So, as it turns out, Carmilla is actually a shapeshifter.
Yeah, it took Laura by surprise, too. Carmilla takes a new form somewhere between the daycare center and the diner, which she can only describe as aggressively Texan and probably belonging somewhere in El Paso, not Austin.It's mostly empty and they take the table farthest from the cheap speakers that are pumping out a country tune, some song about losing the girl you love.
(Which, granted, doesn't really narrow it down.
Laura really hates country music.)
Her Dad slides into their side of the booth first, smiling up at the waitress who introduces herself as Gabby. Carmilla, who is no longer the Carmilla she knows, but a perfectly mannered young woman who says 'please' and 'thank you', slides in next to Skyler.
Laura frowns as Carmilla folds her hands on the table, doing everything to avoid eye contact with her.
No, with her Dad. Carmilla meets Laura's eyes for a moment and she sees it - the nervous glance towards her Dad's badge. Her eyes close for a split second and she opens them again to stare holes into her placemat.
She's nervous? No. Not nervous. Afraid.
It's not exactly a surprise, a lot of her friends have had their reservations when meeting her Dad. Police officers can be intimidating, and he does have kind of an angry resting face when he's on duty. Laura tries to smile encouragingly because really, her Dad is possibly the least scary man on earth. She tries to twist her face into an expression that somehow communicates 'don't worry, he collects baseball cards and thinks it's cool'.
She's marginally successful. Carmilla relaxes, either out of genuine comfort or fear that Laura might be starting to see through her callous and indifferent disposition. Either way, Laura takes it as a small victory.
Gabby hands them their menus and lists the afternoon specials while Skyler pokes Carmilla's side. Laura can't hear what he says but Carmilla rubs his back for a few seconds and nods.
Definitely a shapeshifter. Laura has officially befriended a shapeshifter. Are they friends? That still feels up in the air.
Gabby walks away and Laura's dad sets his menu down. "So, Laura, do you want to introduce me to your friend?" He smiles at them.
"Oh, yes, uh Dad... Meet Carmilla Karnstein."
"Karnstein? Are you related to the Principal?"
Carmilla nods and fidgets with the silverware near her hand.
Laura sets down her menu. "Wait. You're the Principal's daughter?"
"Karnstein's not exactly a common name, Laura."
Laura realizes quite suddenly that the nicknames don't annoy her as much as she thought they did, because this feels way too formal.
"Yeah, but - I just never-"
Her dad smiles and she can tell he's trying not to laugh. "She's right, you know. It's not exactly a huge leap." He nudges her shoulder with his own. "You'll have to excuse Laura here, she's a bright one but she's not so quick on the draw sometimes."
"Um, hello. Right here?" She gestures to herself as he laughs.
"It's very important that your friend gets to know you, Laur. Adorable little flaws and all."
"Shut up." Laura smacks his arm with her menu. Which does, as she expected, absolutely nothing to stop him from teasing her.
Carmilla leans forward. "Oh, I've got to hear about the adorable little flaws."
