Despite herself, Pepper mirrored the smirk. Bakura had a way of making being dangerous very appealing, somehow. "Just don't maim anyone permanently," she advised.

While waiting for the tea to boil, Pepper unsealed a container of some of Marie's recent batch of baking and placed a half dozen on a small plate. The kettle whistled shortly thereafter, and soon they had two steaming mugs of tea to go along with the selected treats.

"It's too bad we undid the latest couch fort," she said as she gestured that they go into the living room using her head, since her hands were occupied. "Although boiling water and unstable structures is maybe not the best combination."