It was about as close as Faith had ever come to scolding Hookor. If the benevolent professor was actually capable of scolding. What it was, amounted to her setting him straight...putting things into perspective. He had never meant any offense, had never meant to lessen the horrendous hardship that slaves endured. No, his point was merely to pull together two things that share a common thread.
But perhaps that thread was so weak as to be either unseen, or too insignificant to matter. What right did Crook have to even place his own bullying memories in the same breath as the gut wrenching abomination that was slavery in Idalos. She had every right to call him on his paper thin whine. And then, in typical Faith fashion, she ended her admonishment with that warm smile, apologies, and perhaps a hint that she was somehow looking to him to carry things on.
Big shoes to fill? Giant sandals, more like it. How could he, a simple young student just starting out on life's journey, be expected to carry on her work. Now, now, Hookor, he could hear his father reprimand. Don't get ahead of yourself, he would surely say. And don't be so full of yourself as to think she means you, and only you, would be the heir to carry on her accomplishment.
"I miss you, Father." he said under his tongue, as Hookor looked about for another cluster of mint leaves. He did not find any immediately, but what he did find, made him nearly jump in excitement.
"There." he called. He immediately bent down, and picked a sprig of the plant.
"Foxglove!" he offered the name of the plant. "I read that it can, if properly manipulated, steady an unsteady heart." he was joyful at the find, and perhaps also a temporary change in subject. Hookor handed the foxglove to Faith, then leaned down to pick some more.
"You would see me continue your work here, when you go?" it was a question, but phrased with a tone that indicated that Hookor already knew the answer...
But perhaps that thread was so weak as to be either unseen, or too insignificant to matter. What right did Crook have to even place his own bullying memories in the same breath as the gut wrenching abomination that was slavery in Idalos. She had every right to call him on his paper thin whine. And then, in typical Faith fashion, she ended her admonishment with that warm smile, apologies, and perhaps a hint that she was somehow looking to him to carry things on.
Big shoes to fill? Giant sandals, more like it. How could he, a simple young student just starting out on life's journey, be expected to carry on her work. Now, now, Hookor, he could hear his father reprimand. Don't get ahead of yourself, he would surely say. And don't be so full of yourself as to think she means you, and only you, would be the heir to carry on her accomplishment.
"I miss you, Father." he said under his tongue, as Hookor looked about for another cluster of mint leaves. He did not find any immediately, but what he did find, made him nearly jump in excitement.
"There." he called. He immediately bent down, and picked a sprig of the plant.
"Foxglove!" he offered the name of the plant. "I read that it can, if properly manipulated, steady an unsteady heart." he was joyful at the find, and perhaps also a temporary change in subject. Hookor handed the foxglove to Faith, then leaned down to pick some more.
"You would see me continue your work here, when you go?" it was a question, but phrased with a tone that indicated that Hookor already knew the answer...
