“Hey, Tan.”

“Yeah, buddy?”

“What did you tell Professor Calfenowe about me?”

“Huh? Ah. I said you’re fine, just doing normal Water things.”

“So, I can stay in the Tournament for sure?”

“Yeah? I’d say it’s pretty much secur – Wait.” He leaned closer to the child. “Don’t tell me you’re gonna start making a mess now that you got your place?” Ladd shook his head, both grinning and protesting. “I won’t! I won’t. I was just wondering.”

“I guess that means the invitations can finally go out, then?” Linette slipped onto the table with grace. Both boys stared at her. “I mean, my mom said they’re delayed. Wasn’t it because of the line up?”

Tristan tilted his head. “That makes sense.”

“Really? But my director already got invited.” It was Ladd’s turn to be stared at. “What?”

“Who is your director?” Tristan asked.

“From the orphanage.”

“Oh...” Linette swung her legs. “Is she coming to watch?”

“I don’t know...” Ladd pursed his lips, blushing.

Tristan grinned, then lay backwards. “What about Director Bathory?” He nudged Linette’s back. “Your dad planning to show up?”

“Hm, maybe? I don’t know if he’ll have time...” and now she was blushing. The kids are cute, Tristan thought. Ladd swiveled sideways. “What about you? Do you have parents? Someone coming to watch.”

Tristan snorted. “Yeah. I’m just not being a baby about it like you two are.”

“Hey!” Ladd jabbed a finger on his cheek. Tristan started shaking to restrain his laughter. Ladd’s touch intensified. “Hey.”

“What.”

“I want earrings.”

“Yeah, you like these?” Linette whipped her head around to see what they were talking about.

“Hm, they’re okay.”

“I have nicer ones. Want me to pierce your ears?”

“Tristan!” He inored her warning glare.

“Does it hurt?”

“Nah, I can numb it.”

“Really?”

“Tristan, you need to get his guardian’s permission for that!”

He swatted a hand lazily in the air.

“I’m sure they’ll let.”

“Yeah, I want.”

“Ladd, you’re only eight.”

He ignored her, too. “They’ll look good on me, right?”

Tristan twisted his head to the side. “Hm... I dunno, your face is a little young. It might... eh.”

“But at least I’m good-looking. So, I should at least look better than you, no?”

“Hey, what?” Tristan swiped a hand over his belly, preparing to sit up. But then again, he was feeling lazy. His hand rested there. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’m cute.”

“Yeah, and...?” He scoffed. “Hey, I’m- I’m not bad, okay?”

“No?”

Tristan’s mouth fell open. He rolled his body upwards. “I am hot, okay? Girls like me.”

“They do?” Ladd faced Linette, who had her finger up and ready to stop him. She froze. And paled.

“Uh...”

Tristan put his face in his hand, slumped forward.

“You’re so mean. It’s just a little acne. It’ll go away.”

“I don’t think it’s the acne, Tan.”

Tristan’s eyes pleaded with Linette. She felt a bead of sweat roll down the back of her neck.

“It’s just him. He’s spoiled. Everyone he knows is super pretty, so he thinks that’s average.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Right?” She looked at Ladd. “You grew up with that guy, Kyle, too.”

“Yeah. You and Kyle are really pretty.” Ladd nodded seriously.

Tristan raised an eyebrow. “Who’s prettier.”

“Lin.” He didn’t even pause to blink. A small smile crept up on her lips.

“But you like him better, right?”

“Hm?” Ladd scrunched his nose. “Well.” He pursed his lips in thought. “Kyle is... like... family to me.”

“Uh huh.” Tristan leaned back.

“But...”

“But what, buddy?”

“Kyle is family, and Lin... could... be...”

“Did you wanna be family with Linette, too?”

“Huh? What, me?”

Tristan nodded his head in the kid’s direction. Ladd was scratching his temple and tugging on his hair.

“Just ‘cause... everyone is saying...” Ladd mumbled, pulling hair in front of his face. He looked down at his lap.

“...What about it?” Linette wondered why her heart was trembling. I mean, sure, he was a good friend. A nice kid. But family?

“I just... thought, like,” He twiddled his fingers. “Maybe if it was true, that I’m...”

“My cousin?”

“Yeah.”

“You should get tested. See if your genes match anyone in the Tribe,” Tristan offered. Ladd chewed the inside of his cheek. “There’s no other way to explain how powerful you are.”

“Well, there is the Professor. He’s not –”

“Oh, that’s true.”

“No, it’s not that.” Ladd lay his hands flat, palms-down on his lap.

“What?” Linette leaned closer.

“I don’t care if I’m part of a Tribe or not. I just thought it would be cool to have a family.”

“Then?” Tristan tilted his head the other way.

“There are too many families in the Tree Tribe. So, if I’m related to someone else... well. I mean. I don’t want that.”

“Why? I’m sure you’ll like them.” Linette reached for his hand.

“Can’t you adopt me instead?” Ladd pouted suddenly, and Linette stuttered.

“Ladd...”

“Buddy, what?”

Linette squeezed Ladd’s hand. “I’m a kid, too. And I... hm.” She frowned, staring at their clasped hands. “I don’t know... that sounds like a big ask.” She pulled him closer and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. Tristan slid backwards, out of their way. “You really wanna be my family?”

Ladd nodded into her shoulder. She patted his back.

“How about you come over during break? At least meet everyone before you make those kinds of wishes.”

Ladd’s eyes shone glossy.

“I can come over?”

“Yeah, I’ll tell my mom.” Linette let go and hopped off the table. “She’s gonna come watch, so we should impress her.” She dragged Ladd off the table. “Come on. Your turn.”

“Oh? Are we back at it?” Tristan scooched forward and gripped the edge of the table.

Ladd hesitated, resisting Linette’s pull. “Are you sure it will be okay?”

“To meet my mom?”

“No, I mean to practice. How do I do it without hurting you?”

Linette released him and scratched her forehead. “Maybe only a little. I’ll ask someone tomorrow.”

“Okay. A little, then.” Ladd took a deep breath and connected.

Come on out, Water.

* * *

When the two could muster no more, forty minutes later, Tristan slumped back onto a chair he had unfolded.

“We’re calling it quits for today, right? Please say yes.”

The Level 2 Water mages nodded, slowly getting up from the floor.

“Geez, I was getting worried I wouldn’t be able to keep up.”

“You need to get stronger, Tan.”

“Cheeky kid. Go on, get out of here. I’ll lock up.” He waved a hand to dismiss them. “Man, I need a minute.”

Ladd and Linette exited. Ladd dragged on her arm as they turned outside.

“Hey.”

“What.” She leaned into his pull, checking her aggression.

“Is Tristan hot?”

Linette glanced toward the door they just left, then back at Ladd. Her lips were curled apart.

She shook her head.

“I thought so.”

“His figure is fine, but t it’s hard to get past that face.”

“Is it because of his pimples?”

She shook her head again.

He sighed, in obvious pity, which sounded offensively out of place from his tiny self.

Linette giggled.