Family Frenemies XI

Previously: Aisha and her cat family settled into their new home in Brindleton Bay and were soon joined by two new members: an adorably rugged orange stray named Yogi and Aisha's fiance, Shawn.



Nadia is still a chess fiend, but she got a new look since we last saw her, and I must say it's pretty darn adorable!


Whenever she's not at school, you can pretty much always find her at the chess table, usually roping her dad into playing against her even though he has no idea what he's doing. Who knows where she got her mad skills from.


It's pretty sad when a grown man has to resort to actual cheating to stand a chance against a child.


Nadia: Wow, Dad, you really tried it, didn't you? Too bad you still lost!


Elliot: Foiled by my own daughter again! How can I even call myself a man?!?


Elliot: Now get to bed, young lady, before your mom realizes I let you stay out past curfew!


Madeline is trying really hard to be a good mom and put her foot down when Nadia gets cheeky, but, as you can see, she's having a hard time being taken seriously.

Nadia: Can't you see I'm doing my homework, Mom? I don't know what you're so mad about, but do you really want to keep me from my studies?


Madeline: You will come to the art museum with me, and you will sit quietly without complaining, and you will not step out of my sight, got it?
Nadia: Yeah, fat chance of that happening!


Sure enough, she's soon wandering off and making friends with this little girl (we'll call her Chandra, that sounds right), who I just know is trouble. Look at that flip-flops and mismatched socks combination! No respectable young lady would even dare!


Her adventures take an interesting turn when she happens upon this statue of a naked lady torso tucked away in an upstairs room and is riveted on the spot.


I don't even want to know what sort of obscene creation she's going to mold from that clay... Madeline, come get your daughter before she's fully corrupted by these plaster breasts!


Ah, yes, a much more wholesome activity that I fully approve of!


Finally, Madeline gets the message and takes Nadia someplace more suitable for children: the park.


Nadia: Disappointing there aren't any bare boobs here, but I guess I'll take it!


Meanwhile, Madeline continues to appreciate the local art, presumably to write a column about it later or something. I don't know how this art critic job works.


She's then inspired by the gorgeous sunset to create some art of her own.


Madeline: Ah, yes, I can see the headline now: Street Violinist Adds Lively Local Color to City Scene. Wait a minute... Didn't I hire you as a nanny a couple years ago?!?

Indeed, it appears as though old Jaouad has finally found his true calling. Honestly, good for him!


While Madeline and Nadia enjoyed their day out, Elliot was working hard to obtain a promotion. It seems weird to me to treat being an artist like a regular nine to five job, but... *shrug* I didn't make this game.


The entire family spends Saturday morning working together to complete Nadia's first big school project.


Oh, wow, that turned out pretty impressively! Maybe we've found another outlet for Nadia's abundant energy: science!


I'm not sure how safe it is to let her play with chemicals unsupervised, but the budding mad genius in her loves it already!


Wow, I didn't know there was a secret alien handshake. You learn something new every day.


Anyway, turns out Madeline's brother, Jason, lives all alone in this massive house on the edge of the sea. I guess he inherited it when everyone else in the family passed away or something. At any rate, the view is marvelous!


Jason: Hello there! You must be Nadia!
Nadia: What is it to you, weirdo?!?
Jason: I'm your uncle! Can't you see the family resemblance?


Jason: Wait, don't run away!
Nadia: STRANGER DANGER! STRANGER DANGER!
Jason: No, listen, I just wanted to-
Nadia: SOMEONE CALL THE COPS ON THIS CREEP BEFORE HE THROWS ME IN THE BACK OF A VAN!


How dare this school try to stifle Nadia's scientific curiosity! She just wants to learn!


She invented a hunger-suppressing drink in her pajamas. God bless her, she's a true wunderkind.


Ghost Phoebe invited the entire family to GeekCon because apparently that's something she's into now? I don't know, it doesn't jive with the Phoebe I know, but maybe death has changed her.


Nadia: Hahaha, look at all these freaks in weird costumes! How embarrassing for them!


Madeline and Elliot decided to take their chances at rocket ship woohoo despite having not a shred of space travel experience between them because, I mean, what else are you supposed to do at GeekCon? Sit around playing video games? I think not!


Aisha: Ugh, disgusting! Stop subjecting us to your nauseating sexual advances and get a room, you two!

They're kind of getting an entire galaxy, so I don't see what the problem is.


Oh, Nadia, please, shield your eyes! You don't need to know what's happening aboard that ship!


Nadia: Maybe if I'm quick, I can get a better look from in here!

This girl never had a chance at a normal childhood, did she?


What have we learned from all this? Apparently, woohooing in space leaves you very dirty but very satisfied.


Also, Madeline made it back just in time to go to work and get a promotion, what a star!


Meanwhile, everyone else is actually having a hell of a time at GeekCon.


I guess Phoebe's been using all her free time to build up her gaming skills.


Wow, this guy with the buns is really killing it with his cosplay look right now. Well done!


Nadia somehow convinced her parents to get her a blow-up kiddie pool for the most sweltering summer days.


It's not quite as thrilling to watch from a visual perspective as I thought it would be, but at least she's having fun.


Even though she knows she can beat him without cheating, Nadia has taken up some of her dad's tricks to see how much she can actually get away with before he notices anything amiss. The answer: a lot.


Also, she's made another new chess friend. And guess what? I actually remember her name this time! It's Tayler. (Yes, with an "e." Don't ask me. I didn't name her.)


Tayler is actually pretty adorable, so maybe we'll forgive her oddly-spelled name and hang out with her again sometime.


Madeline: Ten minutes past curfew and not a daughter in sight...
Nadia: Take a chill pill, Mom! I'm coming!


Madeline: Hmm, somehow I seem to be the only one who can read this board. It pretty clearly says eight o'clock, but I guess some people in this house don't know how to tell time. Interesting, isn't it?
Nadia: Yeah, Mom, totally thrilling... I'm going upstairs to mix some dangerous chemicals. If you hear any explosions, don't worry, I'm fine!