S a l e t é I V

XLI - Volonté - Quinze

"It's easy. For nines, add ten and take off one. For eights, add ten and take off two, and so on. I've mentioned it in the past, but it really does work." Sunshine was explaining, her simplified way of touching upon times tables an approach that even Sleeves could rate well in spite of her obvious dislike for the subject. 

She did have one issue, however.

"If we've already been over this before, then why are we doing it again?"

"Because your head is like a sieve when it comes to numbers." The teenager replied, not a second of hesitation in sight.

"What does that mean?" Sleeves asked, a question that Shipshape was delighted to answer for her.

"It means you're dumb."

"I'm not dumb! Sunshine wouldn't call me dumb, she's not a bully like you." She replied, her belief in the older girl whole.

"It means you're forgetful, that's all, and it doesn't mean you're dumb." Sunshine indeed explained, giving Shipshape a short, stern glance that was enough to have him straighten up.

"Everyone can be forgetful at times, including me."

"Everyone except Swoopy, you mean." Shipshape replied, almost under his breath. 

If he'd meant to imply that she was some kind of teacher's pet, then he'd failed miserably in his attempt to tease her, as she'd clearly taken what he'd said as a compliment.

"Oh yeah? What's seven times seven?" Sleeves asked the girl, challenging her out of the blue. Swoopy was quiet for less than two seconds before she gave her answer.

"Forty nine."

"Is that right?" Sleeves asked Sunshine, the way in which she'd actually had to ask getting a good laugh out of Shipshape and a chuckle from Cassia.

"It is." Monet replied on her fellow teenager's behalf, saving her a short amount of time, but time nonetheless.

Sleeves was evidently quite impressed, giving a small round of applause that caused Swoopy's shyness to emerge in full, a smile working its way in their too.

Cassie had been having about as good a time as she possibly could have with them that afternoon, their company working to dispel her doubts in the usual fashion, such a warding effect always welcome regardless of its temporary nature. Sweets had gone upstairs for a rest after the majority of the lesson was done with, Sunshine advising her to go on up.

As much as she enjoyed sitting with them all, the knowledge that they would soon have to depart on another search once the others were back was never far from her mind, the tensions that came with it not far behind in turn.

Even so, she'd managed to tune out everything beyond their pool of candlelight. If it was beyond the reaches of the darkness that bordered it, then for now - just for a blissful few minutes - it couldn't harm them.

"Cassie, you must have gone to school, right? I can't even remember if I've asked you or not." Shipshape said as he turned her way, folding his arms as hie gaze turned inquisitive.

"I didn't get to start, but I did a lot of work at home. Me and Adeline did it together." She replied, Sunshine smiling at the thought.

"Huh. That doesn't sound too bad, I guess." He mused, the idea of being able to work from somewhere comfortable appealing to him even if nothing else did.

"What about you, Monet? Did you go to school?" Sleeves asked, taking her chance whilst it was there.

"I didn't attend school, no. I had a very good teacher who I worked with at home."