*Guy is going to meet Mami's royal family.
Just finished episode 24, so here's another one for your enjoyment (or frustration in this case :-p)
*****
Guy looked out the window at the airport at a white wide body airship with the royal Mouse family's shield on the side. 'I guess that's ours.' he said.
He had booked ordinary tickets to Mami's home world because she didn't like the fuss surrounding royalty, but as soon as the girls and Guy arrived at the airport they were directed to another lounge and notified they were going on a different flight. They were served drinks and snacks while they had to wait for the airship to get ready.
'As long as we can have this, I don't mind waiting a bit more.' said Cani and took another bite out of a big piece of cherry cake.
Mami eyed the two men in black suits who stood outside the lounge entrance. 'This is why I don't like the fuss.' she said. 'I feel I can't be myself when they keep an eye on us.'
Guy nodded. 'Yeah, I wonder how it'll be while we're with your family.' he said and chuckled once. 'I'm sure they'll disapprove of me when we act like we do at home.'
'You're not the only one they'll disapprove of.' Mami said and put her hand on his arm. 'But I don't care. We're going back to our own home when we're done there.'
Guy smiled and put his hand on hers. 'And nobody is going to take that away from us.' he said. 'From our own family.'
A little later three mouse flight attendants came up to them to let them know they could board the airship. They carried the hand luggage while they escorted everyone to the covered walkway that led to the ship.
There they were led to a spacious cabin with couches and low tables in white and light grey colours, and a view from full height windows on the side. The captain introduced himself and laid out the flight in a few words. When he left another attendant came up and took orders for drinks and left a menu for later.
Guy looked around at the simple interior with just a few pictures of landscapes on the walls. 'In stories of old times royalty always surrounded themselves with many ornamental things.' he said. 'Quite the opposite of this.'
'We don't have a taste for things like that.' Mami said. 'I guess it's because in our nature we try to keep a relaxed environment. Simple colours, few distractions that draw our attention.'
Feli nodded. 'I can imagine when you think about how you evolved from a prey species.' she said. 'Any movement and change around you might indicate danger.'
'Luckily we can distract dangers with other things nowadays.' Mami said, watching Cani lick her lips when she got another large piece of cake.
Cani looked back at the others chuckling and watching her. 'What?'
The girls and Guy spent the time on the trip by reading, some writing, a couple of movies and a relaxing nap after they had lunch with a wide selection of Mouse specialities. By the time they arrived at their destination they felt refreshed and ready to meet the family.
A stretched van awaited them on the landing field and after clearing a few formalities they got in and were driven to the royal palace escorted by security in two cars.
The drive took them into the heart of the city and what struck them was the wide variety in the heights of buildings. Buildings up to a dozen storeys were mixed with others down to a single storey and some had walkways between them. There was no pattern to be detected.
'Yes, yes, I've seen the similarity with the elaborate mazes some pet mice get from their owners.' Mami said when Ara pointed out the window and grinned at her.
'For a species that likes simple interiors, the city is quite chaotic.' Ara said.
'Our species likes to walk around.' said Mami. 'Most engage in a firm walk daily, which led to many paths going through the city to keep it interesting.'
The palace was situated in a small forest in the middle of the city and seemed to be mainly constructed of round towers. Most were the same height, in contrast to the buildings in the city.
Servants came down the low stone steps, took their luggage and led them up to a large room.
'Now what?' said Feli.
'We wait for a bit.' said Mami, looking out a window. 'I expect grandmother will come for us.'
Guy stood behind her and laid his hands on her shoulders. 'So, how does it feel to be back here, and this time with all of us?'
Mami leaned back against him. 'It's nice to see grandmother, but I think you guys won't feel very much at home here.' she said. 'Okay, maybe Cani will because they have good food here too.'
'Hey!' said Cani. 'I care about more things than just food! Guy has to be there too! And you guys, of course.'
Mami chuckled, then sighed. 'And I have no idea how the family will react to our news.'
'What's the worst they could do?' said Guy. 'Certainly not keep us apart.'
Mami smiled softly and put her hands on Guy's. 'True.'
A minute later the doors to the room opened and in came Mami's grandmother, Liana.
'Grandma!' said Mami and hurried up to her to hug her tight.
'My dear, it's so good to see you again.' Liana said and looked at the others. 'And all of you. How have you been?'
'We're good, majesty.' said Avia and made an elegant bow with her wings spread out a little.
Liana chuckled. 'Leave out the majesty when we're amongst ourselves here.' she said and looked at Mami. 'I think some of her rubbed off on me, or I'm just getting too old for tedious formalities.'
'Grandma!' Mami said in mock shock. 'Behave! As Feli would say.'
'Hey!' said Feli. 'Don't blame me!'
Liana laughed and ruffled Mami's hair. 'So good to have you back here.' she said. 'Come, I'll take you to the guest tower. You'll have it all to yourself while you're here.'
The girls and Guy followed her through several hallways and ended up at a wide spiral stairway leading up to the top of the tower. They went up five storeys and walked into a large suite where their luggage stood behind one of two couches.
'Here we are.' said Liana. 'There are three bedrooms with private bathrooms on each side, and if you like it, there's an indoor pool in the basement.'
Guy nodded approvingly. 'Luxurious.' he said.
'And a necessity when receiving foreign dignitaries.' Liana said. 'I'll have dinner served here if you like. My daughter Liadan, the queen, will be back tomorrow for you to meet her.' She turned to Mami. 'Only Tilia is here now.'
Liana went back to the suite doors. 'I wish you all a good night, and I'll see you all tomorrow morning again.'
The girls and Guy wished her a good night and checked out the rest of the rooms.
'Well, everything's big enough for someone like me.' said Ara as she peered into one bedroom and the bathroom.'
'The bed looks big enough, even though it looks like we won't have much spare room to wiggle on it.' said Cani.
'Ah, remember they don't know about us yet, so we can't have them see us together in one bed.' Feli said.
Guy nodded. 'The rooms must look like they have been slept in.' he said. 'Let's all choose one before they come in with dinner so it looks like we sleep separately.'
Guy took one of the rooms furthest from the suite doors and the girls played rock, paper, scissors to decide who gets which room and settled in just before a knock was heard on the door.
'Enter.' said Mami and a couple of servants came in with trolleys.
They swiftly set a table on one side of the room and presented several dishes to choose from. One servant showed Guy the small collection of wine in a cupboard which also held a mini bar.
