“Ah, the sandworm awakens.” He leaned back, crossing his arms and managing not to elbow Braska in the process. “My mistake – I saw the way you jumped and spun, then retreated to the other corner of the room, as surprise. Forgive my my false impression of your reaction.”
He’d more or less given up on trying to stop her from calling him papa bear. Every rebuke only seemed to make her more determined. And by this point it wasn’t at all Chuami trying to uphold her claim, but more… an affectionate nickname than anything else.
He flicked her on the forehead in retaliation nonetheless. “I appreciate your concern. Believe me, I know the value of delegation -” Even if I don’t actually do it much. “- I simply prefer to take care of things myself.”
[ 大召喚士 ]
“Chuami, that’s not entirely fair. He’s been known to take advice on occasion.
How do you think he became so skilled at making tea?”Though he had been speaking to Chuami with his reply, Braska had made a point to look instead at Auron. If he tone hadn’t given him away, his expression certain had. He’d wanted the man to see just how pleased he was with his clever response. After he’d flashed a quick grin, he turned back to her, resuming an air of faux seriousness, though a small smile broke through after he noted indeed how sleepy she looked. She had been asleep at some point, that was certain, even if it hadn’t been since the two of them had sat down with her. Auron’s flick of her forehead made him laugh and he quickly jumped in to speak before she had a chance to respond.
“That sounds a bit like someone else I know. Any ideas?”
He made sure, this time, that he found Chuami’s eyes, sporting that same playful expression.
“Perhaps you too should take your own advice sometime…
Though, who am I to talk, really? I’d say we’re all terribly guilty here.”
When Braska spoke, Chuami was still scowling at Auron, and it was him she spoke to first, tilting her head at the door as she did.
“You wanna take this outside, big guy? Huh? Noooo, I didn’t think so. Any time, bro. Any time. You won’t get the drop on me again.”
She laughed and drew her knees up to her chin, yawned and made another half hearted attempt to smooth her hair down.
“I guess you’re right, bluebird. We kind of all suck at that, don’t we…?”
She was silent for a moment, her face growing wide-eyed and solemn. Looking at each of them in turn, she sighed and gave them encouraging smiles.
“It’s so great that we have this support group going. Does anyone want to knit? Talk about their husbands, perhaps?”
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