His eyes widened and he seemed intrigued. "Bigger horns?" he asked, tilting his head curiously. Finneas sighed, pulling over another chair for Zerras to sit at. "Mils, don't interrogate our guest," he chided gently, gesturing for Zerras to sit. "I'm sure he's very tired." Finneas turned to look at Zerras, wiping his hands on a cloth. "Did June show you the guesthouse?"
Sage was still staring at Zerras, but she started laughing deeply at Rosalind, who was making silly faces at her. Finneas sat down. The boy looked tired, and based on what Juniper had told him, Zerras would know that he had had to shoulder a lot of the responsibility after their father died. "So... where did you two meet?" Finneas asked, folding his hands politely.
"Are you sure you're not married?" Rosalind asked, leaning in conspiratorily. "You can tell us; we won't tell Mama."
"Are you dating?" she asked earnestly, tilting her head. "Is that why she wants you to be here? She's arguing with Mama; she never argues with Mama anymore."
He frowned slightly, looking into the kitchen. "We're just friends. I wouldn't want to cause any trouble."
"You're not causing trouble," Finneas said soothingly. For some reason, Zerras would feel calm in Finneas' presence. "You're allowed to look for work. Don't worry; June will convince Mama. Are you sure you won't have breakfast? They'll be in there for a while.
Sage looked over at Zerras curiously before beaming at him, extending her hands towards him with a bright smile. Rosalind looked up and stood, coming over to Sage with the toast in her mouth and picking up the baby. "She wants you to hold her," Rosalind informed him matter-of-factly.
Zerras looked unsure, folding his hands. "It's rude in demon culture to hold someone's child without the mother's permission."
Sage's face screwed up as if she were about to cry, and Rosalind laughed. "Well, you're talking to elves."
"Of course it is," she said, offering the baby to Zerras. Finneas frowned at her. "He clearly doesn't want to take Sage, Rosy. Leave him alone." Rosalind looked up at him with wide eyes.
Sage relaxed, looking up at him with warm brown eyes that would be incredibly familiar to him. She settled against him, sticking her thumb in her mouth.
Rosalind laughed deeply. "She likes you," she said eagerly. The door to the kitchen opened and Juniper emerged, tucking her hair behind her ear distractedly. Her mother did not come out. She looked up at Zerras and a strange expression crossed her face for a moment before she laughed. "What are you doing?"
