Title: 025. Growth

Rating: G

Words: 201

A/N: Sabe hits a milestone we all go through. I'm sure it happens to trolls too.


Sorrel gently pulled back the corner of Sabe's mouth, inspecting the bloodied gum.

"Let me see that now."

With a lopsided grin, the boy opened his hand, proudly presenting a long piece of ivory to his mother. Sorrel smiled at the child as she took the tooth and turned it over in her hands.

Chetan walked up to the pair and hoisted the boy into his arms, rubbing the slightly sagging lip with one finger.

"Ya's growin' so fast dat yo' tusks decided ta just give up tryin' ta keep up and started ovah."

Sabe giggled, delighted at the acknowledgement, while Chetan took the shed tooth from Sorrel and inspected it carefully.

"Ya know, mon… troll mothers often wear deir young un's baby tusks on a string around deir necks."

"Really?" Sorrel perked up immediately. She was always fascinated when Chetan told her anything about his own culture.

"Yea. It be a mark of honor fo' females, showin' dey have added new warriors to da tribe." He looked up and hesitated, but finally offered: "When he loses da otha one too, I could make ya a string with dem."

She recognized the question in his eyes, and smiled. "I'd like that."