He nodded and gave a quick wave before heading out. After a moment, a flurry of swears sounded from the other room.
Callie was sitting on the floor playing a game, a book balancing on her head. Her back was to Val as she spoke into the microphone. "Ha! I told you I could do it!"
Callie shrieked, the book falling off her head as she turned to Val. She took quick breaths. "What.. Me?! Wha- Jesus! You scared the crap out of me."
Val raised one eyebrow, the only sign that she was startled by Callie's behavior. "What are you doing?"
Val squinted at her, her arms crossed for a moment. "Fine." She came around and sat next to Callie, looking at her expectantly.
Callie handed her a remote, her lips pursed. "So.. Press that button," she said, cocking her head. "It'll show you the controls."
She shot her a look of fierce defiance, her eyes glinting from the challenge. "I'm not scared. Let's go to the test round."
She set her jaw instinctively but paused before changing tactics, giving Callie a sweet smile. "Oh, thank you. I'm feeling a little nervous about it."
