Mona also looked around carefully. However, her gaze was more scrutinizing, as if she wanted to make sure I was being kept in a species-appropriate environment.

After she had glanced over everything, she looked at me benevolently and said, "Simple and small, but cozy. It somehow suits you."

I looked at her in surprise.

When she described the room as plain and small, I didn't even want to know what her house looked like.

Let alone what she would have said about my old room.

Tara shook her head, rolling her eyes, and giggled, "Oh Mona, don't be such a snob!"

She tapped the sofa next to her and seemed...