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"Of course," Ulrich added, "it doesn't help that Ulani and I are so often traveling ourselves. Between going for supplies and just plain seeing more people, we do tend to be gone quite often lately."

"Sometimes you come visit me, too," Rhea piped up, licking some egg yolk off her fingers.

Ulrich chuckled. "Yes, we do," he agreed with her warmly. "Though I fear that's one visit we don't make quite often enough."

"Ah," Ulrich smiled, "yes. Ulani is far more proficient with a staff than I am ... she would indeed be the best - and nearest - teacher. Besides, I wouldn't want to see any more dangerous weapons in the hand of our granddaughter - not while she's this young."

Rhea pouted. "I can learn, Neko," she told him in a matter-of-fact tone of voice.

"I know," Ulrich soothed her, "but you're too young to think about killing. And with everyone here, you don't yet need to worry about defense ... at least not with a weapon, yet."

"Oh, I hope it does," Ulrich couldn't help but murmur wistfully. He hugged Rhea close. "Not that I don't like you all energetic and bubbly," he grinned at her, "but sometimes you need to give your Mama a rest."

"I know," Rhea smiled up at Ulrich innocently. "That's why Aragost got me the staff, so that I don't take all of Mama's energy."

Ulrich chuckled. "How big is the staff, anyways?" he asked.

"Real big!" Rhea exclaimed, throwing her arms high in the air to show him. "It's as big as two of me!"

Rhea giggled and snuggled into her grandfather's arms. "Well, it'll be a while before I grow big for it," she murmured, "but that's okay."

Ulrich squeezed Rhea again for a hug. "The time will come soon enough," he assured her. "Don't you rush it. Your parents grew up all too fast as well."

Ulani returned then, with a small pot of cider, and she moved to hang it over the fireplace. "Shouldn't be long," she smiled at Cindy. "I hope Ulrich isn't being too much of a tease."

Ulani was amazed. "You managed to spend a few minutes in his presence without him trying to tease you? That's ... a miracle."

Ulrich pouted. "Now, now, you're going to give her the impression that I'm-"

"-a child still at heart?" Ulani interrupted with a faint smile. "I dare you to say that I'm wrong."

Ulrich opened his mouth to protest, then closed it and looked away.

Rhea giggled. "He's just a big kid," she told Cindy as if she was confiding a great secret to her. "But he doesn't like to say so."

Rhea pouted at Cindy. "But I didn't tell you any of the stories!" she protested. "About how he plays with me and teaches me things and makes me toys and stuff!"

Ulani laughed. "Come now, Rhea, there's no need to feel insulted," she grinned at her granddaughter. "You know Cindy wasn't trying to cut you off or anything, I'm sure she would love to hear the stories you have to tell her sometime."

Rhea was placated for the moment, and she smiled once more at Cindy.

"Then someday," she murmured, "I'm going to tell you aaaaaall about my neko, all right?" She smiled sweetly. "And then you'll know that he's just a big kid. Just like everyone else says."