Snowforest Taiga living without you

She might've found him cute, except that Stryx didn't like kids all that much. They were disproportionate, lacked fine motor control, and didn't know enough to be interesting to her, but she knew how not to behave around them. It took focus to stop herself from rolling her eyes at him. If no other adults came around then it was her duty to keep him safe — or escort him home if necessary — and it was a task she was resigned to accomplishing. Maybe it wasn't far.

His mumbled commentary wasn't too important to her. He kept on repeating the same thing, and while Stryx wanted to roll her eyes she didn't. Yes, flowers, they're... pretty, and stuff.

But he couldn't find any. Stryx hadn't noticed anything valuable on the way through the area, but seeing him searching the dirt (and how pathetic he was) she took pity on his effort. If you stay right here and finish your food, I'll bring you some flowers. OK? She lowered her head as she said this, sliding to her belly so that she was sprawled at his level, and looking at him eye-to-eye.