“Oh, no!” A softer voice called from the doorway to the kitchen, both words punctuated by a clank and a chime. A bronze teapot on two legs bowed deeply to the boy. “You’re an honored guest! It would be shameful to ask anything of you.”

“How…the heck…is he honored…” Kasa wheezed, even more drained by the fruitless display.

“He’s our first guest in an age.”