"Persephone will want dinner," Aunt Mary said, wrapping a plate carefully and setting it on the counter. "Erik, would you mind taking it down to her?"
"I can do that." Erik reached for the plate, then hesitated. "Could I take two more?"
Aunt Mary's eyebrow rose, slow and deliberate, though she said nothing about it, simply reaching for two more plates and beginning to portion out servings without comment.
"For Vanya and Harold," Erik added, unprompted, as though the explanation might head off whatever question was clearly forming behind her raised eyebrow.
"I didn't ask," Mary said, mild, wrapping the second and third plates with the same careful attention she'd given the first. "I don't believe I've met either of them, have I?"
"Not yet," Erik said. "Persephone's neighbors. They looked after her while she was sick."
"Ah." Mary's expression softened at that, understanding settling in easily. "Then they've more than earned a hot meal. Be careful carrying all three."
