"No problem, dear." Elina replied, making him groan.
"What do you mean, I'm welcome to come along, but I'll have to pay my own tab, Lith?" Tista protested, since she was the only one to whom he had applied such terms.
"Well, the last time we came here, you and Bodya alone were worth half the tab." Lith grunted. "This is a family dinner, and as far as I know, he's not part of our family."
"Why are you cutting me off, then?" She grunted back. "Are you disowning me or what?"
"You already owe me a pile of Adamant, big sis." Lith's eyes narrowed. "You've maxed out your credit with me until you start paying me back."
Driven into the corner, Tista could only resort to Forbidden Magic.
"Mom, Lith is being mean to me! He's not buying me food!"
"Please." He scoffed. "You are a grown-up woman. This kind of trick doesn't work…"
Lith's voice trailed off as he met his mother's pained expression.
"Are you really going to leave your sister home just to save a few coins?" Elina asked.
