Chapter 389: Banquet

And so the Hayle sisters rode into battle, our demon cat between us.

Dad met us in the hall outside his own quarters, on the same level as the dressing room we'd been shunted off to. Even he had changed completely this time, into what looked like a very old-fashioned version of a tuxedo-if tuxedos were made of odd fabric eddying with movement as though a living organism flowed around inside and if spikes from every joint were ever de rigueur.

He looked about as unhappy as we had earlier so I didn't poke fun at his porcupine outfit even as Pagomaris gushed at how wonderful he looked.

"Time to go," he growled, cutting her off.

She took the hint.

I considered taking Dad's arm again, if just for the stability of having him beside me, but at least these platform boots were flats, no real heel, and with a few careful steps I felt more confident. Besides, if I was going to literally stand on my own two feet here, if appearances were, in fact, as important as I was beginning to believe, w