Jasper

Before moving to Indigo Plains, Jasper hadn’t researched the town much. Kit had been right; it was an impulsive purchase but a needed one. She knew Indigo Plains operated mostly at night, with its large nocturnal population and all. With three schools, one hospital, and a tight-knit fae community, Jasper figured there wasn’t much to it.
Their delivery run proved her wrong. Sure, Indigo Plains lacked high rises and an urban symphony, but it was rich with life. Far from a sleepy town, pedestrians crowded the sidewalk. Bodies spilled from a rowdy bar, and a group of teenage satyrs laughed into a busy cinema.
Everyone Jasper encountered was kind and quick to introduce themselves. The shops and eateries were packed. There wasn’t a piece of trash in sight. And she hadn’t tripped over a rat or stumbled on a beer bottle.
The air on Great Oaks Street was sweet and savory. The aroma snared her. A food stand in front of Zarbies bakery gathered their attention.
“Oh, hay now!” Nieema doubled back and inhaled with dramatic flair. “These are Nana Fosters’ famous meat pies. Flaky dough filled with salted pork, spices, and extra cheese.”
“Where can we pay?” Kit asked. Quick to spend money he didn’t work for. “Where can—”
“These are samples. She puts them out at the end of every night. We’re coming up on two am, she’s about done.”
“Soooo…” Kit clutched his new journal, waiting for Nieema’s answer.
“Go ahead, sir! They free.”
“Excellent.”
Jasper loved free food and wouldn’t pass on this. The first buttery bite made her sag. She shook her head and grumbled with a bulging cheek.
“This is—“ Kit lost his tongue and moaned. “I can’t think of anything else. I want a basket full.”
“Well, most order by the dozen.” A gentle smile and eyes greeted them. “Hello, there. You must be new in town.”
The fairy elder with pastel pink curls and gauzy wings fluttering at her back hobbled over and extended a hand.
Jasper accepted the salutation with thanks. “Jasper, it’s nice to meet you, ma’am. This is my brother, Kit.”
The man waved, smiled, and chewed.
“I’m Nana Foster, and these here are my Poppin’ Patties.”
“They are positively delightful,” Jasper admitted, her finger itching to grab another.
“You know me, Nana.” Nieema winked and said, “I’ll take two-dozen. Add ten more for my friends here.”
“Now, why are you two hangin’ with this troublemaker?”
The women cackled and hugged, Nieema patting her back on the pull away.
“I may be trouble, but I’m the best kind.”
“You know better than to lie to me, girl!” Nana Foster slapped Nieema’s arm with a towel. “How’s that mall business going?”
“You know, going.”
Jasper witnessed the elder darken, her jovial nature evaporated.
“I never wanted no strip mall. I didn’t vote for it.”
“Ninety percent of y’all did, and Bobbi had to be fair, Nana. He—”
“It ain’t gonna do nothin’ but bring mess and take our business.”
“You know we’re loyal. Indigo Plains will not turn its back on you.”
Nana sniffed and snapped her towel. “Yeah, until a mighty big-name cookie shop promises something new.”
“A cookie establishment will not have these delectable treats, Nana Foster.” Kit gave a curt nod and plucked another pastry.
“Two per mouth.” Nana quirked a brow and her hip.
Jasper nearly choked as Kit grimaced and put the pie back. Demons had elders too, and knew better than to cross them.
“Well Nana,” Nieema piped, “I’ll be by to pick up the order tomorrow. We gon’ get on the good foot. I gotta get supper started.”
“I know, feed those babies.”
“They’re grown!”
“Grown as a sapling.”
Nieema bid Nana farewell and Jasper did the same. The elder pinched Kit’s cheek and he gleamed. The display was erroneous. He’d never let a soul touch his face, let alone a stranger. Then again, Kit appealed to an elders nurturing side. It could be his features and stature.
“She’s nice,” Jasper announced. “Everyone is nice. It’s nothing like Misthill.”
“You stayed in the capital?” Nieema asked, clearly astounded. “Girl, six-million people is too many for me. The hustle of the city isn’t my favorite.”
“I think you’d fit in well,” Jasper said, stopping at her truck.
“However do you mean?”
“Your attire is…”
“What? You ‘spected boots, a cottage dress, and pigtails?”
“Maybe. your husband is a stereotypical cowboy.” Jasper traveled from Nieema’s neat and tidy box braids to the tips of her buckled boots. “Y’all are polar opposites.”
“You know what they say ‘bout opposites, don’t ya?”
For the third time on this wee early morning Nieema opened the door for Jasper. It was sinful how heat flared upon her cheeks and spread. The little woman caused a scene and Kit giggled climbing into the backseat.
