005; console; video;

[ruinsprofessor]

[Raine looks a little drawn, but otherwise her face implies her usual cool distance.]

For anyone familiar with my brother, Genis:

He’s returned to our world.

If he left any obligations of which I’m unaware, I’ll do what I can to fulfill them.

[That's it. Despite the fact this must pain her, she's holding whatever emotions there are close to her chest. There's a beat, in which it looks like she might be about to say something more, but then she closes the feed.]

Comments

[ruinsprofessor]

[blasphemy]

I... believe I simply informed him that I expected him to behave like an adult.

[She might have snapped at him a little. The pen-throwing incident was completely unrelated.]

[Pepper's grin sparks a little amusement from Raine in return.]

I suppose there isn't really an alternative.

[lasergrenades]

You really can do magic.

[Seriously. Tony didn't usually listen when he was angry about something until his emotions got the better of him and he got beat up because of it.]

Can you teach me that arte? It sounds mega useful.

[ruinsprofessor]

[A startled laugh. ]

He might simply be growing up.

[She can dream.]

I doubt my tactics will work for you, however. You're classmates, aren't you? [Equals. Whereas Raine, even if not actively teaching, is still a Responsible Adult as far as Tony's concerned.] Perhaps if you inform him you're disappointed in him...? I wonder.

[lasergrenades]

Well, he's definitely taller than she used to be.

[Which is a daily reminder that he's even older than her than he was. She's not annoyed about that at all.]

It usually takes a lot of yelling for him to listen to me. And then he goes all 'sad puppy' and it's really hard to stay upset. [Pepper shrugs.] I guess I can try something different though. Sad puppy Tony is almost as bad as boneheaded Tony.

[ruinsprofessor]

[This laugh sounds slightly more genuine, less startled.]

Regrettably, height doesn't inform maturity.

[Just look at all the tall dumb boys she has to deal with.]

If previous methods have only resulted in, ah, 'sad puppy' Tony, then it may be useful to try a different method, yes. Regardless of what that method is, at least you will gather data on what does and doesn't work.

[It's science.]

[lasergrenades]

No kidding.

[Applying the scientific method to psychology sounded pretty boring, mostly because it required patience, buuuuuuut then again it was probably a useful skill to learn and something that Skulduggery would suggest.]

You are definitely a scientist, Raine. I'll...try.

[ruinsprofessor]

[Raine nearly beams. It's so rewarding when people actually listen to the lessons she's trying to impart. It tempers the loss, even. Just for a moment, but it's something.]

I'd be interested in your conclusions, should you reach any.

[lasergrenades]

[And for that smile, Pepper really will try. It certainly wasn't going to come naturally.]

Just don't ask me to write a paper. I'm taking a vacation from homework.

[ruinsprofessor]

[How did she know.]

I'll settle for an oral report.

[lasergrenades]

[Pepper's expression shifts to somewhere between curiosity and horror.]

You are being serious about this, aren't you?

[ruinsprofessor]

[There's the hint of a smile about Raine again, and her tone of voice is a little too dry to be entirely serious, but the risk is a very genuine one.]

Why wouldn't I be? I am a teacher, after all.

[lasergrenades]

[Pepper groans a little. She walked right into this.]

There will never not be homework, will there?

[ruinsprofessor]

[Raine shakes her head, mock-solemnly.] It's my duty to provide opportunities and encouragement for learning. That includes homework.

[As much as she's teasing, in her way, she does genuinely mean that.]

[lasergrenades]

[Well. At least Raine's brother leaving didn't put too much of a damper on her style.]

I'm more of a learning-by-doing kind of person, honestly. That doesn't mean I want practical exams instead, [she adds hurriedly.]

And Skulduggery is teaching me plenty, too, so it's not like I'm lacking in instruction.

[Sort of.]

[ruinsprofessor]

[She can thank Pepper for that, at least for the moment. This teasing -- banter, whatever they choose to call it -- it's nice. Distracting. Cheering, even.]

It's still important to understand theory.

[But that's light enough that the matter can be understood as laid to rest, and Raine keeps going.]

...what is Skulduggery teaching you?

[lasergrenades]

Uh.

Detectivey things? He usually asks a lot of questions to get me to reach conclusions, mostly his, but sometimes mine.

[He hasn't let her interrogate someone yet, and she is slightly miffed.]

And he puts up with my questions. Actually, he encourages them, just one at a time instead of, you know. All of them.

[ruinsprofessor]

Good. [Any concerns have been near-immediately laid to rest. And Skulduggery sounds like he's teaching her deductive reasoning and critical thinking, which are material. Raine is pleased.] I'm glad.

I'll see you tomorrow, then?

[lasergrenades]

[It's good to know that Raine is playing Overseer/Mother Hen around here. Pepper bets she could rein in even Skulduggery.]

Yup! I'll hide the candy until then.

[ruinsprofessor]

[Well, someone's got to. A smile, and:] Thank you.