187 A Promise (2/2)

Tia unlatched her bite from Li's arm and looked up at him expectantly, her round black and green eyes exuding pride.

Li looked at the shredded pieces of fabric falling from his arm and nodded. ”Okay, I admit it, you're strong.” Li stooped down and picked Tia up, and she giggled as he rested her on his shoulder. ”But even the strongest need their sleep.”

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In their room, Li finished bundling Tia up in her blankets. He liked to spend the night sitting up against the wall, entering his own 'sleep' where he meditated. Often times, Tia would move her bundled body near him, sleeping in his lap, and tonight was no different.

Tia rested her head atop Li's leg with a content smile. Usually, it was rare that she needed to enter into Li's meditation to get into a deep sleep, but of course, when she had her nightmares, that was the best option.

Li did not feel great about wiping away that smile, but he knew it would be back soon. ”Tia, tomorrow, I'm going to be away for the whole day. Thane will be taking care of you, so make sure to listen to him.”

Tia frowned. ”All day? Gone?”

Li put a hand to her head, gently stroking her hair. ”Yes, all day.”

”Where?” asked Tia.

”Another forest south of here,” said Li. ”I have to help a few people with important things. But don't worry, I'll be close enough to reach you in an instant if you need me.”

”Have to go?” said Tia as she widened her eyes, this time not with pride, but in pleading.

”Yes, I have to,” said Li. ”I'll be back, though, and when I do get back, we should spend a whole day out hunting together.”

The prospect of an entire day of adventuring with Li made Tia brighten up a little, but she was not yet convinced of this deal.

”Day will be boring,” said Tia. ”No Jeanne, Sylvie, Azhar. Thane farming.”

”I've made sure to have Zagan stay with you as well. You could play with him, too.”

”Black dog not fun,” said Tia. ”Don't know how to play. Not like other dogs. Only stay still.”

”Well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised,” said Li. He tried to think of something more to say, something more that would comfort Tia but would not be an outright lie, but he began to realize his inexperience as a father figure was showing through.

It was Tia that spoke first.

”It's okay, papa” said Tia as she read Li's concentrated expression. ”I can stay and be good. But make promise: come back at night? Might be cold.”

Li smiled and nodded to Tia. ”I promise.”