11 Baby Debut
Briana’s heart freshly quailed, when she saw a forest of women and men’s suits – at least until she spotted her aunt. Kiara stood out among the crowd in every possible way, from her height, to her black skin, to the startling white dress she was wearing off the shoulder. She favored clothes that showed off her powerful shoulders. If it was for intimidation or pride, either way she was projecting a confident air that had the room captivated.
Though all eyes were on Kiara, Briana’s aunt wasn’t merely basking in the attention. She caught the Little girl’s arrival as soon as she stepped into the country club’s conference room and turned to her with a big smile.
“Briana!” Long strides put Kiara in hugging range within moments. Briana found herself hugged with as much enthusiasm as her aunt showed at home. “I see Emeline didn’t have to coach you on your dress, I like your choice of outfit.”
“Grandma picked it for me, actually – but how did you know Emeline didn’t?”
“Because your aunt knows that even if I can appreciate your skirt, I would never have chosen it,” Emeline said.
“It’s perfect. I’m sure you would have had words with your grandmother if she’d picked something you hated.” Kiara grinned. “Now, come meet the politicians.”
Briana had only enough time to plant a somewhat genuine smile on her face before she found herself in the thick of faked enthusiasm. Being barely five feet tall had often made people mistake Briana for a younger woman than she was, but she felt downright childish among so many officious strangers. Briana found herself dumbstruck, but luckily her aunt was already barreling ahead with an introduction.
“I’d like to introduce a new addition to the Rasmussen family. This is my niece, Miss Briana Tess Rasmussen.” Kiara put as much real gravitas on Briana’s name as Briana put on pretend airs when she referred to herself as a Cloudland Princess.
Maybe that’s the best way to deal with this, Princess Briana doesn’t get nervous talking in front of crowds. That the crowds in question were made up of stuffies was a factor she could ignore for a minute of pretend. Briana straightened her spine and managed a clear tone of voice.
“Pleased to meet you all.”
“That would make you Veronica’s daughter?” A blonde White woman with gray streaks in her hair held her hand out to Briana. “Carissa Sharatt, City Manager.”
Briana shook the offered hand, which set off a wave of handshakes and individual introductions that quickly became a blur. The only other politician to stand out was the one who didn’t offer a handshake, merely holding her hand up in a tepid wave.
“Lorraine Bolinger, Planning Board Chair.” She was a White woman in the most severe suit of the bunch. Her black and charcoal color scheme matched the steely expression on her face. The only flash of color on her at all was the gold cross pendant resting prominently on her gray blouse.
“Now that my niece and assistant are here, shall we talk business?” Kiara motioned and the mass of people moved.
Politicians clustered around the oak conference table that gleamed in dark contrast to the cream colored carpet. The room was open and airy, with a fifteen foot ceiling that boasted exposed beams of polished birch. There were several expensive looking chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and the exterior wall was all window. Though the sun was setting, the room still offered a spectacular view of the club’s attached golf course. Briana stuck close to Kiara and sat at her aunt’s right hand as directed. The room’s opulence would have been intimidating – had she not spent a few nights at Vakhaven. It’s nice, but it’s nothing compared to the Green Dining Room at Grandma’s – at Kiara’s house. And that’s not even the fanciest room.
“This is a meeting for the Planning Board, so I’m sure no one minds if I take the head of the table.” Lorraine’s aggressively pointed comment seemed out of place – no one was stopping her from taking that seat even as she spoke. A moment later, Briana realized that Lorraine had been speaking directly to Kiara. She felt a frowny wrinkle between her eyes.
“Of course, Chairwoman.” Emeline set a plastic bound report in front of Lorraine before making the rounds to hand a copy to each member of the city council. “You all received Ms. Rasmussen’s proposal by email, these copies are for reference. I think we’re ready to begin unless anyone would like to question the data upon which the proposal is based.”
Was that a power-move? Briana asked herself, as she hastily flipped through the report. Having Emeline respond to Lorraine instead of Kiara replying directly? The report was surprisingly short and low on actual data – at least to the eyes of someone who regularly read experiment reports and scientific journals. It seemed like a summary of a summary, only a few pages long with surprisingly large font.
Unsurprisingly, Lorraine did want to contest the data. She wanted to contest everything in the meeting it seemed, twice if it came from Kiara. Though the room was filled with a babble of conversation, little substance reached Briana’s ears. In an hour of discussion, nothing had been said that elided her own summary of the issue to Emeline – that accessibility was going to cost money, and therefore people were opposed to it.
