Considering it was now the Year of the Rat, Mary Piper saw it was a perfect time for her to have her sons and daughters who have moved to the various Animalian colonies return to Lyre. While it wasn't a public event, it was one of the biggest ones for the Lunar New Year festivities. The Piper clan had become quite familiar with social media since their complete uplifting and there were a lot of photos that were uploaded.
Mary was glad to see her offspring were doing well. She was also glad that they've been able to find mates outside of their rather shallow gene pool. Currently, she was speaking with her son, Nick-Ear, and his mate Ana. Ana hadn't become as tall or muscular as Mary after converting into a rat, but she made a rather pretty one. "So, was it hard to convert?" asked Mary.
"Not as much as you think," said Ana, "I mean, a rat is normally not one would think of for a romantic partner. No offense, ma'am," said Ana.
"I know exactly what you mean," said Mary, "So what drew you to my son?"
"Well, I always wanted a big family," said Ana, "With a family like I grew up with, I always knew I wanted to have lots of kids. And, well, rats do breed quite a lot. But Nick's a perfect partner for raising so many."
"Indeed?" asked Mary, "Are you already expecting?"
"Yes," said Ana with glee, "I'm not sure how much, but I'm glad I'm going to be a mother. And you're going to be a grandmother."
Mary kept herself from saying that she was already a grandmother, several times over. She didn't keep track of who borne who after everyone uplifted. It was easier to think of all the current adults as her sons and daughters and the ones weren't fully grown or born yet her grandchildren. But Ana will be bringing some very-needed fresh blood to the family.
There were some other non-relative guests at the reunion, but they weren't actually new family. "So, how different is the giant pouched rat from the brown rat?" asked Mary.
"Different enough," said Squeals with a shrug, "Who would have thought the muroid family would be so vastly divided?"
"Not that your daughter isn't a fine woman," said Vishindo, who worked as a landmine remover in Maelewano. It was rather respected work in that it was making lands safe to use again.
"But you aren't able to breed together," said Mary.
"Me and Vishindo don't have to be mates," said Squeals before muttering, "Even if he is good in the sack."
"Squeals," said Mary in a stern voice.
"What? We're all rats here. Don't tell me you don't like to hop in bed with Dad," said Squeals.
Mary had been easing up a bit around Jack, especially since he's improved so much over the last year. And while she did enjoy the occasional sex, she wasn't about to get knocked up again. Not when the apartment complex was still overflowing.
Of course, Vishindo wasn't just here to meet Squeals's family. He was part of the Year of the Rat competition too. Nearly all of the family would be in the competition as well. One of the few exceptions was the next person that Mary talked to. "So, how does it feel to be head of the council, Tamagachi?" she asked.
"Mom, it's Tachigami," said Tachigami with annoyance, "You'd think you'd get that right by now."
"Well, I still think of you as Pearl," said Mary, "Excuse an old mother for keeping the habit of referring to her daughter by her birth name."
Tachigami rolled her eyes and said, "Overly dramatic much?"
"I could say the same for you," said Mary, "Carrying that oversized sword around."
"It's a ceremonial thing," said Tachigami, "And before you ask, I'm not going to favor you over the others in the Miss Zodiac competition. I have to be an impartial judge."
"I wouldn't ask," said Mary, "But then, I don't have much competition, do I?"
Just then, Kelly came over and asked, "How soon before the kids should go to bed?"
"Oh, they can stay up a little longer," said Mary.
"Mom, who's this?" asked Tachigami.
"Oh, I forgot you haven't met yet," said Mary, "This is Kelly, she's our accountant/nanny until she pays off her debt. Kelly, this is Pearl, or as she prefers, Tachigami. She's on the Brush Spirit Council on Heiya Island."
"Brush Spirit?" asked Kelly.
"It's based on a video game," said Tachigami, "Say, aren't you one of the 'Seven-on-Four' girls?"
"Er, yes," said Kelly, "I am trying to pay back my debt."
"I see," said Tachigami, "So, how many of my brothers have been hitting on you?"
"What?" yelped Kelly, making a rather rodent-like squeak.
"Oh don't be modest," said Tachigami, "An unrelated grown female in their midst. You'd be the apple of all their eyes."
"I'm not going to pressure her into the family like that," said Mary, "Besides, she still has to do her work."
"Who do you have lined up for her?" asked Tachigami.
"That's not your business," said Mary, "Maybe I should ask about your love life?"
"Council work takes up too much time," said Tachigami flatly, "I'm hoping someone on Heiya will eventually want a rat wife."
"Don't worry yourself," said Mary, "There's someone out there for everyone. Even for a family this oversized."