Then, someone knocked loudly; it almost startled both of them. Sylvia left the kitchen and went to answer the front door. A casually dressed woman with long purple hair and emerald green eyes greeted her.

Sylvia recognized the teenage woman and was not happy to see her, “Andrea, why are you knocking on the door like you are the police?”

“Force of habit,” Andrea blew off.

Her full name is Andrea Mercy and is a family friend of the family. Like Mordechai, she too was a kid genius, but her expertise was in psychology and mathematics. She is usually overconfident and a bit of an annoying comedian.

Sylvia scowled, “Go home, Andrea... You smell like marijuana cigarettes!”

“What, can I see my best friend in the whole wide world?” Andrea hammed.

“No.” Sylvia declared as she shut the door in her face.

Walking away, Mordechai walked past Sylvia and opened the door himself, “Sorry, Andrea...”

"Morrie! Nice to see you, buddy!" Andrea greeted while hugging Mordechai.

Sylvia felt jealous of the infection Andrea gave him, “isn’t that appropriate?”

"Oh, please! How many times have you hugged him before leaving today?" Andrea questioned.

Indeed, Sylvia hugged him at least twice, embarrassingly enough...

"And yes, I was at the presentation, and you were awesome!" Andrea praises. "Too bad the family wasn't there..."

Mordechai shrugs, "It's usually boring. Capstone projects are more like tech demo hunting for shareholders."

Still, Andrea felt slightly saddened by Mordechai being all alone, "well, I'm glad you're taking it well. Speaking of which, your mom has been released from jail."

Mordechai's eyes lit up with happiness, "that's great news! What happened?!"

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“The District Attorney’s Office folded like a lawn chair when one of their whistleblowers got caught trying to dick down a child off the Internet!” Andrea informed as she busted out laughing.

Mordechai couldn't help but grin. However, it was a devious grin since his plan worked, and he got what he wanted.

"DISGUSTING! AND IT'S NOT FUNNY!" Sylvia admonishes.

“Yes, it is!” Andrea continued to laugh.

“Okay, if you are going to be vulgar and poison his mind, leave...” Sylvia said while shoving Andrea out the door.

But Andrea stood, "I have more to say, Mrs. Shove-n-stuff! I just got a call from Chloe."

“Who is Chloe, one of your little love buddies?!” Sylvia asks.

"No, the other Chloe. Not the one I am banging. Chloe Leone, my old classmate from New York!" Andrea clarified.

Sylvia sneered at the thought, “The woman who looks like a fat ass version of Wednesday Adams?”

"Now that is mean! Yes, she has a condition about her weight, and I heard she is handling it!" Andrea defends.

“Yeah, your fat sidekick... Every lesbian needs one...” Sylvia insults with a blank expression.

Rolling her eyes hard, Andrea pays attention to Mordechai, "Her family is holding some dinner next month on the 20th, and we are invited. RSVP. She told me to bring somebody along!"

It took Mordechai a few seconds to piece it together; it wasn’t hard since Chloe’s family is Catholic, “they are holding a feast for Margaret of Antioch.”

“Who the hell is that?” Sylvia questioned.

“Margaret resided in Antioch in Pisidia in the third century, where she is believed to be the daughter of a pagan priest. After the death of her mother, Margaret was raised by a nurse who was a Christian. Margaret grew to become a devout Christian.

“Olybrius, the local prefect, was enamored with Margaret and wanted her as a wife or concubine. Margaret refused, as she was chaste to God. Olybrius imprisoned her and tortured her cruelly. Margaret was eventually beheaded after being swallowed by a dragon and enduring several other legendary torments. Margaret is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, and she spoke to St. Joan of Arc.” Mordechai answered.

“Really, and what’s so special about her...” Sylvia questioned while crossing her arms.

Like many dark elves, Sylvia is an ‘atheist’ by nature and only believes in the spirits of nature. Mordechai and Andrea were not offended since many diaras are considered atheists like them, rejecting every form of man-made religion. Still, they need to read and study their religions to grasp human understanding.

“I heard she did a lot of work helping with childbirth and helping pregnant women,” Andrea waffles.

“Okay, he deserved to be a saint because delivered a few babies... Whatever...” Sylvia blew off as she walked away.

"So, it's on July 20th. What time do you want me to pick you up?" Andrea asks.

"I'll be there! Let's go at noon." Mordechai reserved. "Let's eat some ice cream. There is pistachio and mango swirl ice cream. They're pretty good!" He offered with a smile.

Andrea almost cringed with an uncomfortable smile, “is there any vanilla?”

“If Sylvia hasn’t eaten it all, yes...” Mordechai sub offered as they went to the kitchen.