Conversation began to flow, soft and easy. Sylene thanked Isenka first, then Mavis, his tone sincere.
Mavis grinned, eyes sparkling. "Wow. I didn't know my little brother was so good at tugging his master's sleeve." He leaned back dramatically. "And that face rub—must've felt really comfortable, huh?"
Sylene blinked, then muttered, "…I learned it from you."
Mavis spluttered. "What? No way! I don't act like that with Zirron!"
Isenka, unbothered, calmly poured tea. He took a sip before speaking, voice matter-of-fact.
"No. You do."
He glanced up over the rim of his cup. "You've done it plenty of times with the current Alistair family head. Enough times that you don't even notice anymore."
Mavis groaned, collapsing forward. "Nooo—! I really don't! Zirron would be way too happy if I did that!"
"That explains the extra smile he's been wearing lately, then," Sylene said lightly.
