85th Day
Winter
513 AV
Winter
513 AV
"How old is he?"
"Almost a season," Hadyn replied as Liam grabbed hold of the blonde's finger. The young vendor giggled and the baby did the same, bringing a smile to the brunette's lips. The girl must've been fifteen, her thin body barely clothed at all despite the snow on the ground. She was a member of a acrobatics troupe set up in the Theater. Her family prepared for another show behind her but the girl, delighted to see a baby, approached Hadyn and her son.
"I used to take care of my sister when she was a babe," the youth explained, waving her free hand in the direction of another blonde child practicing cartwheels. "But she's grown."
"She's talented," the weaponsmith remarked, watching the girl land from a flip. Returning her attention to the hazel eyed teen the woman grinned. "He likes you."
Liam was waving her finger up and down, delighting in the movement with squeals and chirps. Once he finished tossing her arm he began drawing the finger to his mouth. The girl squeaked and tried to pull her appendage away as the boy put muscle into the task. Hadyn assisted with her free hand, prying his finger from around the girl's and setting her free. She giggled again and patted the baby on his capped head.
"Can't have that," she informed him before looking at Hadyn with an apologetic shrug. "Sorry there's not much happenin' right now."
"That's alright," the brunette replied with another smile, readjusting Liam in her arms. "How long are you here?"
"Ridin' out the winter. Papa says we're off to Zeltiva at the first sign of spring."
Hadyn nodded, looking over the girl's head at her family. The Theater saw the acrobats and few other performers, the cold and snow issuing only a few patrons of the arts forth. For their part Hadyn and Liam were bundled warmly against the weather, contrasting starkly against the girl's thin costume. Both mother and child sported knit wool hats, the baby wrapped in brown and blue garments. Hadyn wore an extra skirt and boots, their dark hue matching the long coat over a grey blouse. The ivory scarf wrapped several times around her neck, making it a warmer place for Liam to snuggle when he tired.
"His eyes are so blue."
"Hmm?" the woman returned her gaze to the girl who staring at Liam. The teen didn't seem to notice Hadyn's momentary distraction, she was too busy making faces at the infant as he giggled. It took a moment for the brunette to process the girl's comment but she nodded. "Yeah. His dad's eyes."
The girl looked like she wanted to say something else but was called sharply by a motherly voice behind her. Glancing once over her shoulder the blonde sighed. Turning back to Liam she gave him another silly face before running a hand across his hatted head. Looking at Hadyn she smiled.
"I'll be off. Enjoy your day, miss."
"Thank you," Hadyn called after her as she made haste to her family. Standing alone on the floor of the Theater the woman let her gaze wander. After a moment she pulled Liam close to her to place a hand on the back of his head, kissing his forehead as he sat quietly.
"A lady-killer. Like your father," she murmured to him.
