---
"Fine. Bat Bat will be good."
Elena's mouth twitched faintly. Then she turned and carried Bat Bat out.
Bat Bat kicked the air. Tiny feet flailing.
"Unfair," she complained.
The door closed again.
Sekhmet returned to his ledger. He forced his mind to focus on the business.
But even that was difficult when Bat Bat's chaos echoed through the house like a small war.
For the next hour, the lesson continued.
Elena taught Bat Bat greetings. She taught Bat Bat not to interrupt. She taught Bat Bat the difference between "enemy" and "servant."
Bat Bat argued about all of it.
Bat Bat attempted to escape six times.
Elena caught her six times.
Bat Bat attempted to hide in a flower vase.
Elena pulled her out.
Bat Bat attempted to pretend she was a decoration.
Elena did not believe her.
Bat Bat attempted to bribe Elena with compliments.
Elena ignored it.
Bat Bat attempted to bribe Elena with the promise of "sharing meat snacks."
Elena reminded her she had no snack authority.
