"It's weird to see where he grew up though," she said, looking over at him with a cheeky grin. "For someone who played in those woods growing up, he sure does like cities."
"I suppose," Poppy said with a light laugh. "He talks about them a lot, so that's definitely part of it."
She shifted slightly, and Francis would be able to tell that she was a little uncomfortable, as she always was when people asked about her childhood. She played it off well though. "Oh, I grew up in Alben," she said. "It's a small town in the countryside; not many people have heard of it."
She squeezed back, trying to indicate that she was okay. "It is," she said agreeably. "A little quiet. But lovely. Although, perhaps I'm biased."
"I think so," she said, looking to Francis for confirmation. "We have to get back to work, unfortunately."
Her eyebrows furrowed. "Well, I was going to make pancakes, but I can't quite recall how," she said. Francis turned to Poppy. "I'm going to go to the other room, okay?"
