It was months and months later. She found herself seated before a large fire place. Zamiel asleep within her arms. She had been reading the youngster a story until he had succumbed to slumber. Placing her chin atop his messy tresses, the girl closed her eyes.
"A tale of two cities. Interesting." Glancing to the side, she stared at the imagery of one of the fellow children. He was an odd boy. But weren't they all?
He offered her a blank expression, sitting upright, his knees pressed against his chest. Hands curved over the rolls of his knees. Reaching outward, he uplifted the book with his thumb and index finger. Studying the item, he found himself opening it to the last marked section.
"The guillotine." The boy stated, looking to the side once more. Aaldark blinked. "Yes."
"Do you not think it is too violent for the little one, there?" He pointed with his pinky at her sibling. Whom seemed extremely content against her, suckling on his thumb. "He is old enough to understand." She stated curtly. "Is that so?" The boy placed the book down neatly, thumb soon coming to rub against his bottom lip.
"You are the one they call Al, aren't you?"
The girl continued staring at him in that dull manner. He returned her empty expression. "Yes." She broke away and aligned her oculars upon the fire before them. A hand running lightly within the tresses of Zamiel. He moved just slightly, yawned, then settled.
"You are from Germany. Bavaria, correct?"
She merely grunted in response.
"Are you fluent in your home's language?"
Looking to the side, Aaldark stared and stared. Then responded. "Yes."
The boy seemed slightly amused. She could tell by the manner he nibbled upon his thumb. Eyes remaining wide and receptive. "If that is so, can you teach me?" The girl seemed at a loss for how to respond. Averting her gaze, she found her hand had halted it's affectionate ministrations, atop the skull of her sibling. Yet he seemed unconcerned.
"Perhaps." She cocked her jaw to the side.
"Then, my name is L."
