take it slow

Only a few moments after Avantika sat down, a small thing scampered up beside her. Her ears pinned back, but she realized who it was quickly enough to let them rise back to a relaxed position. Just a pup. Bramble, one of her many young nieces, who was wearing a big smile and wagging her tail, and who probably should be sleeping at this hour. She was a growing girl! She needed to get her rest.

But she would not be able to tell Bramble to go home and sleep, since the girl had already begun explaining that she couldn't sleep and that she'd been bored. Stars above, Avantika had to curb this soft spot she had for the kids. Pretty much as soon as Bramble had started talking, she found herself completely unable to stomach the idea of telling her to go away. And so she replied instead, "I don't mind. You can stay here with me for a while if you want." She gazed down the falls once more. "Yes, it's a nice place to sit and think." Fixing her attention back to Bramble, she praised, "You're very sneaky. I didn't know you were there at all."

"Speech"