"For the next order of business, we need to determine who will take primary responsibility for Yugo and Adamai," Chibi announces at the head of the table, hands folded and back straight. Qilby scribbles notes furiously in his notebook.
"I can help! I like babies!" Nora yells, with all the tact her 14-year-old self can muster, that being absolutely none. On the table, the young Yugo reaches out of his basket, grabs Nora's finger, and giggles. Mina chuckles, offers one of her hands to the baby, and with the other pulls on Nora's hat teasingly.
"You're still a baby yourself," she says. Nora scoffs and folds her arms. On the other side of the table, Glip clears his throat and sits straight; Baltasar's pleading glances for someone to help detach Adamai from his ear go ignored.
"I will take care of Yugo's education, as usual," Glip says, "but Baltasar and I are far too busy teaching to raise a child myself."
"Understood," Chibi says, and then looks directly at Qilby. "Well, how about Qilby and Shinonome? I feel they could handle the kids." Qilby makes a face and holds it until Chibi's hand, under the table, slips into his own and the king gives him a secret smile. "I'll help you," he whispers.
"You had better," Qilby mutters sideways before facing the whole table and saying, "I'll do it."
After the meeting, Shinonome gives Chibi a high-five, and then smirks over at Grougaloragran.
"You're helping me with Adamai."
"I know."
