"Not in an active stage, and potentially dangerous chemicals are clearly labeled, in the vernacular, and locked away. I trust you won't poison yourselves or my cats, though I would prefer you hold off on experimentation until I have been around to deliver the lab safety lecture, and avoid undoing any locks you aren't given a key to."

She nudges Mary. "You heard that, right?"

"No picking locks, no alchemizing my way around locks, if it's locked it's 'cause it might hurt the kitties if I opened it - I know what sensible rules are, El-El."

"Just establishing that for record."

"I'm not gonna hurt cats."

"It's good that you have cats," she says to Akira.

"They're good creatures. It's good you appreciate them."

"She likes cats 'cause she is a cat."

"I haven't met many talking cats."

"I'm a special magic cat!"

"Thankfully unique."

"'Cause El-El would be unhappy if she had to play favorites between two of me, 'cause we'd both be awesome."

"Riiight. That's why."

She sticks her tongue out at her sister, then notices she's close enough to lick her if she just leans over ever so slightly -

"Bllck!" She jerks away.

She laughs so hard she tumbles off the bed.

She wipes her cheek off with as much dignity as she can muster.

"I'll take my leave, how about," says Akira over Mary's laughter.

"I'll show you out." She stands up to lead Akira to the door.

"Thanks."

She follows, updating the sullen doctor about the situation on her way out.

"Good luck, Elizabeth," she says at the door. "It was a pleasure meeting you and your sister."

"A pleasure to meet you as well. Good luck with your investigations."

She nods. "I'll need it, I suspect."

And she leaves.

El goes back inside.

Time passes, as it does. Their mother grows sicker again, no matter what the doctor does to try to slow it down. Now, at least, her children are allowed in to see her. Neither of them gets sick.

It's sunny, the day their mother dies, and sunny the day of the funeral. It's been nearly a year since the strange alchemist came through.

El is dressed all in black, and she's feeling a bit warm.

Better than rain, though.