Nina felt the sudden urge to resort by to her past childlike self as she stuck her tongue out over the table at him while his back was turned away from her. All the teasing and camaraderie always had the habit of flowing freely void of any mean feelings and intent though that certainly didn’t stop the long-standing sibling rivalry from playing a vital part in their mischief, well, her mischief. “Oh fine, go ahead. You can feed that rubbish to Goose. She clearly loves you more than I do. It’s all character-building anyway” She protested, planting a hand firmly on the base of her hip. Spying the third spoonful already being stirred into her brother’s cup of tea, she couldn’t help but hearken back to that age-old adage about pots and kettles. “Isn’t that enough sugar for one coma? I mean, don’t let me stop you from getting a step closer from some very lovely dentures but really, you’re sweet enough, don’t you think?” She assured him with a lightly platonic pat on his bristly cheek. It was true enough, no matter how many years seemed to pass and however terrible the tormenting became, her older brother was always safely considered one of her favourite people despite how adamant he was to change her less-than-healthy ways.
“Oh no, if he carries on like this, he’ll definitely be on the first bus to Harrow” She shook her head softly until she realised exactly who she sounded like in that precise moment. “Oh god, I sound like Mum, don’t I?” Although, when they were younger, their mother was the epitome of all that sweet and kind in the world and still was to some extent, Nina couldn’t help mentally cursing herself by comparison. “And I’d rather die eating something bad for me but extremely delicious than something you’d also get away with feeding to a rabbit” She assured him with a soft glare before waiting for her cards to be dispatched from the bigger stack. He wasn’t ever going to win the debate on healthy eating especially when Nina was more concerned with taste rather than the actual scientific fact. “What can I say? I like to give Anna the opportunity to win once or twice. She’s been through enough having us as her only siblings. That woman deserves a break. Now enough stalling, I’m here to win and make a grown man cry”.
“Black tea is so bitter and strong, it's barely drinkable with sugar.” He protested rather crossly as he held up the box so he could read the label out loud. “Bright and Refreshing, my arse. It should say ‘so bitter it’ll kill your taste buds.” He began to mumble to himself again, stirring the sugar in his cup. “Can’t even drink my tea in peace without Little Ms. Ninny vexing me.” And despite how crossed he was for having his sweet tooth pointed out to him, his frown melted into a goofy smile in response to Nina Benny never was able to stay irritated with Nina for too long. Where his friends never let their sibling play rounders with them, he would always pick Nina first to be on his team. “I’m afraid to inform you that you’re the only person on this planet that believes I’m sweet.”
“No need to be so hard on the lad, Mrs. Monroe. He’ll surely outgrow his American ways before it comes to that. Besides, Mum would never let you sent him to Harrow.” Benny chuckled as she realized she sounded exactly like their Mum. Their own mother would often threaten them to send them to boarding school whenever they were up to mischief. Usually it was all empty threats, but still terrifying nevertheless. “Oh-ho! Mum will glad to know she is rubbing off on ya. You do, I almost felt like I was going to get scolded for not bringing you flowers.” With an exasperated groan, he rubbed his eyes, shaking his head at his little sister’s point of view. Sometimes he felt like he had lived for ages, in desperate need for a long nap and he could use one right about now. “That is exactly what will happen if you keep eating this crap. Is this what you recommend to your patients? I should report you to the medical board.” As he settled down across from Nina, his mug of tea at hand, he blew the hot steam away before cautiously taking a sip. The warmth of his beverage made him sigh, content that he was finally having tea. “What that woman deserves is a better husband who isn’t a complete arse and a vacation.” He retorted between blowing on his tea and sipping it. “I’m not stalling, I’m merely having a polite conversation before I crush you. Now, we’re both grown ups so you can’t go running to Mum when I beat you.”