The World of Rhune

The boy’s words were quite but they caused Niko’s eyes to open and go wide at the sound of them. He looked up to see Robin openly acknowledging the boy. Few things seemed to phase her. While Niko was sitting their wide eyed, Robin had a grin and gave a small laugh.

“Do I really look so old as to be called by ‘mrs.,” Robin said, making a point not to look to directly at the boy. She learned when you didn’t really want to frighten others, it relieved them when you didn’t seem to focused. So she let her eyes wander. She glanced at the apple and shrugged. She raised her arm over her head, not looking. Pan relieved her of the apple and nuzzled her hand.

Robin brought her hands together in her lap and spoke, knowing the boy was still there, “Maybe I should smile more,” Now she glanced at Niko, “Granma was always saying, ‘Frowning makes you look too old, Sarah.’” Robin mimicked her voice and gave her a bit of an old, grump voice, but she smiled at the thought.

Niko smiled for a moment but it disappeared quickly. He was always put on edge by strangers. While Robin let her eyes wander, Niko had a hard time letting them leave the wall where the boy was hiding. Robin glanced over at Niko again. She couldn’t complain, she knew with most people she was constantly on guard. Little kids didn’t really bother her though. It wasn’t that she thought them harmless, because she knew she hadn’t been as a kid. She just always took to them more.

“You don’t have to be scared. We’re not going to do anything. If you wanted to look at the horses you still can,” Robin said, letting her eyes settle on the wall, waiting for an answer.