The Drunken Darian (Kimiko's favorite dive) was in full swing, the air thick with the smell of ale and sweat and other miscellaneous scents.
Isabella leaned back in her chair, one hand wrapped around a tankard, the other resting on her mother's thigh. Kimiko sat beside her, long pink hair cascading over her shoulders, her green eyes sparkling with mischief.
"You know," Isabella said, her words slightly slurred, "I'm just fucking glad you're still here, Mom."
Kimiko raised an eyebrow with a smirk.
"Oh? Getting sentimental on me? So soon?"
Isabella snorted, taking another swig of her drink.
"Fuck off. I'm serious. When those Shadow Mage assholes attacked... I thought I was gonna lose you."
For a moment, Kimiko's expression softened. She reached out, cupping Isabella's cheek in her hand.
"It'll take more than a few wannabe assassins to take me down, baby girl."
