Balances

He knew that he forgot sometimes.

And now he had two travelling with them. And he snapped and fretted and scowled because he was afraid that he couldn't protect them. That he'd forget to protect them.

They were so fragile. So terribly mortal. Too much heat and they'd burn up; too little and they'd freeze. Too much water and they'd drown; too little and they'd dehydrate.

Too little knowledge of the universe to appreciate its dangers.

Too much confidence in assuming that they know best.

Too much curiosity, but that he could understand.

Except, of course, when he forgot.