Chapter 2 Page 12 - It's time to go home Mati and two lamias chapter 23 by The Reaper

The walk toward the exit was a slow process, mostly because Emily was treating the mall's polished floors like her own personal racetrack. She glided in wide, sweeping arcs, the massive white hoodie billowing behind her like a sail. Every few steps, she would spin around to check the opal necklace, making sure the "math magic" was still there, her blue tail whipping with a rhythmic *thwack-thwack* against the floor. Mati walked beside her, carrying the shopping bags and feeling a bit like a pack mule, though the tired smile on his face suggested he didn't mind one bit.

"I think we've officially survived the first shopping trip," Mati remarked, glancing up at Emilia. He felt the warmth of the mall's climate control fading as they approached the sliding glass doors, the evening air beginning to seep in. "Though I'm pretty sure we've set a record for the most fleece purchased in a single visit." He shifted the bags in his grip, his skinny arm muscles straining slightly under the weight of Emily's new wardrobe.

Emilia let out a melodic laugh, her red coils shifting with a fluid, rhythmic grace as she glided closer to Mati. She reached out, her fingers lightly brushing the shoulder of his red shirt as she peered down at him with an expression of deep appreciation. "You have been a wonderful sport, Mati. I suspect Emily is already planning her next 'quest' for more treasures," she teased, her blue eyes shimmering. "But for now, I think a quiet evening at home is in order. We wouldn't want our little cloud to overheat in that fleece."

As they stepped through the sliding glass doors and into the cool evening air, Emilia's presence felt like a protective wall beside them. The red of her scales caught the fading sunlight, casting a warm glow over the pavement. She glanced at the shopping bags and then at the sheer joy on Emily's face, her maternal heart swelling. "Thank you for doing this for her, Mati. It means more to her than the clothes themselves. To have someone like you... it's a gift."

Mati felt a warmth in his chest that had nothing to do with the evening temperature. He looked over at Emily, who was currently trying to see if she could "swim" through the air by waving her arms inside the oversized sleeves of her hoodie. Her laughter was infectious, a bright sound that seemed to push away the lingering remnants of his old, lonely life. He shifted the heavy shopping bags and gave Emilia a modest shrug, though his brown eyes were shining with a quiet sense of pride.

"It's really no problem, Emilia. Seeing her this happy... it's worth every penny and every dizzying lap around the store," Mati replied, his voice soft. He reached out and gently nudged Emily's shoulder, causing the young lamia to wobble slightly. "Besides, if I don't help her pick out the best 'math magic' gear, who will? She needs a professional consultant for her technical wardrobe." He chuckled, the sound genuine and relaxed as he began to lead the way toward the parking lot, feeling a profound sense of peace.