Apprenticeship

Oleander got up and moved away from the patient, Citadel wiped his paws, and followed suit. Knowing he ‘belonged’ to Oleander for as long as his parents deemed it to be so. He sat and waited while his mentor brewed the tea and placed it in front of him. He took a sip, wincing at the heat. Best to leave it for a moment.

Oleander restarted the conversation, and Citadel sighed again. This time, deeper and longer than before. It really was a tragedy to be a misunderstood kid. “I meant I wouldn’t care if you talked over me.” He muttered quietly into his tea, knowing the comment had been in angst in the first place.

“Of course I would, but if you're caring about everyone all the time, that sounds like a lot of work. I care about my family, even my dumb sister that steals my stuff.” He was starting to sound like a whining kid, but he didn’t feel Ollie was being very fair on him.