Shady

“Oh?”

Jerica shrugged. Lots of things. Few of them pleasant. He didn’t need to know about all that. “Um… I’m doing a lot of experiments with Professor Orsetov these days. I ...

“Thank you, sir.” Tadaaki nodded. “I’m sure there are many more to come. She’s only five.”

Jerica smiled a little. That felt nice. Rickard always made her feel nice. Ky once again thought of D’Ara and started pacing again. She didn’t want to socialize with that ...

“…Is that a good thing?” Ky smiled and nodded. “Good for socialization.”

“Yes sir.” Tadaaki agreed earnestly. “I missed so many milestones.”

“No, no, not at all.” Jerica shook her head, brushing it away. “It… is understandable… given… well. I’m sorry I was… dramatic. I… guess I haven’t outgrown that personality trait.�

“I’m good.” She nodded, deciding to lean against the wall to lessen the awkward. “It’s… good to see you. I’m sorry to have startled you. I didn’t know you were ...

“Thank you, sir.” Tadaaki dipped his head gratefully. “I really, really appreciate that.”

“…How are you?” This was awkward. What did she even do with her hands? “It was very helpful.” Ky nodded. “I didn’t know what I was doing with it.”

“Yessir.” Tadaaki dipped his head. “…Though I’m sure it was much harder for both of them.” He just missed them. Sure, so much it hurt — sometimes physically it was ...

Jerica slipped inside the door and immediately set her sword belt down before she even finished closing the door. Then she straightened and stepped away from it and the door. ...

Tadaaki blushed. “…She was only a week old when I was taken.”

Jerica knocked hesitantly. Ky smiled a little. “Sera helped me design it.”

“…Hopefully,” Tadaaki agreed with a hesitant nod.