milliways_bar | (no subject)

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Shufti is in the bar, by the fire, knitting a little bobble hat. The ball of wool rests on her heavily pregnant belly.

And there's a crossbow resting on her belt as always, just in case that demon she's heard about should show up.

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"Wow. It must be amazing going so high."

"Hm. I guess so. I can never afford daytime flights, so I usually sleep all the way." And Knox realizes that he is really, really jaded. But what can you do?

"It takes less than a day? That must be very fast."

"Some planes can travel faster than the speed of sound.

"Which is about 700 miles per hour.

"And do you know what a mile is?" Frame of reference is everything. Whihc sort of means Knox have very little in this conversation.

"I think so. A long way."

"You know, there is a lot you don't know. Things that you should know. But I am a lousy teacher. Maybe we should get you some books. Books about Earth, or science. Maybe some math as well."

She fidgets a little.

"I'm not a very good reader. It takes me about an hour to get through each page of that parenting book."

Knox thinks for a moment.

"I hate to suggest this, since you certainly don't seem stupid. But there are books for children that you could try. They're simpler, and once you get through those, maybe you'll be ready for other things. Including the parenting book."

She nods.

"Bar lent me one. It's called 'Where's my cow.'"

"I didn't know the Bar could lend books. Not that this surprises me. What's it about?"

"It's about a man who's lost a cow. And there are other animals that look a bit like it."

"Ah. A storybook. I guess that's a good place to start. But we can get you more useful books. And that way, you can be curious about Earth, and I don't have to make up answers." Knox gives his favorite smirk.

She smiles and goes a little red.

"Sorry, I ask to many questions."

Knox smiles. "There is no such thing as 'too many questions.' OK, maybe you can ask the wrong ones, but my whole life depends on always asking the right ones. And on not being afraid to ask.

"Just sometimes, you need to ask the right person. But if you are going to get an education, you can't let me stop you." Knox has never regretted not going to college. But he does wish he could help more with things he never learned.

She smiles.

"Thanks."

An awkward stretch. "I'm getting a little sore and stiff, so I think I'll go have a nice warm bath. See you later."

"Take care, kid."

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