Emily stood up. “Lunch is for after the two of you get ready. Athena, we have some things around to make a costume for you. A temporary one, at least. Teddy, can you pack yours up in a bag to go?”

“Yeah, sure thing, Boss.”

“Can I keep my jacket as part of my costume?” Athena asked. “I want to look tough.”

Emily looked at the rough old jacket. It was thick enough leather, with steel studs on the collars and lapels. It looked very nineties punk, but it likely offered more protection than her own costume. “Sure,” she said. “First things first, though. I want to start with you, Athena.”

“I’ve been thinking about this, as I do with all things,” Athena said. “I should get a wig.”

“A wig?”

Athena nodded, then gestured to her hair. It was on the paler side, and rather distinct.

“Ah, that’s fair,” Emily said. “But I don’t have anything wiglike around. I guess . . . a hat? I think I have a baseball cap somewhere.”

Athena nodded. “That might work for now. Oh, and I’ll need a really big mask because I have glasses.”

“Ah, right. Maybe a scarf then? Something to cover the lower half of your face?”

“Can it be really long and cool looking?” Athena asked.

Emily got up and moved over to her drawers. She had a few scarves, thick and woolen to tough out the winter’s chill. She found a nice red one. It wasn’t too long, but on Athena it might well be as tall as the girl. “Here, how’s this?”

“All right!” Athena said. “Red’s a tough color. And I’ll need pants, too. And big boots.”

“I’ve got boots,” Teddy said. “You can’t have boots too.”

Emily pat Teddy on the head. “It’s okay. You can both have boots. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Teddy blinked. “Hey, can you do that again?” she asked as she grabbed Emily’s hand and brought it down atop her head again. She frowned. “No, it didn’t work this time.”

“Ah, I got a new skill,” Emily said. “Healpats. I think we just triggered it.” Emily looked at her palm, but it didn’t feel any different than usual. “How did it feel?”

Teddy frowned. “You know when someone runs their fingers through your fur?”

“N-no?” Emily said.

“Oh, right. Well, it felt like that, but warm. It’s nice.” She grabbed Emily’s hand and placed it on her head again. “Is there a cooldown or something?”

“Yeah, about seven minutes,” Emily said.

“Hey! It’s my turn to get patted next,” Athena said.

“There aren’t enough pats out there to heal whatever’s wrong with you,” Teddy said.

“Teddy,” Emily said, “I thought you of all girls would be keen to share?”

Teddy blushed and looked away. “Yeah, all right. Fine.”