The morning started with burnt toast.
Aria didn't notice it at first.
She had been standing at the stove watching the pan like it contained some ancient mystery. The bread sat in the toaster a little too long. Smoke curled slowly toward the ceiling.
Kai walked into the kitchen, took one look, and reached past her to unplug the toaster.
"You're thinking again," he said.
Aria blinked.
"Oh."
She stared at the blackened slice of bread in the slot.
"That was supposed to be breakfast."
Kai leaned against the counter and folded his arms.
"Well," he said, "technically it still is."
Aria pulled the toast out with a fork and inspected it.
It looked like charcoal.
She dropped it into the trash.
"I used to run global defense strategies before sunrise," she said.
Kai opened the refrigerator.
"And now you're losing a fight with a toaster."
He pulled out eggs and set them on the counter.
"Character growth."
Aria narrowed her eyes.
"You're enjoying this too much."
"Immensely."
