"Come on, Astrid. Just think about it for a second."
Her void-like eyes shifted to him, cold but attentive.
"Right now, you're forcing me into a situation I don't want to be in." He continued calmly. "You're trying to psychologically corner me into calling you big sister or whatever you want."
"But let me tell you if you force it out of me like this, there won't be any emotion behind it."
He looked at her seriously.
"It'll be cold. Thoughtless. Empty. And you know that's useless. If you want me to say it, it has to mean something. Forcing it right now won't give you what you want."
Her tails slowed, making it obvious that his words were working
"So." Mika said, crossing his arms. "If you can't think of anything better you want, fine. I'll give you something later—anything. But for now, just leave this guy alone."
For a few seconds, Astrid said nothing.
Thinking.
Her eyes flickered faintly.
Her lips pressed together slightly.
The entire field waited.
Then finally—
