“I have heterochromia.It freaks people out.”
“I do not trust someone who can’t meet my eyes.”
Izzy sighed.“Isocar Lavrel.”She pulled her glasses off and then met the woman’s gaze.“Restoration mage.”She handed her a business card.
Oory blinked and took the card.“Holy shit.I see your point.Gold and crimson are an unlikely combination.”
“I have skin tone to match the eyes, if that makes it better or worse.And that does mean what you think it means.”
“Oh.”
“Yes, ma’am.So, I am here to remove the plywood from the door, walk around, and create an estimate to restore the internal framework to code-passing condition.From there, it is cladding, insulation, and drywall, but that isn’t my business.”
She nodded.
“Can I get going?”
“Certainly.I can rip the panel off for you.”
“No.Thank you.The wood here has been traumatized enough.I am efficient, stronger than I look, and quick.I will be done within the hour.”
“I will come with you.The homeowner is near and dear to our community.Her mate still owns the house next door.I believe he is saving it for her son.”
“Nice.”
She walked to the door and removed the slab of plywood by taking out the upper screws, stowing them carefully.She leaned her weight on the wood and pulled the rest of the screws.
When the wood leaned toward her, she caught it and set it aside.Oory grunted.Izzy didn’t know why.She stepped in and smelled the accelerant.Her eyes were great for seeing in the dark, so she moved around the space, found the initial point of impact, and then made notes on the structure.
Oory followed her and touched the desk where the most devastating impact had occurred.“She was working here.She had taken a break because her son had gone out for late-night tacos.If he hadn’t done it, she would have been very badly burned.”
Izzy nodded.“Right.I can see the fire.There was no one inside the house, but the backyard was full.The firefighters got here quickly.Someone in the clan had a water talent that managed to douse a lot of the early flames.I will just check the attic and send my estimate.”
She looked up and jumped, landing on some lightly charred joists.The interior just had the exit marks.The fire had come in through the broken windows and out through the roof.It was a strange chimney effect that was common in magic-spurred fires.
She nodded and estimated her work at five hours at five hundred per hour.So, if Hannah got authorization, she could fix it in the next three days.
She jumped down and landed lightly in front of the orc.“Okay.I am done.Thank you for the escort, Miss Oory.”
“That isn’t my last name.”Oory looked at her in bemusement.
“I know, but I am not an orc, not a clan member of any species.I have no right to use chosen and clan names.”She smiled.“If you follow me out, I can lock up.”
“I can do it.”
“No.Mine is the estimate, mine is the responsibility.”Izzy smiled.
They got outside, and she raised her hand.The plywood settled in place, and the screws left their container and re-fastened the board to the wall.
Izzy picked up everything and headed back to her car.Oory followed her.Izzy set everything back in place and smiled.“You have questions.”
“No.Yes.What are you?”
“Is it important?”
“I suppose not.I have just never seen someone with your characteristics or patterns.”
“Oh, the patterns were showing?Sorry.”
