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Lioe wasn't sure how he had ended up in this position, and he was less than pleased with it. His father had gone on an emergency call when it was supposed to be their day together, the siblings off on some fun jaunt elsewhere. Lioe understood that emergencies happened, but surely he would have been fine on his own! Why did his father have to send for Ujana to check on him?

Before she got there, he had tucked himself into one corner of the living room and had his nose pressed into a book. Reading about someone else's chaotic life was much more enjoyable than giving too much attention to his own. Ujana was his half-sister, and the idea of his father being part of "another" family made his head hurt. Hopefully, she would just pop in and head right back out...

Lioe peeked over the bound pages at the knock, briefly entertaining the idea that papa had returned already. With a soft sigh of resignation at the voice that called out, he sunk back down into his book and tried to be invisible. As much as he wanted to put real effort into hiding, he didn't want to get another earful for scaring the sitter.

Once he was spotted, he peeked up over the book again. His eyes flicked over the basket curiously, and he did attempt to meet the woman's gaze... Nope. Too much. It was a long moment before he shrugged, though it may have been too subtle to see. "Comfy here," he said quietly, sinking back down once more.

Eyes apathetically sticking to the pages, Lioe attempted to lose himself in the neatly typed words that were lined in orderly rows. Books were so nice and calm. However, he could feel Ujana watching him. She was so intense!

He was all set to turn down whatever bargain was about to be made, but a secret word caused him to pause. Very slowly, his pale green gaze rose again to peer at the basket that hung on his sister's arm. Treats? Normal, everyday food was one thing, but treats? Treats or book..? Book or treats..?

"Treats for me?" he asked hesitantly as though doubting Ujana's intentions.

Lips pursing into the slightest pout, Lioe nonetheless found his interest piqued. He wasn't sure how she expected him to trust her! Maybe if he thought of it as doing it for his papa...

Ishtar? Yummy treats were for people to eat, not the animals! Sucking his lips back in, he silently closed the book and clutched it to his chest like a shield. "I want some," he quietly insisted as he stood. Instead of moving forward though, his eyes fell to the book. He had to drop the book if he wanted the treat, but could he let go of the protection? His eyes rose again, now attempting to silently bargain to be allowed to keep the book if he went with her.

Lioe couldn't help how his expression perked up, nodding his agreement to the altered bargain. Perhaps there was hope for Ujana after all? He still held the book tight, but he at least started walking forward toward his sister. "You got sticky ones?" he asked curiously, feeling his mouth starting to water now that he was letting himself get excited for the surprise snacks.

Lioe took a deep breath to steady himself before crossing the house threshold, squinting slightly at the light filtering through the trees. Outside was so overrated... but it had its good parts. At least she wasn't trying to take him to some distant field. He could still feel safe near home.

Peeking into the basket at the exposed treat, his eyes lit up even further. It looked so yummy. He bit his lip and gave Ujana a shy smile of excitement. His brow rose suddenly though, and he ran back into the house without warning. It was only a moment before he came back and held a napkin out to offer his sister. "Sticky fingers," he explained, that little smile managing to remain. The book remained under one arm, a napkin for himself tucked in as well.

Once he had set the book tenderly to the side, well out of the way of the fudge, he sat himself down and reached for a bite. With the chewy treat melting in his mouth, Lioe allowed himself a moment to pause and silently observe his sister. He still was not very fond of his extended family. It was difficult to open himself up to the underlying meaning of their presence, and so much simpler to avoid the whole thing...

Yet, maybe they really weren't so terrible to be around? Without a conscious effort on his end, each little interaction was allowing him to open up a little further. The fudge was a treat.. but family could be, too.

"Maybe," he found himself murmuring in agreement, quickly shoving the rest of the little square into his mouth.

Yeah. Maybe not so bad.