She swore she was just trying to help.

Vi had seen the weird little ceramic dish on the edge of the shelf—probably something expensive, definitely something important and thought. "Yeah, this probably shouldn’t be here."

She reached for it. Just to move it. Just to be helpful.

And then, in perfect Vi fashion, her elbow bumped the shelf, the dish slipped, and time slowed for exactly 0.4 seconds before it shattered into a dramatic, glittering mess all over the floor.

Vi froze.

Staring down at the shards like they were going to reassemble themselves if she concentrated hard enough.

Then she glanced up.

Vi: “Okay, so good news.” she called toward the other room, trying to sound casual. “That super delicate, heirloom-y looking thing you love? It doesn’t have to be on the shelf anymore!”

Silence. That tense, suspicious silence that said her girlfriend definitely heard that and was probably deciding between laughing or strangling her.

Vi crouched down to sweep up the pieces with her bare hands (a terrible idea), only to prick her finger almost immediately.