Just smile and be happy.
Zavien didn't miss the anger flash across Lena's face, slightly surprised to see the negative emotion contrast with her kind features, but it was gone just as quickly and he gave her a sad smile in return. "It is unfortunate. They have to grow up a lot faster than other kids." Looking to Ava and Aiden again, he was reminded of his own childhood. His mother had been much more loving than the average parents of the neighborhood, however, the taxing labor required of her and the circumstances of her death left him on a similar path nonetheless. Luckily, the community of their neighbors hadn't changed. They supported each other despite their own troubles. Thinking about the multitude of people, he said, "They're not alone. We have older patrons who try to teach them manners and sometimes even trade skills. Granny June is one of those. She's blind and can't work anymore, but the community provides for her in an unspoken exchange for questionable childcare." He thought about how the kids often played tricks on the cranky woman, causing her to wallop them with her guiding cane. If anything, she taught them how to respect their elders. Zavien rubbed his arm at the phantom ache of when she'd caught him instead of the culprit and he laughed.
Realizing that he was getting lost in his own memories, he asked, "Don't you live in the Celestine?" Zavien didn't remember there being any living arrangement, but he also hadn't explored the area very thoroughly.
He gasped dramatically and wrinkled his face at the mention of mucking out stalls. He'd smelled much worse than manure, but didn't want to ruin the happy atmosphere. Pretending to push the fear away, he steeled his face and placed a hand over his heart. "I shall just have to follow your orders to the T, my lady." Determination glittered in his eyes and he gave her a winning smile.
Realizing that he was getting lost in his own memories, he asked, "Don't you live in the Celestine?" Zavien didn't remember there being any living arrangement, but he also hadn't explored the area very thoroughly.
He gasped dramatically and wrinkled his face at the mention of mucking out stalls. He'd smelled much worse than manure, but didn't want to ruin the happy atmosphere. Pretending to push the fear away, he steeled his face and placed a hand over his heart. "I shall just have to follow your orders to the T, my lady." Determination glittered in his eyes and he gave her a winning smile.
Zavien
