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<span class="mu-s">“I'm thirteen. The only bill I pay is my phone bill.”</span> you countered. <span class="mu-s">“And don't act like you've been paying bills this entire time.”</span>
<span class="mu-s">“One of the very few benefits of banishment. I'd like to see tax collectors make it all the way out there.”</span> she said with a huff that was simultaneously triumphant and bitter.
You opened your mouth to reply, but a high pitched whistle from the kettle cut you off.
<span class="mu-s">“Ah? See? Fast, right?”</span>
She had perked up again so fast. You expected her to feel a certain type of way about the whole banishment thing. Either she was hiding it really well, or she really wasn't that mad.
<span class="mu-s">“Yeah, that was actually kinda cool.”</span> you admitted.
<span class="mu-s">“I think it's the other way around.”</span> she said with a wink.
You shook your head, glanced about the room again, and reached for the kettle. Mercy turned the bindings enveloping your hand into an oven mitt before you could grab it. When you picked it up, you tried to inspect the talismans, but the language she used must be one of magical origin, because it hurt your head to stare at it.
<span class="mu-s">“Exercise caution with this one, my daughter.”</span> Khonshu warned, his words creeping into your bones like a reassuring chill.
You poured the hot water inside both cups, brought out the sugar, and spooned several lumps into your own. Ami Han, on the other hand, was shoveling sugar into hers. She froze when she caught you staring, a trail of sugar spilling onto the table as she held her spoon at an awkward angle.
<span class="mu-s">“What? You think they have sugar where monsters get banished to?”</span>
<span class="mu-s">“I hope they at least have dentists.”</span> you murmured, stirring the minimal amount of sugar you'd poured into your own cup.
<span class="mu-s">“Ooh, the cheek on this one! By way of hospitality, it was offered to me, fair and square.”</span>
Ami Han said all this while waving a silver spoon in your face.
<span class="mu-s">“And I'll have you know,”</span> she went on. <span class="mu-s">“My teeth are in immaculate condition. See?”</span>
She flashed her pearly white fangs at you.
<span class="mu-s">“Illusioned to <span class="mu-i">look</span> immaculate, maybe.”</span> you answered snidely.
Ami Han snapped her jaws shut and leaned forward, her pride seemingly undamaged. How was it that you were having such a normal conversation with someone who had ruined your life?
You brought your cup up to your lips, blew on it a few times, and took a sip.
Before IMMEDIATELY spitting it out! Why did it taste so…sugary! You'd only put in a small-
Your thoughts paused, and you turned to glare at Ami Han. She had a hand covering one mouth and her eyes narrowed mischievously.
<span class="mu-s">“Oh, Cindy. I know you're young, but you really should cut back on the sugar~.”</span>
<span class="mu-s">“You'd better have a talisman for curing diabetes up those sleeves of yours.”</span>
Ami Han let out a hearty laugh and wiped a tear from her eye.
<span class="mu-s">“A Moon with a sense of humor? I really have seen everything.”</span>