“I hardly see what the proposed benefit is, Ms. Rasmussen,” Lorraine was saying. “Nothing in the report suggests an increase in commerce or beneficial taxation as a result of your proposed ordinance changes – it’s a pure spending proposal.”
“The benefit is to human beings who are not being treated as hospitably by our city as they ought to be.” Kiara had a stern expression on her face. Of the councilors, only Lorraine and one of the men seemed able to confront her Aunt’s confidence directly, the rest looked down and flipped through their reports when Kiara turned her gaze on them.
“Our city spends quite a bit of money on hospitality that doesn’t provide a net benefit. It’s all very well to propose that we go out of our way to accommodate people, but there’s a real cost to business owners that you’re not acknowledging.”
“Community investment is a moral duty for the business community.” Kiara countered smoothly. “The Rasmussen family has always invested in Ardenthill, and we’ll continue to lead in that regard.”
“She’s saying it’s a hard sell to business owners if they only lose money and don’t see an upside.” The confident male counselor spoke up. He was a White man with slicked black hair and a suit that reminded Briana of something.
A billboard! I see him on a billboard every day on the way home from school. He’s a lawyer – Eric Patterson. Proud of herself for not only following the discussion – especially one deadly dull to Littles – but also recognizing someone, Briana piped up in the space left by Kiara’s frustrated silence.
“As someone who has friends with physical disabilities – as well as being the shortest person in every room myself – I think this is important enough for the City to make the effort. I’m sure we can find a way to help any business that has trouble adapting to the new standards.”
Heat prickled in Briana’s cheeks as the whole table turned toward her. She didn’t dare look at her Aunt to see if Kiara approved of her little speech. Admitting for a moment that she wasn’t as sure as she sounded would have her crumbling in front of all the authoritative Bigs in front of her.
Since no immediate response seemed forthcoming, Briana plunged in again, though her heart was pounding anxiously enough that she felt it might drown out her words. “My interest in disability issues is why Kiara invited me to this meeting, I’d like to see this project through personally.”
A surprised murmur went around the table, setting Briana’s knees knocking together. To her great relief, Kiara reached over to squeeze Briana’s arm. The contact sent a stabilizing shot of warmth through the Little girl, just in time to keep tears out of her eyes.
“I see. Well, we certainly can’t disdain your enthusiasm.” Lorraine said, while her tone made it clear that she certainly could and did disdain Briana’s involvement. “At least your offer of help for business owners is a step in the right direction. As it happens, I have a candidate for a needless restriction we can remove in order to make economic room for the Rasmussen proposal.”
“Interesting, please, do share.” Kiara’s voice carried an aggressive edge that had Briana’s muscles tense all over again.
“For over a decade, Ardenthill has required businesses to build family restrooms that are as expensive as they are absurd.” Lorraine pulled a stack of reports out of her briefcase, handing them off to be passed down the table. “Changing tables that can hold up to three hundred pounds is the worst of these requirements, but there are plenty more. Who are we catering to, elephant mothers?”
Briana took her copy of Lorraine’s report with fumbling fingers. Without extra-sturdy changing tables, her friend Arthur wouldn’t be able to be Little in public. Lorraine’s report went well beyond that, though, cutting the required bearing weight for a changing table down to a mere fifty pounds. Pixie-like though she was, Briana wouldn’t be able to use a changing table with that rating. She couldn’t imagine there were many – if any – ABDL Littles that could manage it.
“This is a huge change – it basically gets rid of the special family restrooms in town completely!” Briana could feel her tone getting hysterical, and she could see the frowns developing on the council members as it did. Unfortunately, that only increased the tightness in her chest.
“You’re a fast reader.” Lorraine’s condescension kept it from being a compliment. “That’s a good analysis. Not only is that kind of extravagance on bathrooms unnecessary, but it attracts the wrong sort of person.”
“Lorraine.” Kiara’s voice was flat and stern in a way that made many of the council members blanch. “I’ve asked you before in meetings not to imply – or openly say – that there are wrong sorts of people. That kind of language is only a step away from hate speech.”
“Oh please, you yourself helped write laws that keep people you don’t like out of the public sphere.” Lorraine scoffed. “The only people who could possibly need to put three hundred pounds on a changing table are those freakish diaper-wearing adults. Is that the kind of person you’re hoping to attract to Ardenthill, Kiara?”
