The Lore Wain and Her Nephew Pt. 4

"What... What is THAT?" Ramger, as polite as he tried to be, simply couldn't muster any manners upon seeing a ridgerunner with Lore Wain Celeste. Not a lot was known about Ramger's hate for ridgerunners that surpassed the average Annerian but it was very well known that the hate existed. "This is... This is Zarabean." Celeste replied unapologetically. "He's my friend." Ramger looked as though he might die, "My lady, this is NOT okay. Get that thing out of here. If any of your subjects saw you with a creature as despicable-!" Celeste expression quickly changed from anxious to angry in a span of a few seconds. "Ramger, I know you were a treasured and valued royal advisor to my sister and other siblings but I'm not them. I'm a Lore Wain, I've traveled all over Anniera. I've met lots of different kinds of creatures and people to know which is which. And I most certainly know when someone is trustworthy or not." She took a step closer to Ramger, as if asserting authority, "You should know that I don't care about looks nearly as much as I care about is real. Zarabean is a real friend of mine and I will NOT allow you to treat him like a lowlife. Do I make myself clear?" Ramger was shocked to see Celeste, someone who was so well mannered, to snap at someone as important as himself. His shocked expression shifted to agitated but instead of responding angrily, he took a deep breath and responded with a, "Very well." Zarabean was hiding close behind Celeste's leg during her lecture to Ramger. His eyes were narrowed and eyeing the royal advisor suspiciously. Previous to this, Zarabean hardly ever made shifty eyes like other ridgerunners. The only time he ever had that expression was when he was face to face with someone he didn't trust. Ramger seemed more annoyed to see Zarabean's shifty gaze on him but he kept quiet, thinking anything might earn him another lecture. "So, I'm going to walk him out. I'll come back when I please." Celeste informed Ramger before walking off with Zarabean behind her. Ramger muttered upsettedly to himself before getting back to what he was doing. Celeste took Zarabean back to the hall and joined him beside the door from which he came in. Zarabean had not eaten his fruit yet but it was clear to Celeste he really wanted to because he had drool sitting in the corners of his mouth. "Zarabean, you can eat those, you know that right? I didn't mean to keep you from eating." Celeste appeared a bit amused but also appreciative for Zarabean's self-control. He looked up at Celeste as if verifying what she just told him. When Zarabean saw he had been given permission, he started eating the fruit as if he were starving. Celeste watched him eat but found she wasn't watching long. Zarabean was finished within seconds. "Did you eat enough?" Celeste asked with a little bit of a laugh. Zarabean looked contented as can be. He only nodded in response, still reminiscing on the flavor of the fruits he had just consumed. Celeste kneeled to Zarabean's height. "It's been good seeing you, my friend." She said before giving the ridgerunner a hug, almost forgetting Echo was there in the sling in front of her. Zarabean made sure that Echo wasn't smushed in the hug by only hugging Celeste back lightly. "There's a little one..." He muttered in the hug. "Ah, that's right." Celeste pulled away from the hug to look at Echo, who was still sleeping soundly. Zarabean looked curiously into the sling, as he had never seen a human infant before. He was intrigued to see Echo and his little features. Celeste looked back at Zarabean and saw his curiosity. She got an idea. "Zarabean, would you like to hold him?" Zarabean looked surprised as he shifted is gaze back to Celeste. "Zarabean... hold the baby??" His hands appeared to tense up into fists, looking unsure if he wanted to or not. Celeste nodded to him, "Yes, would you like to hold him?" She asked again, taking Echo out of the sling. Zarabean appeared anxious, "Zarabean is... He... He doesn't know..." "It's okay, Zarabean. I know you will take good care of him." Celeste gently held Echo out to Zarabean, hoping he would take him. Zarabean stared at Echo with a panic in his eyes before he carefully took him into his small ridgerunner arms. Celeste seemed pleased that her friend was holding her nephew correctly. "You're a natural, Bean." Zarabean stared at the baby stiffly in his arms, not daring to move a muscle. As if he could sense someone else was holding him, Echo slowly awoke and found the ridgerunner holding him. Zarabean bit his bottom lip, seeing those big blue innocent eyes staring up at him. Echo stared blankly at Zarabean a moment before bursting out laughing like he was being shown a funny face. Zarabean nearly jumped out of his skin but he kept a good hold on Echo so he didn't drop him. "It's... Celeste... It's making noise. Celeste... Celeste...." He clearly wanted to hand off the child back to his aunt, seeing that the infant was awake. Celeste held her arms out to retrieve Echo back. She couldn't help but laugh at Zarabean's surprised expression. Zarabean quickly but gently handed Echo back to Celeste, who placed Echo back in her sling. "The baby is... It's cute." Celeste cradled Echo gently in her sling, "His name is Echo." "A good name for him, Zarabean thinks..." Zarabean looked relieved to not have the child in his arms but also appeared happy to meet Echo. "I like Echo." "Me too, Zarabean..." Celeste smiled softly.