A loud screeching tore through Max's ears and she cursed the world for all she had. A giggle to her left, however, sent her tumbling out of bed. Picking herself up slowly and with a slight wince Max turned her attention to the ball of sunshine laughing for all she was worth. As seconds passed consciousness returned to the older girl, and with it a bit of logic.

"Mrs. M said those words are nasty," Angel pointed out between her giggles and Max grimaced anew. Her mom would kill her if she ever realized she'd said that within earshot of the girl.

"Yup," she accepted wholesomely as she jumped onto her feet and loomed over the younger, "that's why only nasty older sisters say them and not cute little angels like you!" Max, in all her 'nastiness' began to tickle Angel and sent her into another fit of giggles.

"Max," The girl in question turned to see her mother standing in the doorway with a small smile. She was rather surprised at that smile, actually. Either she hadn't heard Max's slip or it was outweighed by the sight she'd been granted walking in. Whichever it was Max new better than to look a gift horse in the mouth.

"Morning mom," she greeted as she took in the wooden spoon her mother held in one hand, "what's cooking?" Her eyes lit up at the notion of food.

"Bacon, eggs, and toast!" Angel squealed as she hopped out of bed (likely in an effort to escape another round of the Tickles of Doom). Max and her mom looked at the girl, one with a raised brow and the other with a delighted smile.

"Quite right, dear." Mom pushed the door wider and gestured for them to head down. "Best get to it before the boys finish everything off." Max's eyes widened at the notion. If Iggy was anything like her (and her mother constantly pointed out the implications of her being avian was what resulted in her rather heavy helpings when it came to food) the table would be cleared before long at all. Dodging her mother and little sister (she was still getting used to that) Max dashed down the hall as Ella opened her door. Max tried not to notice that she was already primly dressed – done for Iggy's sake, although she rather thought her sister would have realized by now it would do little to help her In wooing the older boy.

Not terribly happy with the current train of thoughts Max reached the end of the stairs and in a herculean display leapt down the entire flight of stairs. Her mother called after, berating the fact she would soon find herself with a broken neck if she kept up such stunts. Only listening with half an ear the brunette had already found her place at the table and was busy scooping up large helpings of egg and bacon with a piece of toast crammed halfway in her mouth.

When she finally settled down she looked up and was graced with a rather disturbed look from Robert. Oh yeah, manners. Setting her plate down Max plucked the piece of toast from her mouth. "Uh, morning…Robert." Disturbed turned to displeased. This was going to go well, she realized sarcastically.

"Now, Max," he started calmly in that tone of voice that clearly said I'm an adult and you're going to listen to what I say. Max really disliked that voice. "I understand we're all in a new home and everyone is settling in still. I don't want to step on any toes," she refrained from rolling her eyes, wondering just what he was trying to do in that case, "but I'm putting my foot down in this case. I understand your discomfort, I do," she really doubted it, honestly. Sure she was uncomfortable and it was his fault but they were thinking on totally different levels here. "But I'll not have you referring to me by my first name. I may not be your biological father but I am your step-father. I expect to be referred to accordingly." She did raise a brow at this.

Mom had stepped into the kitchen at this point and looked as though she weren't sure who to back in this situation. Thinking on it, Max didn't blame her. Max had no interest in this man at all, aside from whatever happiness he (for whatever reason) offered her mother. And her mom knew that. On the other side of this bent and crooked coin, adults did typically expect respect when addressing other adults – an issue Max had struggled greatly with in her eighteen years.

This is for mom, she reminded herself before she could open her mouth. Sure there were some nasty things she fancied she might like to tell Robert, but it would only make things worse. While some people might find it hard to believe, Max didn't like starting fights. In most cases she could rather say people set her up, going off an blabbering their fat heads off until she couldn't help but give them a new perspective. In this case, discretion might be the better part of valor.

"Alright then, Pops," she accepted with a shrug. Robert, surprise of surprises, did not seem particularly pleased with his new moniker. At the same time he seemed to realize this was as far as the two of them were going to get with the other and he dropped the matter with a half-hearted nod.

"I appreciate that, Maximum."

"The name's Max," she realized that probably came out a bit more snappish than she wanted. "Maximum's a bit of a mouthful, don't'cha think?" Realizing she was better off keeping herself otherwise occupied the brunette turned to her plate and tossed back two slices of bacon. Much better. Robert seemed to agree with the assessment and returned to his own food. Mom sent her a grateful look and Max shrugged.