The tight band around Briana’s chest pulled taut, leaving the Little girl unable to draw breath. She felt dizzy and sick – her fingers hurt from gripping the conference table too tightly. Inside, she was screaming at Lorraine. Who are ABDL people hurting? They aren’t freaks! Stop being hateful to my friends! Nothing made it past the paralysis that had gripped her on the bus. No one in the room was denouncing Lorraine, Eric was even nodding along with her. She’d just called an entire class of harmless people undesirable freaks, and no one was standing up to…
“I want everyone to feel welcome in Ardenthill – I don’t ask newcomers or visitors about their hobbies, culture, or secrets.” Kiara shook her head. “I didn’t realize you’d come to this meeting with such an axe to grind, Lorraine. Is this going to be a problem going forward?”
“You mean, am I going to advocate for decency and wholesome values in my home city?” Lorraine shot back triumphantly.
“If this is the sort of discussion we’re going to have, perhaps it’s best if we table the issue for now.” Kiara shrugged. Briana stared at her aunt aghast, unable to believe that the indomitable Kiara had given up so easily.
“That might be a little bit hasty – though I have to say, Lorraine, you did get a bit heated there.” Carissa, the city manager, spoke up for the first time other than murmuring agreement along with others. Briana furrowed her brow at the woman’s sudden change of heart.
“It’s more than a little heat. I’m no stranger to being told I don’t belong, and I don’t like seeing that sentiment here in Ardenthill.” Kiara leaned back in her chair, stony faced. “The Rasmussen family has enjoyed working with many city councils over the town’s history, but we know when a particular council is too difficult to work with.”
Suddenly wide-eyed, Eric leaned forward and said, “I hope this doesn’t affect your view of the downtown restoration project.”
Kiara made a dismissive wave. “Oh, we’re committed to that project, but we aren’t tied to a particular timeline. It may be better to avoid animosity and postpone the restoration work for a year or two.”
A year or two – so after the next city council elections. From the consternation on the faces of the councilors – even Lorraine, Briana could see that Kiara had scored a big point. As glad as she was to see Kiara sticking up for ABDL people and the meeting’s original purpose, she found herself wishing it had been a point scored on principles instead of money.
“I don’t know if that kind of decision needs to be made on the restoration project tonight,” Carissa’s smile was so strained it seemed liable to shatter. “Or on tonight’s issue either. Can we agree to a general resolution supporting a more hospitable Ardenthill – for visitors and businesses alike – and revisit this another time?”
No one was happy with Carissa’s suggestion – Briana herself was outraged – but the council went along with a vote anyway. With the meaningless resolution voted in, the evening turned to political gossip and drinks. Briana clutched a champagne flute filled with cranberry juice and stuck like glue to Kiara’s side.
~~~*~~~
It was by virtue of her Princess of Cloudland persona that Briana managed to hold herself together until the event ended. That the tears didn’t start flowing until she was in the parking lot was something she counted as a victory. She gave herself a gold star for crying quietly too – though that was mostly due to not wanting Lorraine to see her upset.
“Little one.” Kiara’s gentle voice shattered the last of Briana’s composure. She was up in her Aunt’s arms and sobbing into Kiara’s shoulder in a moment. Luckily, the parking lot was dark and Kiara had parked as far in the back as Emeline had.
“That was awful.” Briana had her arms around Kiara’s neck so tightly it was almost a chokehold.
“I’m so sorry, Briana. I didn’t expect your first council meeting to be one where your identity got attacked.” Kiara patted Briana’s back gently. Briana’s sobs came out in the same rhythmic pattern, making her feel even more ridiculous and Little.
By the time she’d cried out the worst of her sobs and Kiara was putting her in her car seat, Briana’s diaper was soaked. She didn’t care – even welcomed the feeling as a further retreat from adulthood and the ickiness of the evening. Kiara’s best aunt status was narrowly saved by her wrapping Briana in a blanket before setting off for home. The fuzziness of the blanket was a poor substitute for Alanna, but it managed to bridge the gap until Briana could race from the car to her bedroom.
Surprisingly, it was Kiara who stepped through Briana’s door moments after the Little girl threw herself on her crib and grabbed her stuffed Lioness. She’d have expected immediate comfort either of her parents, her sibling, or Tia Rosa, not her aunt. Not that Kiara wasn’t unwelcome. Now that Briana was home, however, all bets were off on where her snotty nose landed. She shamelessly pressed her face into Kiara’s white dress as the post-crying shudders ran through her.
“Do you want to talk, or do you just want me to pet your hair?” Kiara asked softly. Wisely, she was already stroking Briana’s hair.
