Jorge lit up with his own bright smile. “Great to see you, too, buddy. How are you doing?”

Joseph gave his brother a half hug and then patted him on the back. “I’ve been doing well. How are you?”

Jorge held his brother at arm’s length and examined his face. He nodded in approval. “I’ve been doing well, too. I was hired as an additional guard for the grounds while you work for the city.” 

“Really?” Joseph responded, shocked. Most of the Guard did not commit themselves to protecting House Grounds unless they were getting older and slower, or had made a big mistake on the job. 

Jorge clapped him on the back again. “Close that jaw, you’re catching flies with that expression. And yes--my masters thought it prudent. I made one too many mistakes while working. Bet you never thought you’d see me reduced to this shameful occupation, huh?”

Joseph was stunned about it. Jorge was just three years older than him--he was a model that was still designed to have emotions and feelings--and he was one of the best and brilliant fighters he had known while he was growing up in the Designer Nursery. To see him reduced to a job that was far beneath him made Joseph’s face crease with worry.  “I am surprised. What happened that you must only be stationed as a House Guard?”

Jorge sighed. “It was my own damned fault…” he began, looking down at his feet ashamedly. “I was working very hard. You see, at my old House, they had a system in place. In this system, if you brought in the most criminals every month, you would get a whole week off along with a prize of an exotic type of beer. I pushed myself to the limit each day. I woke up at six, I stayed out until eight, and I only went to bed at twelve. I was so tired that I began falling asleep and getting drowsy on the job. The good news is, I had three months or so of one whole week off and exotic booze… just a taste was worth being sent here. And hey, at least now I get to sleep and wake up at a decent hour.” Jorge shrugged. 

“But you didn’t even have to get up early and go to sleep late in the first place.” Joseph said confusedly. “You know that we learned in the Nursery how important a good night’s sleep is for functioning, and yet you messed up your sleeping pattern anyway? For booze and time off?”

Jorge laughed wholeheartedly and then ruffled his brother’s hair. “You see, Joseph, even though they would like us to just be mindless tools, I am still human. And I do stupid, human things, like trying to apprehend criminals on five hours of sleep just to get a taste of sweet, Erulanite beer.”

“But you didn’t even have to compete in this House competition…” Joseph protested, not understanding why his brother would do something so foolish.

Jorge shrugged. “I was bored and had nothing else to do. I’ll miss it, though, I admit…”

Joseph was still astounded that Jorge had lost his higher position over something so silly, but he nonetheless cleared his throat and shook away his astonishment, as he thought it was unbecoming to him. “Well, it’s great to see you again. You taught me so many good tricks and tips back at the Nursery.”

Jorge chuckled. “If you say so. You were always the one who was by-the-books to a fault and memorized everything the Erulanite Captains taught us. Poor Mouse always felt like he had to catch up to you, poor guy. How is Mouse anyway?”

Joseph shrugged. “I don’t know. We were separated once we were old enough to graduate and doled out to our Houses.”

“They separated you?” Jorge’s voice became very quiet and his face lit up with shock. “You two were so close… that’s really too bad.”

Joseph cocked his head to the side. “Mouse might have weighed me down. It’s good that they separated us.” 

Jorge rubbed the back of his head as he looked at his brother incredulously. Joseph decided he didn’t like the way his brother was looking at him, and so he decided it was best to end the interaction quickly. “Well, believe it or not, I think you will get your chance to hit the streets again soon enough. The Daughter of the House is making me take a week off after today. I assume they plan to give you a chance to be loaned out to the city again.” 

Jorge looked giddy with excitement. “Really? Wow… it’s been awhile since I’ve worked for the city. And it’ll be good for you to take a break, too.”

Joseph narrowed his eyes at the last part of Jorge’s sentence. “I guess.” he grumbled.

At his petulant tone, Jorge looked stunned--he blinked several times in shock--and then he laughed uproariously. “I never thought I would see you be sassy within my lifetime. Don’t worry, Joey, a little R&R will be good for you.” Jorge insisted, using Joseph’s old pet name.

Joseph shrugged. “If you say so.” this only caused Jorge to laugh harder, and Joseph shook his head and went on his way after that.