Krek:
The field marshal's features softened after a moment, and suddenly she just looked incredibly tired. Worn out beyond the body. He had heard it happened when certain blessings were used for too long a time.
"As I told your friends, I would like to keep you my aces in the hole for the time being. If I made use of you too frequently, you would wear that uniform before too long, Krek. I think we both agree that wouldn't be a good idea, don't we?" She replied, giving him a few inches of understanding and lassitude. "Right now, I must deal with captains buckling under too many lost watchmen, with good people facing the gallows because of crooked guards, and the order of the Nail. We are all tense and you are lucky to have gotten here, instead of being detained."
Noting the supernatural fatigue, Krek began to feel uneasy. He didn't particularly care for the woman, but if some demon or whatnot was usurping her body, he was sure he'd care for that less.
"You are done with me for now then? Or you want me to help with these crooked guards?"
A hint of hesitation beginning to infringe on his usually impulsive personality, Krek began to wonder whether suggesting himself again was a mistake.
Although she tried hard to hide it behind her hard work, the usually perceptive rogue could sense the deeper currents and meanings of her his young ward's attention on him. Frankly though, he was not at all sure what to do about it. He was usually more concerned with getting women To feel this way about him, not getting them Not to feel this way. He did feel that he could begin to understand the difficult life she must have had before he met and freed her from Lamm's cruel clutches. Yet, while he could empathize with her need to impose some sort of control over her life, being an only child Zalen simply did not have any experience in dealing with young ladies.
Many thoughts cross through his mind, from asking his fellow female teammates to even consulting Zallera's tarot deck. In the end, even though he may indeed resort to those other methods if need be, he first decides to simply talk to her.
After he finishes his excellent breakfast, Zalen pushes his plates to the side and says "Well Ayen, that was truly excellent! Perhaps we'll have to open you up your own restaurant someday! But for the momement my dear, I wish to discuss some things with you, please sit" Once she does, he will continue "Ayen, I must be honest here in saying that I find I am a little out of my depth with my, with Our, new situation. I was an only child and mother passed away when I was about your age. Once my father...died... a couple of years ago I was completely alone in the world. Now, I find myself suddenly the head of a new family! You are a very bright and wise young lady Ayen and I shall be relying heavily on your aid to run this family as best as I can. I see you as the younger sister I never had but had always prayed for and I do indeed thank the Gods for bring you and the other children into my life." Zalen sits back for a moment, folding his fingers across his full stomach.
"So, I ask you Ayen, what exactly is it that you think you want now that you have your freedom and many new possibilities before you. Are you happy here? Am I putting to much pressure or responsibilty on you by asking you to help me run the family? Would you rather be somewhere else or doing something else? Please be honest with me and don't hesitate to ask me for anything you think may help you do your job better or make it easier or whatever else it is that you may want."
Zalen:
Somehow, "little Sister" were words to make Ayen whince. She looked at Zalen for a long, agonizing moment, then added. "Please, Mister Candorian... I'd just like to be here, and take care of your things." She turned around, ostentatiously to open a window. Zalen knew better than that, though. She was hiding something from him.
Once the task was done, she once more displayed her confident smile, and somewhat "bossy" attitude. "I'll get the boys in shape, so we can get the dumplings business back on the feet. We won't go to the fishery, but I think there must be other rendering places. And we'll find some way to spice them so they don't taste so much like offal. You'll see, soon we'll be making money instead of taking it from you"
Zalen sighs inwardly at his half-success Well, at least she seems to be happy enough to stay here for now and the Gods know I need her help! She a comely enough lass... if only she were a few years older maybe... No no! Enough of that kind of thinking young man, that'll just get you into exactly the kind of trouble you don't need or want. Let's just keep her at a brotherly distance and hope that she'll eventually grow out of her crush. But maybe I Will have to consult with Zellara or the girls...
Outwardly, Zalen smiles fondly, pretending he didn't know what she was really about and says "Well that will be fine Ayen. I have full confidence in you. If you have any other ideas or have need of anything, just let me know. As for now, the house is yours for I have some business to see to. I shant be too long." With a playful bow and smile, the rogue departs"