But it was their business. They were the one who’d pulled the fish out of its watery home. They were the one who’d stepped in and decided that it was time for something’s life to be over because they were hungry and their own life required it. Mosscap was right to look as unflinchingly as it did. Dex was ashamed that they hadn’t, before.
Mosscap reached out its hand. With an aching gentleness, it lay its fingers on the animal’s dying body. Its eyes became focused, and it bowed its head closer.
“It’s all right,” Mosscap murmured, its metallic voice thick with respect and sorrow. “I know. It’s not fair. But it’s all right. It’ll be over soon.”
Mx. Avery stared at Mosscap, their gaze as conflicted as Dex felt. They hesitated for a moment, then put their hand on Mosscap’s shoulder as they, too, watched the fish’s movements begin to slow. Dex did the same, a silent prayer to Bosh running through them. All three sat still, and together, they held vigil as something that had never existed before and never would again ceased its struggling and came to an end.
5
THE SHRUBLANDS
“Can we go over it one more time?” Mosscap asked.
“Sure,” Dex said as they pedaled through the dappled shade.
Mosscap began to tick things off on its fingers as it walked beside the bike. “Nora and Theo are your mother and father.”
“Yes.”
“They are currently still partners.”
“Also yes.”
“They have a partner named Abby. She wasn’t involved in raising you.”
“Not very much,” Dex said. “She didn’t move in until I was in my teens. But we get on well.”
Mosscap nodded. “And your father has a partner named Jasper.”
“No,” Dex corrected. “My dad has a partner named Felix, and he has a son named Jasper. Jasper is my stepbrother.”
The robot frowned at the mistake. “And you didn’t grow up with Jasper.”
“No. Dad and Felix got together after I’d already moved out, and then Jasper decided to move to the farm a few years after that.”
Mosscap’s head whirred. “But you did grow up with your sisters.” It began to count on its fingers again. “Violet, Sadie, and you. In that order. You’re the youngest.”
“I am indeed.”
“And Violet—no, Sadie is the sister you share both parents with, biologically.”
“Yes.”
“Violet is Nora’s daughter, and her father is … oh, no…”
“Radley,” Dex supplied.
“Radley,” Mosscap said with a sigh. “Yes, he and your mother were together, and then they weren’t, and now she’s with your father, but they’re still the best of friends.”
“He’s basically my second dad,” Dex said. “He and Liz have lived next door forever.”
Mosscap turned its head in confusion. “Who’s Liz?”
“Radley’s partner.”
The robot looked defeated. “And then there are your aunts, and uncles, and cousins. And your sisters both have partners and children of their own.”
Dex gave Mosscap a grin. “The cousins do too.”
Mosscap groaned wearily. “I know you’re of a social species, but goodness, Sibling Dex. I’m never going to get this right.”
“You don’t have to,” Dex said. “It’s always chaos there, and nobody will expect you to navigate it. You’ll see—my dad mixes up the little kids’ names all the time.”
“I just want to make a good impression,” Mosscap said. It looked away to watch a bird fly by. “Meeting your family is a very different sort of occasion than meeting strangers.”
Dex laughed. “It’s not like you’re moving in, Mosscap. You can make any sort of impression you want.”
“Yes, but—oh, no!” Mosscap’s lenses widened with worried realization. “I haven’t brought a gift!”
Dex tried to keep their eyes on the road. “Why would you need a gift?” they asked.
“People do that in books,” Mosscap said. “When they come to stay at someone’s home. Isn’t it customary, to bring a gift to your host?”
“Well … sure, but—”
“I need a gift, Sibling Dex,” Mosscap said firmly. It paused. “I’ve never given one before. What sort of item is appropriate?” It opened its satchel and began to dig around. “I have some very good rocks. I don’t wish to part with my binoculars. What about clothespins; would they like clothespins?”