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The Olplyn was enjoying his quiet snow day. A fire in the hearth, a good book, a glass of wine, and a new couch; there was nothing better. The glass was half way to his lips when the knock reached him. The Olplyn gave an irritated twitch of the ear nearest the sound, then settled deeper in his seat, half tempted to ignore the knock and pretend he wasn't in.

However, he soon relented and stood, carefully setting both book and glass aside before stepping around the couch and towards the door. He pulled it open, opening his mouth to greet whoever was there, and paused when he saw...no one. A glance around and down quickly revealed the girl, and the Olplyn grimaced, taking a step back with the same look he might have had if someone had told him he would have nothing to eat but roaches forever onward. "What are you doing here?"

She ducked past him inside, and Jatin was left gaping out into the open roadway, thankfully empty due to the new fallen snow. Gritting his teeth against a curse, the Olplyn slammed the door shut and stormed after the little girl pausing once more when he found her seated patiently on his new couch. He frowned pointedly as he listened to her brief explanation, and, almost the moment she had finished speaking, pointed a finger back towards the door. "It's the middle of winter, and you're too young. Tell your mother I'll bother with it once the snow passes and you're older. Get. Out. Be gone."

One of them had to work, right?

That was not the response he had been hoping for. Jatin sidestepped to stand in the middle of the doorway, smiling sweetly and leaning forward to address Stazja on 'her level'. "Little girl," he began, not entirely sure what else to call her (he had forgotten her name long since), "Do you have any idea what would happen if Lysius found out who you are? I could be killed, you could be killed, your dear daddy would most probably be killed, and I think your mother would be fairly upset by my passing, if not the others. You wouldn't want that, aye? Let's just get you home."

Ohhh....she was good. He hated to admit it, but she was good. She was smart, he would give her that. Very bright for a child her age. And the age was quite helpful as well. She had all the charm and innocence of a little girl, but was crafty enough to sink daggers where they were needed. He slowly straightened up once she stepped back, eyeing the girl thoughtfully as he considered her words. Finally, however, he grinned, though his eyes hardened to betray how serious he was about his words. "On one condition. If you are discovered here--by anyone, mind--you are of no relation to me. None. We're going to mask those stripes until you're gone, and you will be Jack's child to whoever finds you. Agreed?"

"Of course not, my lady," he replied just as sweetly, tossing in a bow for good measure. He rolled his eyes before straightening up and, turning, started towards the small spare bedroom, waving for her to follow. Upon reaching it, he opened the door and flipped on the lights, then sidestepped and swept a hand to gesture her inside. The room was nothing special, all in all. There was a queen-sized bed, a small dresser, and a closet off to one side, but really...that was all. Everything appeared a touch dusty, but that could be easily remedied. Jatin hadn't ever had a use for the room before then.

"A good fourth of our rank are living in worse conditions than this," he replied curtly, sending her a frown. "Your training has begun." Turning away from the door, he returned to his couch and took a seat, reaching once more for his glass and book. "Help yourself to whatever you find in the kitchen. If this is going to be your home, don't expect me to wait on you hand and foot."

"Training will most certainly include cooking lessons," he assured her from his seat on the couch eve as he took a sip of wine. "But not today." Today he was going to enjoy himself, regardless of the little disturbance that had arrived on his doorstep. He would have some words for Jack when next the pirate arrived in the village. "You'll have to use a chair, I'm afraid. Don't burn down my house."