Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75457 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75457 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
It wasn’t?
Oh dear.
“Agent Murphy?”
Shoot.
“I took off the privacy thing.” My mate whispered out his frustration as his head crashed to my shoulder. “Fuck.”
I agreed.
“Work time.” My mate was an important person and his role couldn’t be ignored.
“Yes.” Straightening, he did his get ready motions again. “Work.”
As he made the door open, looking as if he had been interacting with our technological magic for his entire life, my human agent looked professional and stern as the door opened. “Professor Zorin, how can I help you?”
His pout was not professional at all, but it showed he had been practicing his Earth expressions. I could not decide if he should be criticized for his behavior or praised for his practice. So ignoring it seemed to be the best option.
“I was given the task of explaining your morning meeting.” He did his best to give my agent a pleasant look but there was a power play behind his words. “Two departments are requesting your presence and are not willing to back down.”
Yes, power plays.
My mate was professional and made a curious sound that the professor understood indicated he wanted information.
“What you would call the history department is having a morning meal of eggs and what we think is something close to the food bacon if it was described correctly by Wren of Earth.” Professor Zorin shifted slightly to show displeasure. “The regional tradesmen are exploring new food based on the description of breakfast desserts.”
Exploring?
“That sounds…interesting.” My agent managed not to wince, which was commendable. “It sounds like I’m supposed to choose where to go?”
He did not like it when the professor nodded, but he did a wonderful job of keeping what they called a straight face.
English.
“You were expressing an interest in our history.” At least, that was what I assumed part of his desire for story time had been. “I’m sure the tradesmen would understand your interest.”
When my mate nodded, I turned to the professor. “Please explain the situation to the tradesmen and offer to have several of the Earth people at their meeting.”
They would not be happy at the original slight but additional visitors would make them feel important.
“I think that would be a wise choice.” Even the professor didn’t seem excited about their food options. “I am not sure they understood their goal.”
My mate pressed his lips together but did not react in a way that I thought the professor would understand. “I don’t mind helping them but I think one of the other visitors was a baker when they were younger. They might be better served talking to Beatrice about the food and Hugh about how we handle small businesses.”
That was a much better plan and would leave more time open in my mate’s schedule for more productive conversations about how commerce would be handled through the portal and his thoughts on funishments.
Sometimes first-hand experience was necessary to truly understand a custom.
“That sounds like a reasonable plan.” Professor Zorin looked like he wanted to sigh but he seemed to have decided to behave himself. “Are you ready to go to the large conference room?”
I assumed the answer would be yes but my mate paused and frowned like he was thinking. “One minute. The history department changes things.”
As he turned around, he focused on me. “I’ll be right back. I have something for them.”
I gave him the correct version of a nod as he went back to his sleeping space but the professor shifted and indicated curiosity. Ignoring him would’ve pleased me, but I was acting in a professional capacity for my mate. “Because I was kept away from Agent Murphy, we have not had enough time to review his plans for each department.”
Hmm.
He wanted to wiggle like a fish trapped on a hook.
Fishing.
Yes.
Was Professor Zorin behind us needing to be separated?
“Ready.” My human agent came back to us with a stack of books in his hand.
Books.
For someone else.
My mate wore a smile that made me think he understood what I was thinking. He smirked. Naughty, naughty mate.
“I’ll show you the other gifts I brought when we’re done with meetings for the day.” My mate was clearly pleased with himself, making me wonder if he’d brought me something as well. “I should get more organized and I’ll need some help with that.”
“Of course.” I nodded my head to indicate understanding and kept my tone neutral. “I would be happy to help.”
The professor was watching us closely but kept his questions to himself.
His restraint was remarkable given how impulsive he seemed to be.
“Now I’m ready.” My human agent was presenting himself professionally but he was enjoying making the professor curious and enjoying my frustration. “Thank you for being patient.”
Brat.
He knew I was not the type to appreciate waiting.
“You are welcome.” The professor stayed with us as we left my mate’s rooms and kept me from being able to ask any questions. He was smart and kept his questions to himself, though, which showed he was smarter than he appeared because I had to work on my control.