Soorin nearly threw the phone.
"NEVER!!"
"Oh, and Soorin-ah?"
"Yeah?"
"Use protection. Always. Your father and I got lucky—you were planned eventually—but trust me, babies complicate everything."
"We used protection! Multiple times!"
"Multiple times?" Her mom's grin returned. "Oh, so he has stamina. Good. That's important."
"I hate you right now."
"No, you don't. You love me."
"Debatable."
They laughed together. The tension easing.
"Is Appa around?" Soorin asked, changing the subject desperately.
"He's at work. Some emergency meeting. You know how he is."
"Yeah."
"But he sends his love. Tells me to tell you he's proud of you every day."
Soorin's chest tightened. She missed her dad. His quiet steadiness. The counterbalance to her mom's chaos.
"I miss you guys."
"We miss you too, Soorin-ah. So much." Her mom's expression turned gentle. "But I know you're busy. You have a showcase tonight, yes?"
"How did you—"
"I follow LUMEN's schedule. Obviously."
