262 A favor (1)

Why would Navi purposely pretend like she was apologetic about the situation. To lead me on? Doubtful. To get sympathy? Maybe…

Whatever, no use trying to unearth her thought processes with how little I have to go on.

"Just because I can't feel it doesn't mean I can't tell you are communicating! This is even worse than last time."

Me trying to figure Navi out had led to a standstill with mine and Navi's gaze interlocking. With her constant although fake change of expression, Melody naturally can tell that we are somehow communicating. However, since Navi isn't speaking into my mind, Melody can't feel us communicating like she did last time.

An awkward silence ensues as we all stand by the door. I quickly reach the limit of how much more of this I can bear and give up. I stride past Navi and open the door to our house. I motion for both women to enter first and close the door behind them. We all take a seat in the living room.

Sitting in my comfortable chair, really it's more like I'm lounging in it, I feel a lot less tense. A quick glance tells me that we have about half an hour before the girls will be home at the earliest.

Hopefully we can discuss this matter before they arrive. Melody seems to think the same as she addresses Navi who has just been sitting there, waiting for us to speak.

"Well then, what is this favor of yours about?"

Navi shifts around on her seat for a moment. The way she does it perfectly portraits the image of someone nervous about their next words. I give her a pointed look, threatening to end this charade by calling her out for pretending. Immediately, her overly pronounced nervousness fades and she sits up straight.

"Guy has been planning a trip for your family to an amusement park. I was just wandering whether you would be fine with a plus one. She could help look after your daughters so you'd have some quality time together."

Navi tries to keep things ambiguous but I can see where this is going so I respond immediately.

"No, Valeria will not be joining us on this trip. If she's unable to work, I'll most certainly not allow her near my daughters."

"Come on-"

"No way!"

As Melody audibly clears her throat, both Navi and me pipe down.

"Guy, I'm glad that you are trying to protect our daughters from… something. But as their mother I would like to know what that thing is and why I wasn't told about our neighbor being a danger to our children."

I suppose I should have told her…

While I am trying to figure out how to tell my wife about Valeria having strange feelings for our daughters, Navi goes ahead and just tells her everything.

"So Valeria might be in love with my daughters?"

"Love is a bad word for it. Let's call it affection."

"And you said there was no lust involved?"

"I can't detect any traces of lust directed towards them. She just seems to be drawn to spending time with them. Ever since her relapse she just sat in her house, refusing to do anything. When I mentioned you going to an amusement park she showed interest for the first time in days.

"I know this is a lot to ask and I shouldn't be using you to solve company troubles but I see no other way to get through to her. We haven't even figured out why she relapsed, she was fine for a while after everything happened!"

I can feel that Navi is desperate and this time, I think it's real. She's like a mother who's worried about her daughter. Melody's gaze visibly softens as she probably sees herself in Navi.

"Can you guarantee that she won't be able to do anything untoward towards my daughters?"

"Yes, Melody. I promise you, if Valeria so much as makes a wrong move I'll immobilize her. She'd be wearing a special collar that can completely shut down her ability to move or use skills."

Melody gives me that look and I know that she's already decided to agree.

"Isn't it fine? She can watch the girls and go on some of those maddening roller coasters we wouldn't want to join in on."

I'm starting to sway. I find it difficult to deny Melody anything she earnestly asks for. Navi, seeing that I'm being persuaded, immediately adds on some more persuasion.

"Valeria has been to most of the big amusement parks there are. She is very knowledgeable regarding the good spots and secret attractions."

Under the combined pressure of the two women, I break like a damn during an unexpected flood.

"Thank you, both of you, for agreeing to my selfish request. Have you decided yet what amusement park you'll go to?"

"I thought I would just get a list of the ones close by and let the girls decide. Melody?"

"I would have done the same."

"By all means, don't limit yourself to just the ones nearby. I can get you free access to a teleportation station to any of the big parks."

"In that case, we'll just ask the girls what amusement park they always wanted to go."

""Wonderful lily park!!!""

"How long have you two been listening?"

Melody tries to sound playful but I can see that her smile is too stiff to be real. If the girls heard the part about Valeria's problems, things might get complicated.

"Since you and big sis Navi were convincing daddy to let big sis Valeria tag along."

Thankfully, both girls are too giddy with joy to notice the tension behind Melody's question. They also don't appear to have heard any of the troublesome things we discussed before that.

Well, I'm just glad they are on the same page about what amusement park they want to visit. I pull out my phone and a quick search brings me to wonderful lily park's site.