Chapter 10: Family Dinner

Trixie and Spud entered Canal Street Electronics and found an unusual sight: their friend Jake Long was wearing a suit. "Wow!" Trixie exclaimed.

"Are you taking Rose to a fancy date, Jake?" Spud asked.

"This doesn't involve Rose, Spud." Jake answered. "My Grandfather and I are dining out."

"That's right, young one." Lao Shi added as he entered the place. He too was wearing a fancy suit.

"Still looks too overdressed for the occasion." Trixie commented.

"My Aunt wants to introduce us to her new boyfriend." Jake explained while taking the precaution to avoid mentioning her name since 'Patchouli' isn't a very common name and Trixie might know Jonathan Long's sister went by that name.

"She must really love the guy if she wants to impress him that much." Trixie stated.

"Someone you know?" Spud asked out of curiosity. He wondered if it was some Long Enterprises executive.

"Probably not." Jake answered. "She says she knows the guy from college."

After that conversation and the proper goodbyes, Jake, Lao Shi and Fu went to the Magus Bazaar. The three went to a restaurant (the same one Jake and Fu went during that episode with the magical game controller) and a waiter guided them to a table where Jonathan, Susan and Haley were already waiting for them. "Hola, Jake!" Jonathan greeted. "Hola, Lao Shi. Hola, Fu Dog."

"Hi, Dad. Hi, Mom. Hi, Haley." Jake replied.

"Greetings, Jonathan, Susan and Haley." Lao Shi added.

"Hi, everyone." Fu added as well.

"Where's Aunt Patchouli?" Jake asked.

"She and Stan haven't arrived yet, son." Susan answered. "We're early."

"Stan like in the sewer troll?" Jake asked.

"I don't know, Jakers." Jonathan answered. "There are lots of people named Stan." He then looked around and noticed his sister. "But we're about to find out."

"Hi, everyone." Patchouli Long greeted her brother and his family. "This is…"

"Stan the sewer troll." Fu Dog completed for her.

"Do you know him?" Patchouli asked in surprise.

"Fu and I met him during one of my missions as the American Dragon, Aunt Patchouli." Jake explained.

"Stan and I are longtime friends." Fu added. "And I must congratulate him for getting a girl with the big bucks, I mean, big brains."

'Yeah, that's what you like about my sister, Fu.' Jonathan thought to himself.

"Good to see you again, Stan." Jake commented.

"The same thing to you, American Dragon." Stan replied.

"You may call me Jake." Jake said.

"So, what have you been doing after college, Stan?" Jonathan asked.

"Well, as a troll of the kind that can't be exposed to sunlight, that puts a limit to my job opportunities." Stan sadly commented. "I can get some odd jobs from time to time but hopefully I can get a job as a watchman somewhere I'm never expected to take a day shift."

"I'm sure John here can help you with that." Fu suggested. "That's what rich friends are for."

"Fu!" Lao Shi angrily glared at Fu Dog for that.

"Well, by what I hear, it's possible the company I'm applying to work for is a subsidiary of Long Enterprises and I simply don't know that." Stan commented.

"I hope not." Jonathan replied. "Future family meetings would be so awkward."

Dinner has then been brought to the whole family. "So, how's it like finally having dinner with your family after that time away from us?" Jonathan asked Jake.

"It's one thing I've missed, Dad." Jake answered.

"So, have any dragon slayers arrived too close to, well, you know?" Susan asked out of worry.

"Not a chance, Mom." Jake bragged.

"Huntsgirl's come too close last time." Fu corrected.

"Fu!" Jake berated Fu.

"I must have watched too much of Power Rangers." Jonathan commented. "I'm okay with a teenager protecting a city from magical threats."

"John, based on what you think of the kid being in charge of protecting magical creatures in New York, I have one thing to ask." Fu formally stated and then pointed at a steak. "Are you gonna eat that?"

"Yes, Fu." Jonathan answered to Fu's dismay.

The rest of the night went on without any further incidents.

End chapter. Sorry it's shorter than usual. It's more like a filler anyway. It was only after writing the previous chapter I've decided what to do with Patchouli and Stan.