A bit shorter as I didn’t want to get too far into the weeds here. The twins are fighting, again and always, but the reason this time is rather rude to Graf’s wife. Pai steps in to correct some misperceptions. Graf does raise a good question: where did Henry get the idea “Auntie” was not real?

Saying her husband would not be home until much later, Llaura Hartmann did welcome Pai’s assistance in the kitchen.  A simple meal of pulled pork with barbeque sauce and a side of buttered green beans, Graf did note with a suppressed smile that their hostess kept sneaking looks at his wife.  Not as bad as Alix’s family, but androids are so uncommon in the imperium as to attract attention, even from grandchildren of the imperial family.

There was a smack followed by a yell behind him.  His twins, barely able to walk, were rolling around punching one another.  Do they ever stop?

“Henry!  Philip!” he yelled picking them up by their shirts and shaking them.  “You are guests in the house and will behave!”

“He started it,” Henry mumbled.

“He said Auntie isn’t real!” Philip hollered; he was picking up English much faster than his brother.

“Not real, am I?” Pai said from right behind Graf.  She took Henry.  “Let’s test that out!”

“Don’t hurt our kids, Pai,” Alix said, coming down the stairs having changed clothes for dinner.

“Just going to scare him.  No worries,” his wife replied, going out the front door.

“You,” he said to Philip, still suspended in his right hand, “were right to defend my wife.  But wrong to use your fists.” A small shake.  “There’s a time for violence and this was not it.  Get it?”

“Yes, Dad.”  Graf set him down.  The boy sulked.

Graf heard a “Sooooory!” from outside and up in the air.  Guess he just got a flying lesson; hope Pai catches him.  Into the kitchen, he asked Llaura if there was anything he could do to help.  She indicated the stack of plates and flatware.  That was a odd thing for a toddler to say.  None of the kids are demis, so where did he get that idea?  From Alix’s mother before we came down here?  Need to find out.

“I need to see if Ödi is awake from his nap,” Llaura began.  “The food’s in a holding pattern, so I’ll…”

“My I?” Pai asked, coming back in and carrying a shaking Henry like a sack of meal.  “I’m a little curious about something.”

“Curious?” Graf watch their hostess freeze.  “Is there a problem…?”

“Nope.  I’m just curious.  Kinda like you watching me all the time!”

Llaura blushed.  “I…I’m sorry!  It’s just I’ve never… beyond when y’all dropped everyone off…”

Pai handed his nervous son to Graf as she passed.  A light touch to the Llaura’s shoulder.  “We can talk tonight once the kids are asleep.  Nothing secret, but they’d be bored.  And, if you think this form is interesting, wait until we drag a Fusion here!”