Effie's estate was truly huge - it was an entire park, really, more than spacious enough for her son to run around in his Transcendent form or for her to lie down and relax on the grass in hers. And that was not even counting the Beast Farm hidden in a dimensional Memory usually kept around her husband's neck.
It took Aiko a few minutes to reach the house. Her stiletto heels were not the best fit for the gravel path, so she ended up flying, as well - the two of them rushed through the air, brushing against the treetops, before landing near Effie's porch.
There, a tall and athletic figure was waiting for them, leaning on a wooden beam.
Effie grinned.
"Well, well, well. Hey there, Tinker Bell."
Aiko glanced up and gave the vivacious huntress a dirty look.
"Hey yourself, Gargantuanne. Look, I brought your Pantagruel."
Effie looked down and then a little more down.
"Why thank you, dear Thumbelina. You are so sweet."
Aiko scoffed.
"No need to thank me, Madam Gulliver. It's my pleasure!"
Little Ling looked between them with a confused expression, then said hesitantly:
"Mom. that's Auntie Aiko. Why are you calling her names?"
Effie laughed, then stepped off the porch and bent down to hug Aiko.
"She had no one to blame but herself! Who told you to be so tiny and so cute, huh, Aiko?"
Instead of an answer, Aiko slammed her fist into Effie's ribs.
"You're going to wrinkle my blouse! Let go, you huge menace!"
Effie squeezed her a little tighter instead, though.
"I am not huge. I am comely, curvaceous, and shapely. Why, jealous much?"
Finally, Aiko was set free. Floating away a few steps, she straightened her blazer and gave Effie a glare.
"As if!"
Little Ling giggled.
Looking at the two women - one extremely tall, the other extremely petite - he raised a hand and waved.
"Auntie! Say bye to mom. Mom's gotta go."
Aiko landed on the ground and blinked a couple of times.
"Huh?"
At that moment, Effie coughed.
"Oh. That's right. I have to run."
Aiko frowned in confusion.
"No, wait a minute. What do you mean, you have to run? I've only just got here?"
Effie backed away.
"Well, you know how it is. I have to steward the East, and all that. They need me in the Castle. and Ling's Dad is off dealing with the city fields."
'What?'
Suddenly, a terrible suspicion hit Aiko. She was so agitated by it that her feet left the ground.
"Did. did you lure me here. to be a babysitter?"
Effie was already a few steps away.
"Sorry!"
Aiko was stunned.
She was scandalized.
"Hey, do you know who I am?"
Turning away, Effie grinned.
"Of course I know! You're the best! Love you, have fun!"
A second later, she was gone, leaving Aiko alone with Little Ling.
Aiko turned her head and looked at the boy in complete shock.
Little Ling smiled and offered her an open palm.
His voice was very serious.
"Let's have fun, Auntie. Also. my gift? Where is it?"
Aiko took a deep breath, then forced out a pale smile.
'I'll. kill her, I think.'