Let's Be Friends

"Okay, so..." I awkwardly stared at Vexa, who sat in front of me with her legs crossed, a sword resting on her lap. I, on the other hand, had a dumb-looking cat lounging in mine.

'Ay!' Blaze took offense, but all I heard was a purr.

"I always thought it was weird for you to have such an adorable familiar," Vexa said, striking an odd topic.

I looked down at Blaze, who—being all smug after the compliment—jumped off my lap and onto my head.

"Is that so... I don't find this one adorable at all. At most, he's just annoying to have around," I muttered, grabbing him by the neck and tossing him lightly in the direction of where Aron was sitting. The prince flinched in a strangely dramatic way.

Aron was already boring holes into us with his stare, and so were the others—but Mary's gaze was the most evident.