This week with Arlene and Jeff:
...They were partially facing the group as they conversed. "Jeff, I know that Selina has talked to her brother and sister, but I think…"
"Yeah, I'm with you, but I don't want to hurt our little genius' feelings. The obvious implication would be that I thought I could find out things she couldn't because she's a child, and that just isn't true."
Selina was over near the big window, practically surrounded by the women. When Jeff had called his Clan Queen, Selina's curiosity had piqued. There was too much noise in the big room in addition to the distance between them for Selina to hear what Jeff and Diana were saying. Consequently, the child in Selina "couldn't help" reading their lips, at least enough to get the gist of their conversation.
After excusing herself, she hurried across the room. "My Prime and my Queen, might I insert my thoughts into your interaction concerning the question at hand?"
"Certainly," Jeff responded.
"I would be grateful if you, My Prime, would converse with my brother and sister for any light they might shed on the possible location of my parents. I think my brother and sister informed me of everything they knew about the situation, but because of our relationship, they might have assumed I knew something that I do not."
Jeff glanced toward the group of conversing women. If he concentrated, he could make out most of the conversation going on there, but even with his hearing, he had to strain to accomplish it with all the other conversations and the TV competing. Selina was super intelligent, but he knew she shouldn't be able to hear their conversation that far away, especially with all the noise going on at the moment. That resulted in only one possibility.
His focus left the other end of the room and centered on the child genius looking up at him, but before he could voice his train of thought, Selina spoke.
"Your assumption is correct. I am not efficient with it, but with people I know, I can usually get the gist of a conversation by reading lips and the expressions that accompany speech. Please forgive me. It isn't something that - once learned - can be turned on or off. My infamous curiosity sometimes leads me to places I do not expect to go." Turning to face Diana fully, "I was curious when My Prime motioned to you, and I eventually invaded the privacy of the both of you. I apologize."...
Have a goodun;
Roust