her over to August. "August, this is my cousin Chelsea."

The boyish young man offers his hand. "A pleasure to meet you, Chelsea."

"OH boy he's CUTE... I saw pictures but... do not do the juciiness that is you justice, " Chelsea takes the hand and squeezes "Better watch his one, Chloe, the beach babes will eat him up.. nom nom nnom"

And he BLUSHES.

"Oh, you don't have to tell me!" She takes August's arm and squeezes happily. "Chelsea, what are you doing here?!" The vapidness is very convincing.

"Oh, my manners, come on and let's raid the kitchen and have a bit of a snack while we talk."

"Oh my, raid the kitchen? WOW...." She moves on with the two of you "That's so middle class I love it. It turrnns out my parents have cut me off. Can you believe it?"

They're already searching the cabinets when she drops this bombshell. Chloe stares at her. "For what? Why?"

"you crash one yacht..." she sighs "And they found out I wasn't ACTUALLY attending college"

August glances, but carries on finding snacks while the girls 'catch up.'

"Oh, Chelsea! What have you been doing, partying?"

"Well, yeah, i mean, weed is legal... so many places... and it all got SO boring"

"What college were you supposed to be at?" She leads them, arms laden with their middle-class-style raid findings out to a covered porch overlooking the horse barn out back.

"Vassar" She sigghs

And is lead

August follows with his own load, and blinks in pleasant surprise at that news.

"REEEally?!" A smile to August. "We have a friend who goes there. Or...went there. I'm not sure right now. But she's very, very serious about books and such."

He nods agreement with Chloe.

"Pass. I won't go.. so uhm. . Ineed a little help So I thought I'd crash here"

"August and I are both going to William Woods. It's a small one near here, but we like it." She squeezes August's hand.

A shy smile as he sets up the food and drink, and offers the ladies a set.

Then a more serious expression. "You can totally crash here. Your timing is funny, though. We're just here because we're helping some friends out. They just had a baby!"

"Whoa"

"They're resting just now." August volunteers.