For Dorian, and anyone else who wants to visit

[singulartragedy]

Adrian sits down by the lake. His jacket is tossed on the ground a ways away, and his trouser legs are rolled up -- he's been wading in the water, and has now sat down with his little leatherbound book to write

Comments

[not_snake_bite]

There's a Pre-teen!Steerpike, walking around and kicking the grass aimlessly.

He's kind of happy not to be in the kitchens anymore, but he's not sure what to do with himself.....

[singulartragedy]

Adrian sees him walking and smiles wryly. He remembers that kind of boredom; it's the kind you never quite manage when you grow older and there's always something to worry about.

"Hello there," he says, cheerfully enough.

[not_snake_bite]

The kid looks up, and replies. “Hullo.” A little shyly. He’s wary of adults, and particularly men.

The only one he knows has been treating him very poorly. To say the least.

[singulartragedy]

Adrian doesn't make much of that, not knowing Steerpike's background. He was a shy child himself.

"Out for a walk? I imagine it gets dull here, for a boy of your age."

[not_snake_bite]

“Too many girls,” the kid replies moodily. “They cry all the time.” A thoughtful pause. “Girls have coodies.” As though he’d come up with prime wisdom.

[singulartragedy]

He can't help but laugh at that. "Well, perhaps they've something to cry over. Did you ask? -- And you may think differently, when you're older." That's what his brother always used to tell him, anyway.

[not_snake_bite]

Oh, he does. Unfortunately for Laurel.

He actually was responsible for Kalush crying. So.

"That one had no good reason to cry. Girls are dumb."

Because he's only ever met TWO.

[singulartragedy]

"I'm sure she thought it was a perfectly good reason."

[not_snake_bite]

"She's very stubborn, so yes." He kicks the grass.

[singulartragedy]

"What was her reason, if I may ask?"

[not_snake_bite]

"Called me an ignorant, sir." He might be cowering a little.

[singulartragedy]

Adrian frowns a little. "Why would she call you that?" He was called enough names by his elder brother, both growing up and once he started getting himself into trouble, that he doesn't like hearing of such words leveled at others.

[not_snake_bite]

"I'd never heard of her country, Sir."

[singulartragedy]

"Well, that was unkind of her," he says, his frown deepening. "People here come from such a broad variety of places, it's hardly a wonder if someone hasn't heard of them all."

[not_snake_bite]

He nods. "She'd never heard of mine either."

[singulartragedy]

"Then clearly you aren't any more ignorant than she is."