Ciggma Khint

Growth

“Great!” Eight was such a gross time, and he hated it, but he’s had to be at school by eight for longer than he’s been alive. It was doable, and it would keep him from being shipped back to those awful classes. Pyria would say something that was like this: sacrifices to reach your goal, or something like that, but Quince tried not to think about that.

Oh, phew. Eight wasn’t a bad time. Or if it was, Quince was just... accepting it. Which, he guessed, was as good as he could hopeful. “Alright then. Eight AM it is. Make sure to bring some sort of computer or tablet.” There was nothing preventing Quince from going to the cafeteria, or even bringing his own lunch, so that could go unsaid. “Do you have any questions? Any requests?” Just in case they were missing something that could make this easier on the both of them.

Who Likes the Desert?

Firsts

“You would be an adorable child with far too doting of a mother, though.” Khint nearly smirked his amusement, the tease clear in his voice. Talia would look adorable in such a dress, but she did have a point. “...Mm, I can’t say I feel strongly either way.” His feelings toward clothing were... neutral at best. “They’re... cuter than many popular fashions.”

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Khint stayed quiet, shifting his position to get more comfortable. (Although there was some awkwardness to it too.) “...I can understand the sentiment. I had it for a long time.” Always quiet, always stern. Even if children found him reassuring in small periods of time, he’d always worried that that they wouldn’t like him. “Jackal and Amira were simply... They needed someone. I volunteered. Making connections came after.” He’d never thought he would end up so... attached to someone until Amira. He never thought he could be a parental figure to anyone until her. She’d... changed him a lot, that little girl. “I’m not suggesting anything. To be clear.” 

Firsts

Firsts

She giggled, though it attempted to be hidden behind her hand. Now there was an image. Then again, he could probably almost pull it off. Almost. “So? How did you do?”

“I don’t remember. I do remember a lot of people admiring my abs.” Now he was more than a little embarrassed, but it was a fun story. “...Shall we move on in the exhibit? I’m getting flashbacks. Specifically the ones that make me wonder how women’s fashion works.”

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She nodded. “Really. Any time. I never get a chance to be around children, not since I got this office. I don’t exactly have any relatives or siblings whose children I can take care of.” She smiled sheepishly, shrugging a little. “And I never really had the opportunity to have my own. It’d be enjoyable, to have the company.”

Oh, so she DID want to babysit his children. That changed things entirely. “If I need someone to watch them, I’ll certainly give you a call.” Talia was someone he could trust. Probably better than a normal babysitter in many ways. “They aren’t too difficult. They usually are well behaved...” He paused in thought. “...Do you want to have your own some day?” Just out of curiosity. 

Who Likes the Desert?

Firsts

“...Yes, business attire is both our styles.” Comfortable semi-formal seemed about right for the two of them. Things they could work in. Anything else... well... “...Back in the NDC academy...” He started. “I lost a bet. I don’t remember all of the details, but my fellow officers took me to Aurora for belly-dancing lessons.” There was a definite, embarrassed pause. “They talked the instructor into giving me the female uniform. They had something in my size.” He had pictures at home, in a journal filled with his odd adventures as a younger man. “It was green.”

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“Well, if you ever need a small break or vacation or … even some extra time to handle something at work, I have enough vacation time. I wouldn’t mind babysitting them.” That was put mildly. She couldn’t imagine something she would enjoy more. 

She was offering? Really? He knew Talia worked just as hard as he did, so would it be fair to dump his children on her? “... Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.” If times got dire and babysitters got thin. Or, if Talia just really wanted to babysit his children, for some reason.

Who Likes the Desert?

Even in the face of disappointment, Talia could find some humor. What an interesting person. Even if he wouldn’t rob her blind, it was probably good to remind her that she was talking to a bandit, not a templar. “How do you feel about ‘Vints, then?” His head cocked to the side, his unbound hair following his movements. “Money keeping practices in Tevinter can be just as ridiculous as those in Orleasian courts.” 

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She smiled. It was admirable, how modest he was. “He looks happy. I would bet everything that he’s very happy to have you, too.” With how they worked together, how much of a unit they seemed to be, how could it be anything else? “You’ve done so well with them. And while working so much. It’s such an admirable feat!”

Khint shrugged. He couldn’t argue that. Being a single father of two while working full time was a feat. And he liked to think he was doing a good job at parenting. “I...well... thank you.” He shifted awkwardly. “It would likely be easier if it wasn’t just me, but considering it was my choice to adopt...”

Firsts