Chapter 4: Speeding 101

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"... It could be worse... One of us could have lost a limb! Or this could have happened at splatfest! Or it could have happened before I got to taste such a legendary sundae! Or they could have destroyed the tower, or-"

"Jill, that's enough." Simon cut off their twin sister, gently reaching a comforting arm out to rest on Toda's leg.

Toda glanced briefly at them, then started to tap his leg with his phone anxiously. Bato was going to be fine. He was going to be alright, and one of his moms would text him if he wasn't... Oh Judd what if he wasn't?

"We should ask mom to pick up some food though." Jill said. "I'm staaarrrving."

"I'm sure she can do that." Simon replied, then paused as a thought occurred to them. "Oh, Toda?"

"Hm?" Toda asked, glancing over at Simon.

"I have to warn you about my mom's driving..." Simon said. "She's sort of... well she..."

"Mom's a speed demon." Jill said bluntly.

"Ah." Toda shrugged. "My dad tends to drive a little fast too."

"Hold onto that thought." Jill snickered, then stood up quickly. "There she is!!!"

A dark colored sports car, blue to anyone but Toda, pulled up to the sidewalk, sleek and polished. It looked pretty expensive, and well cared for. It had barely been turned off when a lean but muscled woman stepped out. It was easy to tell she was related to Simon and Jill, her cheeks were freckled, she had the same eyes, and a similar nose. Her tentacles were kept tied in a fashion that left them dangling just at her chin. And she looked.... Awfully familiar.

"Mom!" Jill said, running up to her mother and hugging her, Simon following right on her heels.

"Whoa, miss me much?" She asked, hugging her children tightly.

It was about then that Toda recognized this newcomer, and his eyes widened a little. Madeline 'Derby' Grace, a master of the carbon roller. When she was younger and played in children's turf wars, she actually used roller skates for extra speed. She was also the one who got this practice banned. Captain of the Thunder Skates, she lead her team to the national championships four years ago. They didn't win, but it had been close.

"Sorry I couldn't make it to the court thing, my work is a pain on the social life." Madeline said, wiping a tear of joy off of Simon's cheek. "But the season's going to start dwindling a little now that fall's coming, I'll be home a lot more."

"I'm just happy you're here now!" Jill said, hugging Madeline tighter.

Madeline chuckled, kissing her daughter on the forehead. "Are you both alright?"

"I-I'm just fine mom. The three of us are just fine." Simon stammered.

She looked confused for a second, but then looked up as she remembered, meeting Toda's gaze. "You must be Toda." She said, momentarily letting go of Jill and Simon

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