Paging Raleigh -- The Fifth Child

[AmbushCat]

Ellen: ... *answers after a few more bites* ...Last rat? I'm guessing there's more than simple mousing involved.

[Raleigh]

Is anything ever really simple? Excluding faith I suppose. So, want to work on some of that paper manipulation or check out some more of the plants after we finish up here?

[AmbushCat]

Ellen: *after a few more bites* ...Maybe some more regarding the paper. If I can phrase it properly, I'll be having a question to ask you.

[Raleigh]

Oh ho, really? Alright. I like it when I'm asked questions even if I fear sometimes I speak over the heads of some of my students occasionally. I can't tell you how many times I've had to use my time magic to save some of my shapeshifting students from doing something wrong even after warning them about possibly losing themselves to the instincts of a form.

[AmbushCat]

Ellen: ...Was it anything to do with technical terminology? My own teachers at school are sometimes hard to understand.

[Raleigh]

Once or twice that was the issue. I had a class of somewhat gifted students at the time and didn't realize one student in the class wasn't quite following the information I was providing. I've since tried to focus, when I personally teach anyway, on a person to person lesson style. A lot of the other times were just because they failed to properly follow the advice on how to prepare and buffer their minds for the alteration. A lot more incidents occur of course during inanimate shapeshifting again mostly the fault of failing to heed warnings.

[AmbushCat]

Ellen: ... *thoughtful, even as she eats* ...I'll have to ask Mom sometime if my baby brother's forms are limited to just those four. ...*frowns* ...I still wish she hadn't gone back on her word, though.

[Raleigh]

Uhoh. Could I ask what promise she broke?

[AmbushCat]

Ellen: ...She was having some initial behavioral problems with Eebon and Elk after we were born. I heard her say in a firm and clear voice that she didn't want another kid after us, and that was fine with me.

[Raleigh]

I see. Still I'm not sure that qualifies as a promise exactly. Her not following through with her own comment bugs you eh? I can understand that a bit.

[AmbushCat]

Ellen: ...It was one of those one-liners accompanied by "I swear", uttered in a tone underlined with anger. ...Now that you've mentioned it, it sort of feels as if it were just uttered in the heat of the moment. *picks at the remainder of her meal*

[Raleigh]

Ah yes those happen sometimes. It is particularly an abundant reaction amongst adults at times when they are caught up in dealing with an issue or feeling some sort of pressure. Well then, if you are finished we can move onto working on your paper mastery if you wish. Ebony should be here in about another 20 minutes at this point.

[AmbushCat]

Ellen: *finishes the last of it and scoots off the chair* ...Sure. Anyplace you want me to be, or should I just make a little bit of space between myself and the table?

[Raleigh]

We can do it here if you wish. Let's just put about six or seven feet between us and the table. *The dishes begin to float off back to the kitchen.*

[AmbushCat]

*Ellen does as instructed, placing her card deck in her hand and snorting in quiet amusement at the floating dishes.*