“Well, why don’t you go read your history books, then? Or is that too much like... homework? Oh yeah! You both have homework!” “Aww...” “Can’t we do it later...” “No, now. Your instructor called again today, do the words Fira and boy’s bathroom mean anything to you, Edie?” “Uhh... nooo...?” “Surre.” Chuami looked at the two of them over her glasses. “Don’t you laugh, Isa. I know it was you who got her in there in the first place. What have I told you two?” They rolled their eyes and sighed as one, though Edie’s eyeroll was particularly enthusiastic. Eight is a bad age when you’ve got two of them, and they’re both inexplicably capable of wielding source magic already. “To make trouble, not a mess.” Their mother responded with a proud smile. “That’s my babies. Now go do your homework and I’ll call you down when dinner’s ready.” The twins went shuffling off up the stairs, shoving each other and laughing as they went. Chuami caught a few Al Bhed curses drifting down from their bedrooms and shook her head. It’s not like she could tell them off; that was mild compared to what she came out with at that age. Putting her sketchbook down, she took off her glasses and wandered out to the garage, where the twins’ father was working on the car. “You see something you like...?” he called back. He turned towards her with a grin, wiping his hands on a rag. After a moment, as Chuami stood and watched him, silent and unsmiling, he tossed the rag to one side. “I’m fine. No big deal. They were just asking about it, somethin’ to do with class.” “You sure? I’ve talked to that instructor before--” “It’s not a problem--” “You want me to shoot her a little?” “No, I do not want you to shoot the kids’ teacher.” “Can I do it anyway?” His smile returned and he crossed the space between them to wrap his arms around her waist and kiss her, smearing oil on her shirt as he did it. Chuami rested her head on his chest and sighed. “What’s the real problem, Chu?” “... That bitch called Edie a problem child. When I was on the phone to her.” He stiffened slightly, then relaxed, taking a breath. “Hah. Good.” “Good?” “Never did us any harm.” Chuami looked up at him, grinning. “You think? I don’t know, I am known for the occasional bad behaviour.” He kissed her again, slower this time, thinking. “How bad are we talking?” “Get in the car and I’ll show you.”