Niernan glanced down at the pup trotting at his side, he felt a smile tugging at his lips; the boy was growing so fast. He knew that Teme was almost six months, only four days from being considered an adolescent and therefore somewhat responsible. He supposed that he'd have to be taught of the border procedures sooner or later, but Niernan didn't want to step on Sauls toes by doing so. Instead he felt that warning Teme of the dangers at the borders fell to him, as he had been present. He assumed that Temeraire was expecting it now anyway, after the way Nier had greeted the pup before their odd but brief meeting with the dark dog.
He stopped walking then, sighing and schooling his face into a sort of frown, he wasn't truly angry with the pup, only disappointed that he hadn't thought before blindly rushing ahead. At that thought he realised that he probably wasn't the best person to tell the boy not to rush blindly considering his childhood had been spent doing exactly that. He glanced behind him to make sure that there was a convenient boulder before sitting down, he didn't want to fall flat on his arse, certain that doing so would remove any credibility to what he was about to say. He was now closer to Teme's level and felt that he could get his message across to the boy more effectively.
He cleared his throat and proceeded Temeraire He started, the tone of his voice stern and telling the boy that this was no time for jokes and play. This must be strange for the boy, he thought, the black pup was used to the playful and somewhat ridiculous Uncle Niernan. I know you're growing up now but you cannot just go running off to the borders. You never know who is going to be there. He eyed Teme, trying to ascertain whether any of this was going in, What if I hadn't of turned up today? What if Toby had become violent? Or tried to capture you? How do you think your dad would feel if you got hurt? He said.
He felt himself softening, he knew he couldn't stay mad at the boy for long, and he was scaring himself by thinking of all the terrible things that could have happened to Teme. Not everyone's a good guy Teme. He sighed, his cyan eyes now softer than he had meant for them to be.
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