With a sulky Kestrel in tow, we picked up my car at the crystal shop. Corey declined to join us for lunch, saying he'd been called back to the lab to aid in the investigation. Reine, Kestrel, and I grabbed a quick lunch, and returned to the Crowne Plaza Perimeter. Whereas in the morning the cars had been unloading mostly large equipment boxes with a smattering of arriving ‘Con-goers, now they spewed forth giggling young men and women and older ones with indulgent smiles. Old friends greeted each other with hugs, and porters dragged luggage racks piled high with sparkling costumes and wings behind chatting cosplayers who already wore pointed ears.
One young brunette in a blue dress and fake wings said to Reine, "Oh, your ears are awesome!"
"Thanks, I've been working on them a long time."
