My Land, My Rules

"As far as I can tell, it's called that because people who used to go to school here come back to visit," Lana answered. "There's a dance and a carnival and opportunities to meet people you haven't seen in a while."

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"I see," Steven said. "So sort of things to do as you hang about with friends? I suppose that's nice. Anyone you're hoping to see?"

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Lana settled in and waited politely while Nell prayed, then started in on the wine and got a piece of bread to go with the soup. "This all smells wonderful, as usual."

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"THey are," Nell said. "I'm very glad that I decided to get them when I came back. They're great company."

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"That's possible," Nell said. "I wouldn't know. I'm sure they're not expensive pies for sure."

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"Well hopefully everyone has fun," Steven said. "And that whatever goes on doesn't interfere with you enjoying your birthday. I'm grateful we were able to spend some of the celebration with you, even if it's a day early."

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"Thank you," Nell said, beaming.

After a few minutes she excused herself and went to finish up the main dish, returning with the savory and slightly spicy stir-fry and rice to put it over. She also set a bowl with stir-fried beef near Lana dna herself. "In case you'd like meat with yours," she said.

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"I'm very happy to be able to have my first birthday party with the four of you," Nell said with a smile. "That makes it very special."

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"It's an honor to be here," Steven told her. "Kind of you to let us spend it with you."

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Nell laughed. "I'm the one getting presents and cake!"

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"Around the world, in total?" Watts said. "Around ten thousand. France is home to about two hundred of those, and Portugal close to three hundred."

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"But we get to share the enjoyment with you," Steven said. "And it being your first - it means a lot to be here."

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"Any particular plans for tomorrow?" he asked. Like Steven, he had no idea what a 'Homecoming' was, so wasn't particularly disappointed to be missing it. Honestly, even if he found out about the dance- well. He was getting to see Steven's home. As much as he enjoyed dancing, that absolutely trumped it.

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"Have they shown much personality beyond chaos yet?" Lana asked.

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"Nell is already here. Illyana's a friend. She just left after summer, so I don't know if she'll be back so soon, but I hope so," Lana said. "And Sabine." Which was...complicated. "We used to date."

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"I see," Steven said, as though he had any experience whatsoever with this sort of thing instead of none at all. "So... bit awkward, I imagine?"

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"Definitely," Lana said, smiling. "I'm sure the vegetables are wonderful, but with apologies to others at the table, I enjoy meat, too."

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"How many?" Lana blinked. "They're all the same fruit, how many differences can there be?"

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"Considering I'm now old enough to be her mother, just a bit," Lana agreed. "Although I did meet her a few months ago, and it was good despite that. It's good to know she's been doing well."

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"Oh," Steven said. That made the awkward... much more awkward. "Yes, I imagine that is a bit difficult, isn't it? If you knew each other as students and there she is still a student."

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Watts shrugged. "A lot of them are man-made," he said. "Via breeding for desirable traits until they're far enough removed from the original that they're declared an entirely new variety."

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"She is at least grown," Lana said. "But near as I can tell, it's been only a few years for her - or at least, it had been. And decades for me. Still, as I said, it was good to know she was doing well, and I hope she manages to make it back. Her version of the galaxy is also at war, so she may not be able to get away."

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"What sorts of traits do they breed for?" Lana asked. "Juiciness or sweetness?"

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"That's horrible," Steven said. "I hope she's all right, and it's all sorted soon."

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