Ender, Ian, Nate, Celeste, and Val were playing a card game with Cadence. She was here visiting from Rybrospo for mothers day and her children were teaching her Uno.
"Uno," Ian said smugly, giving Celeste a smug look.
Celeste simply smiled in response and set down her card quietly, giving Val a nod. Val nodded back and set down a reverse card. Ian's eyes widened and he looked at Celeste in horror.
Celeste simply smiled and set down a plus four card, jumped in with another plus four card, "Uno!" and then finally one last plus four card.
Ender laughed and counted them out tossing them over to Ian.
Val and Celeste highfived and Ian grumbled, tossing his cards down on the table.
"How do you always win?" Ian complained.
Celeste just shrugged with a small smile. "Strategy."
Ian stared at her then exclaimed, "Ros, it's a game of luck and twists! How?!"
Celeste just laughed. Cadence also laughed, though she was kind of confused what just happened. This game had so many rules and twists. Nate just watched quietly, smiling. Ian always got mad when he lost... And if he won? He would never let it go...ever. He was still boasting about the few times he beat Celeste in a duel, even now. Celeste always smiled and just let him bask in his small victories though.
"I still don't know if I understand this game, but... It was fun!" Cadence smiled.
All the siblings expressed their agreement, except Nate. He just listened quietly with Cadence. Ian was trash talking Celeste and Val was trash talking Ender. Most of the siblings were pretty competitive.
Interrupting their little competitive discussion, a woman appeared and everything went quiet.
Ian and Celeste exchanged a look then looked at Cadence, who simply nodded quietly then turned to face her.
"Hello, Elder Ramira," Cadence greeted, standing and nodding in respect.
Lysandra glanced around, not amused, and sat down. "I'm glad to see you're finally back from being 'dead,' Cadence. Honestly, you couldn't have taken any longer getting back, could you?" She rolled her eyes then looked around at the table full of Ramiras. "Well, it's good to see they aren't children anymore. Celeste, the pride of our family... How are you, our little master?"
Celeste smiled. "Hello. I'm well, thank y-"
"And Natelo, glad you finally took after your mother and stopped being 'dead.' So smart, like your father," she said.
Nate smiled sheepishly. "Thanks-"
Lysandra turned to Ender. "Well, well... Our little soldier. Done any work lately, besides being brainwashed?"
She rolled her eyes and Ender started to reply.
"And you two!" Lysandra exclaimed, turning to Val and Ian and narrowing her eyes. "Losing our guardian family status and brainwashing your brother and causing all sorts of chaos!"
Val and Ian exchanged a look and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry?"
Lysandra shook her head. "Unbelievable..."
Cadence cleared her throat. "Is there anything we can do for you?"
"Yes, actually. Why exactly are your children living on this ball of dirt?" Lysandra asked.
Ender rolled his eyes. "That's not-"
Lysandra cut him off with a glare then turned to Nate. "You should come back with me and finish your education, Natelo. And Celeste, there are so many opportunities for such a smart young woman like you on our planet. I'm sure André would love to go home too."
Nate frowned. "Actually, I'm staying here... I'm married."
"To a human?" Lysandra asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No no... I'm married to a planet guardian here. Her name is Clementine. And we have two daughters and a son."
Lysandra eyed him for a moment then shook her head, focusing on Celeste. "Think about it, Celeste, dear. I'll be back soon to check on you. The rest of you? At least try to live up to your sister."
She then disappeared and everyone sighed in relief.
