They made quick work of it, and soon the room looked as it had when they arrived. She looked up at him, having changed into some clothes she had washed with his. “Ready?”
They approached the farm house, and she glanced back at him one last time before opening the door. There was a small family of five gathered at the table that all looked up when they entered. There was a boy who looked a little younger than Juniper. He had curly brown hair and that same complexion as June. He was setting a large serving bowl of porridge on the table, his brow furrowing in that same worried expression that June often had. The expression was so similiar that Zerras would be convinced that this was Finneas, June's brother. The next person was an even younger elf. She had brown curly hair as well that went down to the small of her back, and she looked up at the two of them, her dark blue eyes widening. This was Rosalind, June's excitable younger sister. After that was a small boy elf with golden blond hair, just like June's. He was already chewing on some toast timidly, squinting at the two of them sleepily as they entered. This had to be Miller, who Juniper had mentioned was very shy. In a high chair was a baby elven girl with that same blonde hair. She was half asleep, and had already finished a bowl of some type of porridge, evidenced the state of her hands. This was clearly Sage, the baby of the family. The final person in the room was a woman. She bore a striking resemblance to June, her golden blonde hair streaked with silver, but instead of June's warm brown eyes, hers were that dark blue that Zerras noticed in the second elf. She was beautiful, but maybe a little cold looking, and she glanced up as they entered. Her brow furrowed instantly and her gaze was unable to leave Zerras. The silence was broken by Rosalind getting up hurriedly. "June!" she exclaimed, coming forward and bringing her sister into a tight hug. Miller followed, adding onto the hug, and even Finneas approached, despite seeming more reserved than his younger siblings. The woman sat still, unable to take her eyes off Zerras.
Zerras looked nervous, he watched her as well, but for the most part seemed to avoid her gaze, his face set with a frown.
The general hubbub died down after a few minutes. June had evidently left a note before she left, explaining that she was going to do some sort of trading, but there was still an expression of affection from her siblings, especially Rosalind who seemed particularly effusive. Finally, the attention turned to Zerras and the others went quiet. Juniper looked back at him, taking his arm and gently pulling him forward. "This is my friend," she said gently. "His name is Z. We've made the negotiations for him to live in the guesthouse in exchange for helping me out with the crops." Juniper's mother looked over suddenly at her daughter. "You made negotiations?" she asked, her voice clear and cold. "Juniper..." "Yes, Mama," Juniper slid in, folding her hands in front of her. "I need help out in the fields. I can't do them by myself anymore. We've just expanded too much." "How will you pay him?" her mother replied sharply, tilting her head.
Zerras seemed very uncertain, his brows furrowing slightly as he glanced nervously at the family. "I don't need to be paid, ma'am. I'm just looking for somewhere to stay."
She looked over at Zerras. There was a fierce protectiveness in her gaze that would almost make Zerras laugh; he had seen that exact expression in Juniper. However, that protectiveness was wary of him here. He could tell from her body language that she was gently moving Sage behind her. "And why, pray tell, are you so down on your luck?"
"Demons are generally not so welcome in Anthyria," he said, a small frown on his face. "Many places turn us away."
"You're a demon?" Rosalind asked curiously. "Can I touch your horns?" "Mama, let's talk in the kitchen," Juniper said, gesturing. Her mother frowned before heading in.
They all stared back at him before Finneas spoke. “Would you like some oatmeal, Z?” he asked, pulling up an extra chair. Rosalind grinned at him. “Can I touch your horns?”
Zerras knelt down for Rosalind, tipping his head. "I'm okay. I'll wait for your sister before I have anything."
Rosalind patted his horns curiously, her eyes wide. "Are you and my sister married?" she asked, tilting her head, a playful gleam in her eyes. "Miller and I thought that maybe June went off and eloped with someone, and now she's brought you home." Finneas squinted at Rosalind before shepherding her back to her chair. "Rosy, eat your breakfast," he said, giving her some oatmeal and a slice of buttered toast, as well as pouring her a mug of tea. "Sorry, Z. She's a little... inquisitive." "What does inquisitive mean?" Miller piped up, his brows furrowed worriedly. "It means Finneas thinks I'm nosy," Rosalind replied. "But I'm not. I just am curious."
"Just friends?" she asked, her eyes lighting up curiously. Sage took this time to wake up fully, her large brown eyes looking around before settling on Zerras. She seemed very confused, sticking her thumb in her mouth nervously. Finneas frowned before coming over to her, replacing her thumb with a soft green binky and taking the time to clean off her face. Miller was also watching Zerras, his blue eyes thoughtful as he considered him. "Excuse me, Mr. Z," he piped up, sounding very nervous. "But do you mind... do you mind if I ask if you have wings?"
