"Right. Replace it with more effective charities, ideally ones serving the same general area and population so individual people aren't resentful about having the rug pulled out from under them."

"Right!" he agrees. "And then we can shoo the church to be misogynistic in a corner somewhere. Perhaps with the goblins."

"They can think kind incomprehensibly theological thoughts and possibly take up sock-stealing."

"It will be a bonding experience. Poor corner goblins."

"My parents are both sort of passively religious, but in different ways, and not with enough fervor for any of it to get on me."

"Parental influence wasn't really a huge factor in my childhood."

"I guess we learned how to duck when mom started throwing things."

...Iobel winces.

"That doesn't count."

"You're not denying it!"

"Should I just avoid bringing up parenting in full generality around you two?"

"No, it's fine," says Edarial.

"I dunno, it's kinda nice hearing about people that had non-shitty childhoods. Least other people were happy."

He closes his eyes and nods. "Yes," he says, awkwardly.

"We should probably have a conversation about that at some point. It doesn't have to be today, and it probably shouldn't involve your brother."

"Awww, but I could make illustrative hand gestures!"

"... Agreed. Zevros wouldn't help. Even with illustrative hand gestures."

"Especially with illustrative hand gestures."

"Yes. It would be mortifying."

"Aww. What about illustrative pelvic -"

"Please stop talking."

"Today or some other day with more time pressure, Edarial?" sighs Iobel.

"... Today is fine," mutters Edarial, not looking particularly happy about the topic.

"Okay. Where's a good place to talk?" Iobel asks, picking up Cricket and tucking him under her chin in a sort of nervous gesture.