The autumn wind blew through the trees, rustling leaves as it went, and sending a shiver up Kallus' spine. The cold wind played with his silver hair and seemed to cut through to his bones. Winter would be coming soon. Emerging from the trees with his load of firewood, he saw the homestead with smoke curling from the stack and smiled to himself. Zeb was home, and hopefully, dinner was being prepared. The wind picked up again and he quickened his pace toward the door. He should've worn a jacket.
He elbowed the release for the door, shouted a greeting to Zeb, and set the split logs down by the fireplace, shivering as the cold left him. Brushing woodchips from his sweater he turned to Zeb.
."Welcome back. I hope training the new recruits went well today."
"As well as it could've gone," Grumbled Zeb. "I swear they getting younger every year."
Kallus chuckled. "I think we're just getting older."
"I think after this batch, I might retire."
"You said that five years ago. You're only seventy-eight, Zeb. You're not that old yet."
Zeb chose his words carefully "I just thought I could spend more time with you. You could use more help around here."
Kallus, sensing that this conversation could easily slip into a familiar argument, said nothing as he set the table and while Zeb brought over their dinner. They sat down to eat.
Kallus considered Zeb a moment longer. "I get on fine on my own. Besides, you love working with the recruits." He added with a slightly teasing tone, "And, I don't know what I'd do with a grumpy Lasat lurking around the homestead all day."
Zeb's ears went flat and he started to say something.
"If I need help, I'll hire one of the Oreno girls for when I strong pairs of hands around here. Mrs. Oreno was just telling me last week that they were looking work this winter."
Zeb nodded and conceded "I guess that settles it then," but he clearly wasn't happy about it as he stared at his plate.
Kallus reached his hand across the table to grab Zeb's, and Zeb raised his head to lock eyes with him.
"I'm sorry." Zeb said, "it's just that-
"Most of our other human friends my age are dead or close to it?"
Zeb nodded.
"I'm not going anywhere, Zeb." Kallus said, squeezing Zeb's paw.
"I'll hold you to that." The smiled at each other lovingly. Before Zeb pulled away to continue eating. "Your hand is freezing by the way."
"Some of us don't have the luxury of being cover in fur," replied Kallus returning to his meal.
"I know. That reminds me…"
He pulled out a pair of wool lined gloves from his pocket and placed them on the table between them. Kallus picked them astonished.
"How on earth did you find five-fingered gloves on Lira San?"
"I had them made. Special order." He began rambling and shrugged, reaching up to scratch behind his ear. "I meant to save them for the Winter's Eve, but with it being so cold out, I figured you could use them now."
"Thank you." He said, trying them on. "They're much better than my mittens."
"Don't mention it. Happy early Winter's Eve."
"Happy early Winter's Eve, Zeb."