On the way upstairs, she kept mouthing the word "rooms". Curious, Alex turned to face her. "Ma'am?"
"Mia, please. I'm not quite used to all this formality." Large and earnest, her eyes blinked once- twice.
He smiled. "All right, Mia. I hope you like it here."
The next person they encountered was Alex's grandfather. He shook hands cordially with Mia, who seemed charmed. Then the unexpected occurred. A brown-tabby tail flicked over her shoulder. Grandfather started, then grinned boyishly. "I had heard about your unusual trait, but this- forgive me. You must be feeling jet-lagged."
"Quite." She yawned, exposing sharp canine- or rather feline- teeth.
"Ye gods," murmured Alex.
Mia glanced at him and fled down the hall.
**
At dinner, both parents and grandparents anxiously awaited her reappearance. Alex toyed with his fork.
"Would someone go check on her?" Ekaterin broke the silence.
"I'll go," ventured Helen. She didn't wait for permission, but made for the stairs.
While they waited, Lady Cordelia eyed her son and grandson. "Who's going to own up?"
"The girl wanted to study abroad. This is as far abroad as she could get." Seeming fascinated by his plate, Grandfather spoke to it. "I'm afraid our Barrayarn culture is a bit too engrained. It's not the girl's fault if we stare."
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