“Both.” Briana sniffled. “I feel dumb for being so upset. What you said at the meeting – about being excluded – I’m sure it’s been way worse for you.”
“I’m glad you’re not comparing being ABDL to my being Black – because they aren’t the same at all.” Kiara scooted a chair up to Briana’s crib and took a seat before returning to her gentle stroking. “That doesn’t mean what Lorraine said didn’t hurt, or that you shouldn’t be upset, or that excluding ABDL people isn’t wrong.”
“More people have been saying stuff like that – but this time it was right at me.” Briana whimpered. “I didn’t know what to do, I just froze, again.”
“I didn’t realize that sentiment had reached Ardenthill, I thought this would be the last place it’d show up.” Kiara sighed. “It’s fine to take a break from politics. I pushed you into this, thinking it’d be perfectly safe.”
“I don’t want to take a break.” Briana sniffled loudly. “I can do this.”
“Briana, you don’t need to put yourself in another situation like the one tonight.”
Indignantly, Briana squirmed out of Kiara’s grasp and hauled herself to her full sitting height in her crib. “I’m a Princess AND a knight of Cloudland, PLUS I’m a Rasmussen. I got frostbite to save my sibling. I’m not giving up!”
A joyous, loving smile blossomed on Kiara’s face. She picked Briana up and cuddle-crushed the Little girl in a hug on her lap. “It seems everyone has a nickname for you, and I think I just found mine.”
“What is it?” Briana squinted up at Kiara pugnaciously. “It better be a pretty one.”
“It is, but it’s strong too.” Kiara grabbed a wipe from the nearby changing table and scrubbed the snot off Briana’s nose. “Tessa – because Briana is too small a name for the big-hearted Little girl on my lap.”
“Like – like Magna Grandma?”
“Just like her.” Kiara kissed Briana’s forehead. “It’s a big name, you’ll have to do more than you already have to earn it.”
“Do all your presents come with self improvement plans?” Briana accused.
Kiara laughed, bouncing Briana on her lap. “You’ll get used to it. We both have Tess’s spirit, after all.”
“I need a diaper change.” Briana pouted.
“I noticed. Let’s take care of that now.” Kiara scooped Briana up onto her changing table and shimmied the Little girl’s dress off.
“Won’t Mom and Grandma and people think my new nickname is – weird or something?”
“I don’t think so.” Kiara popped the tapes on Briana’s diaper, wiping her down with more enthusiasm than skill, though she was getting better at changes at an impressive rate. Plus, she was as good at manhandling Briana as anyone other than Gary. Briana reveled in the Little feeling that came with helplessness and snuggled Alanna.
“You’ve made quite a splash – I didn’t expect Vonnie to adopt anyone so soon, let alone somebody like you. On top of that, you broke Mom’s stubbornness down in the space of a week.” Kiara chuckled as she put a fresh diaper under Briana’s hips. “People have gone their whole careers without making Michele budge.”
“It’s because I told her I loved her.” Briana squirmed with happy abandon during the application of her lotion – making sure it got everywhere it needed to go.
“That was brave, and so was holding things together tonight.” Kiara sprinkled powder on Briana’s crotch, then playfully blew a puff of it at the Little girl’s face.
“Ack!” Briana coughed and laughed in equal measure, wiggling away from Kiara. She got only a few inches before her aunt pulled her back and tapped her securely into her diaper.
“Most of all, it was genuinely impressive to see your resolve after you’d been crying.” Kiara dropped a nightgown on Briana and helped her find the armholes. “I’m proud to have you as a niece.”
“You’re proud of me?” As fun as she was for diaper changes, Kiara had a lot to learn about pep talks. Briana was right back down the emotional roller coaster, with tears blurring her vision.
“You bet I am, and I know I’ll be even more proud in the future.” Kiara swept Briana and Alanna both into a hug that sent Briana’s roller coaster upward again – and forced the Little girl to admit her aunt might know what she was doing with the encouragement.
“I’ll work on the disability thing – but I think someone needs to stand up for Littles. I don’t mind being brave – but – I’m Little, and I need help.”
“That’s what your auntie is here for, Tessa.” Kiara bounced Briana in her arms, grinning triumphantly. “I’ve got your back.”
“Even if you have to support ABDLs in public?”
“Especially then.”
“Okay.” Briana shuddered as a nervous, hollow space opened up in her chest. It was surrounded by fierce warmth though, unlike the iciness that had gripped her at the meeting. She leaned into the love Kiara was giving off, doing her best to multiply it back in with a super snuggly Briana hug.