Post by Subtleknifewielder on Aug 3, 2024 21:57:33 GMT
Dinner was a mostly normal affair, he was pleased to note, which meant that very possibly he was worrying over nothing at all. But he still planned to have that talk after dinner. He was even pleased to sit down as close as possible to the middle of the group of kids who had raised their hands, listening to them chatter about their time since the last time he had come here, and what they planned to do today.
And to all appearances he was completely absorbed in all that, but time onstage had taught him to be keenly aware of his surroundings, and that included being able to focus on several things at once, and some of them things others thought for sure he wouldn't notice. Those skills were what allowed him to pick up snippets of the boys' conversation, which ratcheted his worry up again. Even if it wasn't stealing, whatever they were up to sounded like it was a bit of a risk. Yes, he was going to talk with them after breakfast.
But he would wait until it looked like those two were about done, before excusing himself from the group around him. He didn't have to feign a yawn, he was a bit tired, but he hammed it up a little, making it seem like he might drop to the floor and nap right there soon. "Sorry kids, I need a bit of shut-eye if I want to be awake for work tonight," he said, sounding quite apologetic about it, and this was another thing he didn't have to feign, he wished he could stay longer, watch more of their lives, but, he did have to work to help provide for the place. "Everyone try to help Mother Bellona out a little around the place, ok? She does a lot around here, it's a wonder she doesn't sleep more." He was only half joking, and she might be able to tell even through the wink he threw her way--he really wasn't sure how she did it all mostly by herself, but, he greatly respected her for her dedication to the children that saw her through it.
After giving them that tiny little talk, he made for the exit to the kitchen to do what little he currently could to lessen her workload himself by rinsing out the dishes he'd used, including the knives he'd used to peel and chop the fruit. But more importantly, he would linger just out of sight so that he could listen for when those two older boys left the mess hall and hopefully catch them before they got too far into the mischief they had planned.
And to all appearances he was completely absorbed in all that, but time onstage had taught him to be keenly aware of his surroundings, and that included being able to focus on several things at once, and some of them things others thought for sure he wouldn't notice. Those skills were what allowed him to pick up snippets of the boys' conversation, which ratcheted his worry up again. Even if it wasn't stealing, whatever they were up to sounded like it was a bit of a risk. Yes, he was going to talk with them after breakfast.
But he would wait until it looked like those two were about done, before excusing himself from the group around him. He didn't have to feign a yawn, he was a bit tired, but he hammed it up a little, making it seem like he might drop to the floor and nap right there soon. "Sorry kids, I need a bit of shut-eye if I want to be awake for work tonight," he said, sounding quite apologetic about it, and this was another thing he didn't have to feign, he wished he could stay longer, watch more of their lives, but, he did have to work to help provide for the place. "Everyone try to help Mother Bellona out a little around the place, ok? She does a lot around here, it's a wonder she doesn't sleep more." He was only half joking, and she might be able to tell even through the wink he threw her way--he really wasn't sure how she did it all mostly by herself, but, he greatly respected her for her dedication to the children that saw her through it.
After giving them that tiny little talk, he made for the exit to the kitchen to do what little he currently could to lessen her workload himself by rinsing out the dishes he'd used, including the knives he'd used to peel and chop the fruit. But more importantly, he would linger just out of sight so that he could listen for when those two older boys left the mess hall and hopefully catch them before they got too far into the mischief they had planned.
