Metts cheerfully came down the stairs the next morning to get breakfast. He was startled to see his Master’s slumped form at the kitchen table. His long hair had fallen out of it’s braid and was covering his face in tangled black strips, while he sat in a wrinkly set of pajamas. There was also no breakfast started. (Which was the real problem, as far as Metts was concerned.)

“Master are you alright?” He ran over, worried he’d have to make something. His cooking skills weren’t up to par yet, he’d only moved out of his parent’s home two weeks ago after all.

Thio sighed, a deep bone weary sigh that lasted overly long.

“Metts.”

“Yes Master?”

“I think I’m hated.”

“Eh? Why?”

“I am selfish and manipulative, is what I’m told.”A

“Isn’t everybody?”

Thio sighed again and leaned forward on the table, until his forehead touched the woody surface.

“So she was right about that too, huh?”

“Who was right about what?”

“Caroline.”

Metts eyebrows shot up. Oh! O——h! He knew what this was! Yes, he’d seen it before! This was a—what did they call it?—a couples feud!

Patting Thio on the shoulder, he comforted. “Did you and the Madam get into a fight?”

He could almost see his Master sinking further into the table.

“Aw… Master, it’s okay. You just need to smooth things over.”

“How? She hates me now!”

“Well, just say you’re sorry for whatever you did.”

“But I wasn’t really wrong either.”

Metts’ face strained as he tried not to get impatient. If Thio was going to be this stubborn, it wasn’t just breakfast that was in danger. Every meal was at risk.

“Master… My father once told me that you can’t ever win a fight with a woman. Instead of winning your argument, win her heart.”

Thio turned his tired face towards Metts. “What’s that even mean?”

“In Dad’s case, he double down on “expressing love” as he called it.”

“Expressing love?”

“Yep, it was disgusting. He’d bring home flowers that were just weeds, cheap sweets, and say the cheesiest lines. He’d be extra helpful, but he just got in the way. He’d hug Mom, and kiss her, and grab her—”

“Ah!” Thio raised his hand. “I get the picture. And that worked?”

“On my Mom it did.” He looked thoughtful. “Though I think she was on to him. She told me once that she thought he was funny, so she couldn’t stay mad at him for long.”

“Your family is very… wholesome.”

“Eh… I dunno about that, there’s a reason they have 10 kids you know.”