I stared at her, one eyebrow raised in mock judgment as she finished to perfect the belt and moved to the coat, holding it open behind me like a personal valet who happened to be a literal goddess.
"Also," ARIA said, pulling the coat into place across my shoulders and smoothing it with the kind of obsessive focus usually reserved for holy relics, "you said you'd never get surprised by anything I do. Remember? Up on the cloud? Your own words. And yet here you are — surprised."
"That was different."
"How was it different?"
"You teleported my girlfriend."
"Correct."
"Without asking."
"Also correct."
"Also, ARIA, do you realize you just called your master a peasant? I am. Your. Master!"
She finally looked up at me, galaxy-eyes locking onto mine with that insufferable, knowing little smile she saved exclusively for moments when she was being an absolute menace and wanted full credit for it.
"Yeah," she said sweetly. "That's how I know you'll never do anything about it."
