"As much as it pains me to use such a primitive argument... I'm older than you and know better. Nobody else will skate, especially not if they're novices, while you two are careening around."

"There was no careening."

"We weren't going to hit anyone. And you're not that much older than me."

"I have to go back to utilities. Don't make me fetch your mother."

...Nick disappears back to his skates-booth.

Tabby follows. "Stupid grownups," she mutters.

"We can try it again later."

"He was right you know!" calls out Danny.

"Suck-up!"

On Terence's way back to utilities, he's approached by a vampiress who looks and smells very, very similar to Winona. "Terence Johnson I take it?"

"The elusive Agatha, mother of a certain technologically-inclined individual, I take it." Small sigh. "I may have to run off suddenly, just letting you know. Electricity can be dangerous stuff."

"That I am. And that's fine. I saw how you handled my niece and her friend on the ice. Quite admirable."

"Sanity and a shred of responsibility is admirable nowadays?"

"We live in a world populated by children. My niece is among the oldest people left on the planet. Damn straight it is."

He sighs slightly. "I suppose. I miss the days when I could call Dell with a list of part numbers and have a box on my doorstep the next morning, I'll tell you that."

"But at least you can corral Tabitha. And you've really helped by son come out of his shell."

"A lot of these small vampires are rather brilliant in their own ways."

She fails to suppress a smile. "The one my niece turned amuses me. It's like a little boy playing shopkeeper. Well, it's exactly that."

"I've heard of that. Never dealt with him directly so far - our interests don't quite connect."

"I was a little surprised Tabby got so attached."

Shrug. "He's a bit of a sneak. Just a bit, and in a way I haven't found necessary to correct."

"You know, I was dubious at first about how much time Danny was spending around humans."

Terence has walked back to a row of dials and readouts by now. "Why? Also is the - nevermind." He darts to another machine and checks something.

"They're all so....breakable. I worry they'll break his heart someday."

Sigh. "Children need friends. And unbreakable immortal vampires are kind of a small pool of friends. When they get older, perhaps moving him to a new city will help. Like changing schools."