"So, how's school going?"

"Good, sir," I mumbled behind a mouthful of mashed potatoes.

"Jesse's doing well in his classes," Sedah spoke up. "He's on the honor's track for next year."

"Oh, that's nice," said Sedah's mother. "More potatoes dear?"

They tasted like wet sandpaper and dirt. I tried to smile.

"No thanks, I'm pretty full."

"Really?" her dad chimed in. "You've barely touched your corn."

The corn oozed and bubbled slightly. My smile became a bit more strained.

"What can I say? I'm a bit nervous."

"No reason to be nervous," said Sedah's mother. "It's nice to finally get to meet you. Sedah's been so secretive about you!"

"Moth-errrr..." Sedah groaned.

"Now, now, don't tease them, dear," came her father's deep, rumbling voice. "Jesse seems like a nice enough boy. Play any sports?"

"N-no sir," I said.

"Well, what do you do for exercise? Fitness is very important in this family."

"Oh my god, dad..." Sedah looked mortified.

"Um, I run and do some VR training. Most of my extra-carriculars are in art and sciences."

"Ah, a science wiz!" he boomed. "What kind of projects are you working on?"

"N-nothing special. A rain recycler, right now. Trying to help out with the water shortage."

"Well, good for you," said Sedah's mom from the kitchen. "If everyone's finished, I've got dessert ready. Jesse, would you mind giving me a hand?"

I went into the kitchen and she presented me with four bowl of... ice cream? I think? Except mine was blinking at me.

"I... um, I don't..."

"Is everything all right, dear?"

"Yes, sure, I'll just get these out to the table."

I sat in silence, staring at my bowl. It stared back at me.

"So..." said her father. "Let's get the awkward question out in the open."

Sedah stood up.

"Dad, no. Enough. Jesse's a nice boy, he's nice to me, and we're dating. Your little girl is smooching a boy and you both need to deal with it. Jesse, will you be nice to me?"

"Of course I will."

"There. Done. Bye."

Sedah grabbed my hand and pulled me away from the table into the other room where we sat down on the couch.

I could hear her parents talking in the other room.

"Well, he didn't run screaming."

"And he was telling the truth."

"Looks like Sedah picked a good one, then."

She put her head on my chest.

"Sorry about them," she said. "After they retired from hero-ing they both can get a little playful with their powers."

"Powers?"

"Yeah," she said, sitting up. "You didn't know Mom and Dad used to be part of the Vigil?"

I was stunned.

"I had no idea," I said. "What are their powers?"

"Dad's an illusionist, makes people see, hear, experience things sometimes."

"Son of a -"

"What?"

"Nothing. What's your mom do?"

"Human lie-detector."