Makani grinned. "My boys are four and two--ah, the twins are both two, roughly speaking, I mean," he said. "Like I said, a bit too old to borrow, but they're still cute?"
There was a hint of something in his voice as he said it--or maybe just some flicker of micro-expression in his eyes. It had been a while since he had seen them. Not that it particularly mattered; they received no shortage of loving or cherishing among their families, and they barely even recognized him. Two different mothers, two different accidents, two different attempts at a relationship. It was...rough. Of course children were a blessing, but they were also extra work he hadn't meant to burden those women with--because as it turned out, he couldn't stick around to help. Village life didn't suit him.
And yet, the selfish part of him was hoping one of those boys would have some talent for this that he could pass on. Then again, perhaps with Kiri here apprenticing under him, he might not even have to worry about that if things worked out.
It was a busy life, and a bit lonely. Primal magic and blood magic was one thing. But some viewed his craft as too dark.
"It does get rather busy, especially at certain parts of the year. A bad flu rolls through the village, for example, and you're getting zero rest. Even worse if you happen to catch it, too. Still, the work must get done, and that's only an extreme example. People come for everything. Fertility help, a broken bone, an infection, hair loss, you name it. Everyone needs something." He fluffed his wings. "And as it turns out, I was born to serve."
