Chéri looked somewhat amused when Francis spoke to Father Brennan, even though he couldn’t actually understand. Their reaction was probably based on gut feeling.

And just like that, Father Richards left. Chéri turned to Francis. They couldn’t communicate directly, not per words, but an impressed look required no translation. It said You are fast. And even though they didn’t understand Francis joke in their hear, when he made it, Chéri laughed. They always knew when to laugh at a man’s joke. Was that a defiant look on their face when Malachi reprimanded Francis? Apparently Chéri also always knew when someone was being reprimanded.

“Yes, Father” they obediently replied when Malachi gave them an indication, their tone absolutely flat while their face stayed amused, even a little too much. “I’ll leave right after I am done.” They promised: somehow, they got the feeling they had contributed to distrupt the harmony. What little of it was left anyway.