“...hopefully not.” The concept of their aunts intercepting them on the way from the train station, however unlikely, is enough to get a little more speed out of Benjiro, eliminating the drag of his shoes at the very least. He will not be surprised to see Aunt Agatha waiting by the door already when they arrive, but that simply lends to expediting the transition into privacy.

Unlike his cousin, Benjiro has come with little preparation. He has his phone, enough for the train, and the key to the house weighing far heavier in his pocket than the small item should. Both of them are starting to have greater difficulty hiding their physical changes, what with Benjiro now the taller between them and far greater in mass, and Russell making use of makeup to soften the loss.

The quiet along the walk gives Benjiro time to think about how to discuss the Numbers, however, the moment they reach the end of the short drive that leads up to the house, his mind goes blank. He stops in his tracks, still far enough from the house to retreat. Or rather, it was, as he spots the silhouette of Aunt Agatha pacing by the door. Benjiro looks to Russell nervously, but will follow him further up to the door.

Before either of them can knock or ring, the door opens, and Aunt Agatha is the one holding it. She looks far less put together than usual, her hair down in a side ponytail instead of up and tamed, “There you are. I was beginning to worry. Come in, and we’ll go sit with some tea and sort all this out.”