The boy's furrowed brow glistened in the late summer's heat as he bent himself over the well and searched thirstily for a reflection. The sun glinted off the water's shimmering surface and he dropped a pail into it. It took a few seconds for it to reach the bottom.

"Long way's down…" He tugged at the rope in efforts to drag the bucket against the well's floor.

"Is something the matter, Lucian?"

The boy turned around in surprise and smiled wearily at the girl standing a few feet away, her hands clasped in front of her timidly.

"It's so low. I'm trying to bring up enough to at least sip on before I get back to work," Lucian explained kindly, letting his gaze wander back down to the bucket. It was half sunken, one of its sides exposed and partially dry. He felt his tongue swell against the roof of his mouth.

"I know," the girl said, quietly making her way beside him and glancing down, "I just barely filled a pail for mother. If it doesn't rain soon, we shall be facing another failed crop like last year,"

Lucian tugged at the bucket until it was in his gloved hands. He held it up to his mouth and greedily downed most of its contents. His eyes wandered down to the girl as he did so and he shyly stopped and pushed it towards her insistently.

"I'm sorry, you must be tired as well. Have some, Platina,"

She smiled and waved her hand lightly, stepping back, "Oh no no, it is fine. Drink it for yourself,"

He hesitated and then began drinking again. Tilting his head back, he struggled to down every drop.

"Good?" Platina's eyebrows lifted.

Lucian let the bucket fall to the ground and he wiped his mouth, cringing. "It's warm. The ground is practically blazing. The well holds no mercy for the workers,"

"Be sure not to exhaust yourself. A few of the men have already passed through our home, dehydrated, and were sent away," Platina offered, turning to leave the well, with Lucian falling into step with her, "We need all the strength that we have, out working. There is so much to be done…so little time to do it. Summer comes and goes so easily,"

"I'll be alright," Lucian nodded, pulling off his soiled gloves and wiping his hands against sides, "with my personal healer constantly giving me good advice and looking after me, what could possibly go wrong?" He brushed her shoulder with his own and smiled confidently at her.

"Oh Lucian!" she laughed softly, raising one pale, thin hand to her face and brushing a strand a loose hair back. She was secretly pleased.

"You just have to be sure to not exhaust yourself as well. I'm sure it's difficult scurrying around in the kitchen with the oven flaring like that," Lucian caught the amused look in her eyes and went on, "Don't make me seek words with your mother, about the way she makes you slave during hot mornings,"

Platina shook her head in mock exasperation and brushed the comment off, choosing to respond as she usually did, with slight humour and naivety. "But I like slaving during hot mornings," she grabbed playfully at his arm and he stopped to face her, laughing. "Besides, if I didn't, what would you have to praise each and every day, come break-time? You like my fresh bread the best!" She poked a small finger at his chest, accusingly, and smiled slyly.

"You think so? Maybe I just won't-"

"You, Miss! Come over here right now!"

Lucian straightened up and felt a wave of disheartenment wash over him as Platina's eyes clouded over. She bowed her head, her hands falling straight to her sides as she brushed past him, calling, "I'm here, Mother!" Lucian remained with his back to her as he heard Platina hurriedly explain her tardiness to her parent, who was in no mood to accept any sort of explanation.

"How many times will I have to get it through that skull of yours! When you are done cleaning up your mess you aren't to wander off occupying worthless, little freeloaders like that one…!" The words trailed on and on until the two were out of range and Lucian was left standing alone.

He took a deep breath and walked back to the well.