-"Now, would the Mistress please stop being so damn lazy and wake up?"

The morning sun hit Rin like a vampire, forcing her to flee. She retreated into a cocoon of blankets, spouting muffled curses to all things shiny.

I eyed Leysritt and a short laugh sneaked past. Since that accursed pot of sunscreen, she had gained a sharp tongue, and she wasn't afraid to use it. It pleased me to see her standing for herself instead of a lifeless drone.
-"Leysritt, could you be a dear and prepare the luggage?"

She eyed me, her bearing stoic and rigid.
-"Do I have to pack the Mistress with the blankets?"

I eyed the wormlike formation, where a wild mane of hair popped up.
-"It's 6 in the Zelretch-damned morning!"
Then she retreated again into her cocoon, like a giant Rin-amole.

-"Start with the other clothes, please."
I was about to close the door when Bad Shiriou rubbed his hands and whispered some evil thoughts.
"If by the time we have to leave for the airport she still hasn't metamorphosised, you have my approval to pack her in."

-"TRAITOORRR!"

In the same fashion that the Sirens called to the Argonauts, the glorious scent of hot cocoa beckoned me. I found Sella poring frosting over tiny cakes. My finger itched to swipe some of it.

Her smile was carefree, without any second motive, taking the role of a younger sister to Leysritt. Where EgoLeysritt would tell your faults to your face, and damned if you couldn't take it, Sella was far kinder.
-"Good morning! Please wait for the Mistress before trying the cakes, please? She gets upset when you start alone."

With my mouth watering from the spectacle of assorted delicacies, I cheated. Taking a jar with coffee, I concentrated and projected some of the examples Rin gave me. This was Air + Movement + ...stuff. It worked, I didn't bother with the specifics. Placing that over the lip of the jar, that made the smell cycle around the -

-"COOOOoooOFEEEEEEEeeeeeee"

I stage whispered to Sella.
-"The Cofee-Goul has awakened!"

Lo and behold, the disarrayed form of my better half was dragging the blankets in her shuffling towards the source of life. It was quite interesting seeing her change, from Undead to Rin. Having her here meant that I could partake with the frosted goodness. We ate in silence, only the cussings of Leysritt breaking the tranquillity.

I eyed her, inspecting her form. Disarrayed and lovely form, yet my brows knitted together in disapproval.
-"Where is your gun?"

She arched a brow over the lip of the saucer.
-"In the bag, somewhere in the room."

-"Tut tut... A weapon only helps if you care for it."
Between bites, I went to the room and fetched my shoulder rig alongside the Mateba. Munching over the sinfully creamy pastries, I commanded Rin to stand up.
"C'mere. New rule of our marriage; no walking around without a weapon."

She eyed me, doing a deliberate once over with her eyes.
-"Rules for me but nor for thee? All your weapons remain on the bedside table, where you left them last night."
She poked me in the chest.
"You said, verbatim, I am unarmed."

I scratched my cheek.
-"Sella, stab me with a knife, please."

She gasped and her eyes brimmed with tears.
-"NOO! I...I can't, please no..."

Rin pinched my cheek.
-"These are Humonculi created by the Eizberns themselves. Without your projected weapons, they would make mincemeat out of your foolish arse."

-"Leysritt, if you attack me with a knife and draw blood... I will give you the Sunday off to visit Sh-"

I avoided her lunge, her overzealous rush continuing over several walls.

Rin was left gaping at the Leysritt shaped hole. I ignored her and picked up another pastry, this one a lemon pie with cinnamon.
-"Ye gods Sella, you are a treasure."

She hiccuped and dried her teary eyes.
-"But she she...shHIc...she will hurtHIc you!"

I shrugged, wiping the frosting in my fingers.
-"If she hurts me, my uncle Kuzuki will kill me."
Hearing the heavy footsteps drawing closer, I prepared for another bout.
"Or train me to death, which is worse."

Leysritt was panting, her red eyes shining with desire.
-"I WILL HAVE MY SHINJI-TOY!"

Recalling the sorry state of said fella, I remembered that there were many things worse than death.