Jasper claimed passenger and grinned at the wily vampire. “Are you this chivalrous with everyone?”
“Only those I deem worthy. Buckle up!”
Nieema slammed the door and was quick about hitting the gas. Weird, disjointed music filled the amicable silence.
“What is that raucous?” Kit asked. “It’s offensive and vile!”
“Skat jazz.”
Jasper boomed with laughter because this shit didn’t fit Nieema either. “You’re a strange, perplexing woman, Mrs Sunside.”
Nieema popped a shoulder. “So I’ve been told.”
“Jazz, quilts, and a cowboy husband? You’re two steps away from front-running a death metal band with electric blue hair and black nails. Can’t say it doesn’t suit you, however..”
“I know you can’t, tuhuh! I look damn good.”
“What melody is death metal?” Kit tapped Jasper on the horn. “Will I like it?”
“Think Core Dread.”
“Yuck! I hate it already.”
Nieema smiled, eyes on the road. Headlights illuminated her glossy, tailored brow, the curve of her nose, and the sharp point of her fangs.
“So,” Nieema began, “I think we should go over what we’ll be doing tomorrow.”
“With my house?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“What can be done?”
“For now? Survey and demolition.”
Jasper winced. “I’m sorry, what? Demolition?”
“It’d be doing you a favor,” Kit murmured, not minding his own business.
“At least it’s mine, and Father didn’t acquire it for me.”
“Well, just so you—that’s… I refuse to stoop.”
Nieema chuckled as if something amused her. Jasper failed to see what she had. A demolition was the exact opposite of what Jasper wanted.
“What do you mean by—“
“Calm down, woman. Damn. Listen, in order to rebuild, we must destroy first. The floor is rotten. The walls are crawling with mold. The wiring is faulty, and there probably ain’t no repairing the pipes. Everything must go, then, renovations.”
“Oh, okay. So then I’ll need a hammer and such.”
“Girl, you gon’ need a sledgehammer.”
“Sledgehammer?!” Kit bellowed. “I have a war hammer much like it. Can I help? Can I demolish?”
“Sure,” Nieema said, mid-giggle. “But you’ll have to be fitted with safety gear first.”
“We’ll be wearing armor too? This place isn’t as ab as I thought. First, the bean casserole, then home and goods, meat pies, and now, I get to wield a hammer!”
Jasper loved her brothers enthusiasm and thirst for violence. He was the Dukes favorite thanks to his appetite for war. She didn’t buy it, though. Kit had been molded by their patriarch. He walked the path Carriont paved and ached for approval. Countless children and Jasper was the first to leave.
“What are we gonna do now?” Jasper asked.
“I’ll throw dinner on the table, then call it a night.” Nieema parked in the driveway, gathered her satchel, and slipped out of the truck. “You can mosey about under my roof if you’d like.”
They followed her lead and retrieved Kit’s wares. Jasper had only bought herself a few necessities, whereas Kit, went apeshit on cat toys, journals, and sheet sets.
Nieema’s comment wasn’t a suggestion, but an invitation. The roll of her tongue spoke where she had not.
“Think I’ll catch a rain check on dinner.” Jasper glanced at her yawning brother, then studied the gorgeous farmhouse. “I don’t operate on a nocturnal schedule yet. I’m tired as hell.”
“If you change your mind, let me know.”
“I will.”
Nieema’s carmine appraisal remained for three seconds too long. “Hope so, ‘night y’all.”
“Goodnight, madam,” Kit said. “Thank you for the outing. I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun.”
The vampire frowned. “I wouldn’t call working fun, but you’re welcome. If you wanna see some real fun, I’ll show you. We’ll make a night of it.”
“Excellent.”
With a wink and wave, Nieema jogged into her home. Jasper groaned as her head dropped. She kicked pebbles and muttered.
“I think she likes you,” Kit remarked, stating the obvious.
“Thanks for the news. Come. Let’s get drunk on berry wine and watch Head Chef.”
“Head Chef?” Kit’s lilac stare brightened and sparkled with glee. “Is it like Cooked and Charred?”
“No. It’s more like Bottom Flame Kitchen.”
“Nice. Watching land dweller shows is technically research. I’d loved to learn more about their cuisine.”
“Most people don’t eat what they make on those shows.”
“I will. I’ll be happy to give these dishes my best effort.”
Jasper let Kit prattle. It was nice to hear him talk about something other than battle and ranks.
“I’ll be your taste tester.”
“Terrific.” Kit swung his bags as they marched for the cabin. “This is going to be great. You’ll see.”
“Can’t wait.”
She grimaced and prayed for her poor guts. Whatever Kit had in mind scared the shit out of her.

Thank you so much for reading! You’re an incredible human!