The Upside Down (For Eluuna)

"He feels badly for me, I think," she whispered. "I think he thinks I'm stupid."

 

"I'm pretty sure," she said, eyeing Zad thoughtfully. "Think about it. When you see a puppy on the streets, you think, 'I need to protect that. It doesn't know any better.'"

 

"I don't exactly think the puppy on the street has a dazzling intellect!"

 

"'We'?"

 

She squinted at him.

"I'm going to be the puppy. Back down."

 

She turned to Zad.

"Zaddy, can we plant a flower on your head?"

 

"Zad," she said seriously, tilting her head. "It would help me develop my skills if I could grow a flower on your head."

 

Addie turned to Warner, a glint in her eye.

 

"Warner," she said sweetly. "My sweet friend. You'll let me plant a flower on your head, won't you?"

 

She frowned, looking at him earnestly.

"C'mon, Warner. Please?"