Nope...(open)

[Thorn Wyatt]

"I'm interested in you."

Thorn says flatly, unaware of what that could mean otherwise.

"I've never seen a child before up close."

[Avice Locke]

She almost thought him flirting suddenly, then breathed a somewhat relieved exhale when the interest seemed to be towards Derik and not her. The face she made was probably the first legitimate smile Thorn would see from her.

"Derik's a couple weeks old, ya see? The 'ospital say 'im can't e'en 'old up 'is own 'ead. They be tender an' weak, no doubt." She looked at Thorn her eyes narrowed. "Ya were not making threats to me before were ya? Really looking back on it, I am thuroughly confused as to what that was fukin' about."

[Thorn Wyatt]

"Children are soft and weak."

He says, in answer to both parts of her question and statement.

"I was making an observation. Attitudes can bring you the bad kinds of attention, if you aren't careful."

It's his way of saying he was concerned, without actually saying it.

[Avice Locke]

"Look whos talking, Ya ought to not assume so much... Observing is one thing but our right Assuming with such certainty of what I or any other is capable of is outright rude. Aye?" asking if he understood but not caring if he answered as she continued. "Whether you care or not, Whether you be right or not... I am doing all I can to prove you wrong, for both our sakes." His observation of her failing and the baby dying did not make her feel well. It was hurtful no doubt, she would not think it anyone's fault but herself if anything came down on them.

[Thorn Wyatt]

"I am careful. And I'm protected."

Thorn shrugs nonchalantly.

"I hope you are right, however. I want to see how your child grows."

[Avice Locke]

She narrowed her eyes at him but decided to drop the toxicity. With a deep exhale she would take a moment to think.

"Ya want a closer look? He cannot see too much but he be watchin' movement an' bright colors." She offered. Its an almost truce concluding he hadn't been threatening them and she might have gotten a little defensive... just a tad.

[Thorn Wyatt]

"I would like that."

He nods.

"I've only seen children from far, when they were gathered for speeches."

[Avice Locke]

She'd welcome him closer.

"Speeches for what?" she would ask.

[Thorn Wyatt]

Thorn steps closer, leaning in to take a better look. He's genuinely curious, and it shows in the furrowing brow and tightening of his lips.

"Whenever dad would address his subjects. Usually to make examples of those who would rebel, but sometimes to give them incentives to work harder, or to reward them."

[Avice Locke]

"Ya a prince or somethin'?" She grinned unstrapping Derik a bit.

The pudgy faced baby had dark eyes open and was looking around, little muscles twitched in his face always moving or squirming in some fashion. little fingers feeling their new freedom and flex in tight fists and releasing.

[Thorn Wyatt]

Thorn squints a little more, unsure of what to do with this child's reactions.

"I am the prince of Gaia, more commonly known as the Kingdom of Dirt."

[Avice Locke]

"Ah, what kind of place is that? I'm not from 'ere in case ya cannot tell with me accent."

The babe furrows his face or tries to as the soft muscles don't hold the expression very well. Some might wonder if the Babe was mimicking the face of another.

[Thorn Wyatt]

"It is a place where my father has dragged us out of the darkness of war. He's made us far stronger and safer than anywhere else in the world."

Or so he's been taught.

"Rebels want what we have, so we have to kill them. We are also sworn to 259, which is why I'm here presently, learning under the instructors here."

[Avice Locke]

"Aye sounds like a hard man, but suppose there is a good intention." She can't fault a King for being protective. She'll not pry too far in, however. "Do you know anything about other kings and kingdoms?"

[Thorn Wyatt]

“There is not a harder man than my dad.”

Thorn shakes his head.

“We aren’t told about places outside our borders. Only that when it comes to it, we follow 259.”