I hated watching those children, princes of a land so distant to this one. They were so sure of their superiority, their beliefs that they were above the rest of us. Here, at Single Earth, I had been given the task of looking after those children – cubs I should say. Princes of the Mistari tribe, tiger shapeshifters.

I saw them as children, they saw themselves as warriors. They saw me as their caretaker, their servant.

It was an unsolvable situation, one that tested my patience and my willingness to help. I had taken this job, not simply because it had been assigned to me but because I had believed at the time that I would be helping those children, the cubs who had grown up in such a violent culture. Who had been taken from their home and their families, after their own tribe had been overthrown by another's. Those cubs had known nothing but violence and blood from such an early age and yet, they do not see themselves as unfortunate. In fact they see our own, more peaceful culture as something to be pitied. The cubs despised the fact that many could not defend themselves.

I looked up as the younger of the cubs approached me, Queen he was called. He couldn't be any older than three. Certainly the more innocent of the two, he believes wholly and completely in anything his brother says or does. The respect and admiration was clearly displayed. He trusts his brother with his life.

I watched the cub silently, curious as to his sudden interest in me, normally the cubs do not acknowledge me unless they desire something.

Queen set down the half eaten bowl of fruit I had given him for his meal, in front of me. Close enough to establish it was meant as a gift but far enough that he was distant enough to run if I attempted any harm. He didn't understand himself why he chose such a distance, it was simply more comfortable for him.

From the corner of my sight I could see the older cub, Jecht, watching. I couldn't see or sense any fear or distrust coming from him. I guess he trusted his servant to treat his brother well.

"You have not eaten," stated Queen in native tongue of Ha'Mistari, and Brother and I have eaten our fill. If you wish, you may have the remainder of the food." His family would have always had enough to eat, his father had been the king and as such had never been without the necessities many of his tribe had been forced to go without.

I smiled at the act of kindness, sad though it may be, he was not used to the idea that many here had enough, if nothing else, to state their hunger.

Contempt, Queen went back to his brother's side, and told him proudly how he had helped a commoner. Jecht, more aware of the world around him, did not tell him that the "commoner" was simply waiting until they had finished their meal before he had his own.

Both cubs shifted into their tiger forms once the conversation was over, and lay down under the warmth of the sunlight to rest.

I noticed how proud Queen had been to give up something of his own and give it to me. I noticed how Jecht had cared for Queen's joy too much to correct his false assumption. But mostly, I noticed how I had started to care for the cubs.

Looking after them was no longer a task but a privilege, as I allowed their warmth and innocence to touch me. Every action we take has some indirect effect on those around us. I was slowly starting to understand that.