Mika, of course, took one look at the Nuri body pillow and nodded with a maddeningly satisfied expression.
"As expected."
Astrid covered half her face with one hand.
"Mika."
He ignored her completely, holding the Nuri pillow up between them.
"A pillow of Nuri herself. Imagine my surprise."
He glanced back at Astrid, and his teasing expression sharpened.
"You act like you can't stand her. You act as if the very fact she's a demi-human is enough for you to start hissing like a winter wind. But clearly…"
He shook the pillow slightly.
"That's not the whole story."
Astrid refused to meet his eyes.
Mika's voice softened, though only a little as he said,
"It makes sense, though. You knew Nuri from before all of this. Before the politics. Before the hatred became the thing you wrapped yourself in."
He looked down at the pillow thoughtfully.
"And out of everyone, Nuri was the only one who actually called you big sister all the time, wasn't she?"
