"Hmph!
You let Mael get away with far too much.
Why does he get to do whatever he wants while I have to put up with all kinds of supervision?
It's not fair!
I want more freedom and privacy too."
Little Annie waved her fists, making no secret of her indignation and envy.
Of course, she might also have been trying to wring a few concessions out of him.
As someone of chaotic alignment, she had always been an opportunist, forever coming up with little schemes and tricks.
Watching his daughter's almost convincing performance, Raymond smiled. "You know perfectly well why you're supervised.
As for Mael...
Once he returns, I'll check on him before deciding whether to give him more freedom or place restrictions on him too.
Now, stop looking so aggrieved.
You know that doesn't work on me.
I'd seen through that act more than once by the time you were knee-high."
"How did you know I was pretending?"
Little Annie dropped the act at once, confusion showing in her eyes.
She had spent ages working herself up before coming here, determined to make it look real.
She had never expected him to see through her at a glance.
What actually upset her wasn't that Mael had run off. It was that her brat of a little brother had gone to do something so fun without taking her along.
"Heh. That's a secret. A father doesn't need a reason to understand his daughter, does he?"
Raymond winked mysteriously, clearly enjoying himself.
Seeing that her trick had failed, Little Annie rolled her eyes.
She was about to say something when she felt the space around them tremble. A Spark tore through it, bringing its owner into existence before them. Mael had returned.
But he no longer looked wooden, cold, or