Bashenga had just exited his room, only to run right into his parents as they were leaving for the festival.
"Oh good!"
"Oh no…"
Valerie interlocked her arm with her son's and smiled proudly.
"It's a good thing you're up. I was worried that you would try to sleep through your sister's celebration."
"Celebration..? Is she talking already?"
The baby stared at Bashenga, and he stared back at her.
"…She's not a very charming conversationalist."
"Oh, and you are?" Valerie rolled her eyes.
This was the first and only time that Bashenga seemed like he was about to smile at a joke made at his expense. "…Touché, mother. Touché indeed."
Valerie smiled and started pulling her son down the hallway.
"Come on. We'll only be there for two hours at the maximum, so you'll be able to come back here soon and be my favorite little edgelord again."