Days like these

No matter how aloof she pretended to be, Iho was more dear to her than he could ever know. When her world was rocky and uncertain, he was there, picking up the pieces. He had proven it time and time again. Now, with her father abandoning his family, he stood by her steadfast and reliable. And cheeky as ever, tongue sticking from his maw. She reached over and swatted it, but it was gone before her paw could land.

As he recalled her full title with ease, she felt a smile twitching at the corners of her mouth. Okay, so maybe she had used it enough time that it slid off Iho’s tongue without a single hitch.

When he tapped the tea, she grabbed their favourite mugs and settled them down beside it for him to pour. “it sounds wonderful, Iho. I can’t wait to see it in action!” It almost made her regretful that its first excursion out to sea would be for this. But perhaps after she had done what she intended to, her and Iho could go for a little adventure around Auster before coming home.

“Haven’t I?” she asked, eyes widening in an expression of surprise at his question. “Are you going to tap the tea all day or pour it?”

"Kitsune"