After walking for a while longer, Femi finally reached her house without any more trouble.
It was a normal, modest home tucked into a quiet neighborhood. The houses around it were similar in size, built close enough that voices could sometimes be heard through open windows, but far enough to keep a sense of privacy. The stone walls were clean, though worn by time and a small wooden fence marked the edge of her property.
She stopped in front of the door and glanced around once then she crouched slightly and slid her hand beneath the edge of the carpet laid in front of the entrance. Her fingers brushed against cold metal. She pulled out a small key, straightened up and unlocked the door with a soft click.
As she stepped inside, she raised her free hand and drew a small circle in the air near the doorway. Mana flowed from her palm, steady and controlled. The moment she released it, lanterns placed around the house flickered to life one by one filling the interior with a warm, gentle glow.
Gojo whistled softly. "Woah, what is this technology? It's cool."
Femi closed the door behind her. "It's normal," she said.
"Some houses use magic tools that draw mana from the surroundings to light the place. Rich people usually have better ones."
"Still cool," Gojo replied. "Back where I'm from, you have to pay to keep the lights on."
She glanced back at him. "That sounds greedy."
"...Yeah," he admitted after a moment. "Kind of is."
Gojo floated slightly higher taking a better look around.
The room wasn't large, but it was tidy. A simple wooden table stood near the center, with two chairs pushed neatly underneath. Shelves lined one wall, holding plates, cooking tools, and a few books stacked carefully. A small couch sat near the far end with a folded blanket resting on one arm. Everything looked used but cared for.
"Ohhh," Gojo said. "This place looks pretty good."
Femi walked over and gently placed Gojo down on the table. Then she set Aara into one of the chairs making sure he was stable and placed the slime beside him.
"Don't let him fall, okay?" she said.
The slime bounced once in response. Aara reached out immediately poking at it with interest. The slime wobbled happily, shifting shape as the baby laughed softly.
Gojo floated up again. "So, what are you about to do?"
Femi rolled her shoulders slightly. "I'm hungry. I'm going to cook something."
"You can cook too, huh?" Gojo said with a grin in his voice. "Perfect wife material?"
She shot him a flat look. "Shut up."
He laughed. "Sorry."
She moved toward the small kitchen area at the side of the room. Setting Aara within sight, she washed her hands then began pulling out simple ingredients, vegetables, dried meat, and a small pouch of spices she chopped slowly.
'Food first.' she thought.
A pot was set over a low flame. She stirred quietly, steam rising as the scent of cooked vegetables filled the room. From time to time, she glanced back to check on Aara, who was still occupied with the slime and adjusted the heat with a small flick of mana.
Gojo watched from the table, spinning lazily. "You do this every day?"
"Pretty much," she replied.
The pot bubbled softly as she finished.
Femi pulled a chair closer to the table and sat down finally letting her shoulders relax. She picked up the bowl and started eating slowly, the warmth of the food settling into her body.
Gojo floated around her lazily. "That actually looks really good."
"It is," she replied between bites. Then she glanced at him. "Too bad a sword can't eat."
He let out an exaggerated sigh, his voice suddenly heavy with fake sadness.
"Oh, you'd be surprised! We prefer a light diet. Mostly cold cuts."
She snorted at first, then choked, coughing as the food went down the wrong way.
"Hey, hey, chill!" Gojo said quickly.
Femi grabbed the cup beside her, took a few quick sips, and finally caught her breath. She shot him a sharp look.
"Don't say stupid things while I'm eating."
He laughed. "Imagine dying from food."
After a short pause, Gojo hovered closer. "Hey… about those thugs earlier. Isn't it dangerous to just leave them like that?"
She continued eating calmly. "They won't be going anywhere. The night guards should be making their rounds soon. And even if they aren't caught right away none of them will be able to move properly until morning."
"Ohhh," Gojo said, impressed. "That makes sense."
Once she finished, Femi stood and waved her hand lightly. Wind lifted the dishes from the table carrying them neatly to the corner.
"Now then…" she said.
She walked over and picked up Aara gently, holding him close. Then she turned and looked at Gojo with sharp eyes.
"What…?" he asked, confused.
She sat back down on the chair and turned slightly, showing him her back.
"Don't come around here."
Before he could ask again, she pulled Aara closer to her chest, lifting her shirt just enough to settle him comfortably. A faint blush appeared on her cheeks. The slime watched quietly its body turning a soft shade as well.
Gojo froze for a second. Then, awkwardly, "You… breastfeed him?"
She lowered her voice. "Can't I…?"
"No...just asking," he replied quickly.
After a while, she stood again. Aara was already asleep, his breathing slow and even. She looked down at him with a soft smile.
"Let's go up."
She snapped her fingers and one by one, the lanterns went out. The house fell into quiet darkness as she walked upstairs.
The second floor was simple. Her bedroom held a single bed, a small table, and a wooden chest by the wall. Nothing fancy, but clean and cozy.
She pulled the curtains aside slightly, letting moonlight spill into the room. Then she carefully laid Aara on the bed placing the slime beside him. It barely moved before settling down as well.
Femi sat on the edge of the bed and looked out the window.
"Hmm, looking at the view?" Gojo asked.
She nodded. "Yes… the moon is pretty."
"Back in my world humans were able to reach the moon." Gojo said with a proud voice.
Femi looked at him with a little surprised expression not believing it.
Then she replied. "Maybe it's true if they even charged money for lights."
"Uh...." Gojo didn't replied.
After that silence filled the room.
Then after a moment Gojo spoke, his voice quieter and little hesitant.
"The moon is beautiful, isn't it?"
She looked at him and gave a small smile. "Yeah… it is."
Gojo slowly dropped to the floor and let out a long breath, the room calm once more.