Now that the tension had broken – or been stifled, at least – Max heard Angel and Ella take their seats on either side of her. She took notice of the fact Angel had chosen to sit closer to her than her father and was careful to maintain a neutral expression. Something was definitely wrong about their relationship, she decided. Robert glanced up and Max redirected her attention to Iggy.

"What are you doing in the kitchen, anyways?" It was rather uncomfortable craning her neck around for the sake of speaking in his direction. Honestly, why couldn't he eat at a table like a normal person. Scowling in her direction, apparently picking up on the direction of her thoughts, he shrugged.

"I know the layout of the kitchen," he mumbled into his eggs, "t's too early to figure out the dining room." Max considered this and found it a valid point. Mornings were not a time for trying new things. So she dismissed the second birdkid and returned to her food. Clearing her plate once and then twice she managed in a record five minutes. When she went in for thirds her mother stopped her with a stern admonishment to let everyone else eat first. Considering Max could clear out a fully stocked fridge if given proper incentive, her mom knew better than to leave her to her own devices.

"Come back when everyone's finished and you can clear out the leftovers," Max slumped over in tired dismay before pushing herself up more dramatically than was perhaps necessary. Her mom rolled her eyes and shook her head fondly. "I've made enough, you should be able to manage an extra plate or two.

"Now go get ready for school," her mother's amusement was replaced with sharp expectation. "You will be making it there today." Max withered and nodded her head dutifully, playing the obedient daughter as she made her way up the stairs.

Upstairs it was a simple matter of throwing on school-appropriate clothes and pulling a brush through her hair before sticking another in her mouth. Glancing in the mirror Max was neither engrossed nor disgusted by what she saw. It was far too much effort to go through the lengths some females did (and tended to) for the sake of appearances. Why would she spend a ridiculously long time on her hair or face when the second she got into an altercation or decided to do something it would be ruined? Not to mention it would mean getting up earlier.

I'll take sleep over beauty any day. Spitting in the sink Max finished up in the bathroom before throwing on her shoes and grabbing her backpack. Checking herself over she decided all way in order and now she need only wait on the girls and Iggy. Thoughts of Iggy entered her head and she realized there would be no need to catch the bus today. Chances were her mom would be dropping them off and working out Iggy's enrollment.

And making sure Max made it to school herself. She groaned as the notion of her mother walking her all the way to her first class to make sure she didn't detour entered her head. It wouldn't be the first time.

Throwing herself down the stairs in a coordinated tumble Max looked around and saw everyone else appeared to be together and nearly ready. Angel sat on the couch and was currently going through the process of meticulously tying her shoes. As she watched the little blonde glanced up with a wide smile.

"Will you be walking me to class again today, Max?" She inquired with a hopeful expression. Max could practically feel the sweat beading on her neck as she chanced a glance at her mom, only to find her looking her way with a raised eyebrow.

"Ah, I think mom will be dropping us off today," she explained and turned more fully toward the eldest woman. "Yeah?" Her mother was momentarily side tracked from Max's initial school skipping and nodded.

"I need to help Iggy get signed up for classes," Mom smiled and ran her fingers through Angel's curls. "But I'd be happy to drop you off at the elementary if you like. Max will be coming along as well." This, if anything, caused the little girl's excitement to grow and she bobbed her head as she ran over to the door to grab her backpack. Her mother laughed.

"Alright, is everyone ready?" Max's mom appraised everyone's state and nodded with satisfaction, "let's get going then. Max, be a dear and help Iggy to the car, would you?" The brunette started toward the strawberry blonde but Ella quickly stepped in front of her.

"I'll do it, mom!" Max scrunched her face at the sugary tone of her sister's voice. She could only pray this wouldn't be a common thing. She didn't think she would be able to handle it. "Here, hold onto my arm." Ella latched her arm onto Iggy's and rather forcefully arranged him to do the same. "Okay, this way." Max hung back until the two had passed and followed out at a moderate pace.

Everyone piled into the car, Max in front and the younger three in the back. Angel, Max noticed with some amusement (and relief), sat between Ella and Iggy. Checking that everyone was properly buckled, Mom moved into reverse and they were off to school.