Zhi fell back onto her butt as Lalataru drew closer and once more squeezed her knees in to her chest. "Lolotaru, aye? They says. . .they says you know what it's. . .it has t'be you. I can't -- I don't want ta -- " her face crumpled, and she stared down at her knees. "So please -- I can cook some, clean some, be useful somehow -- I m-mean, I'm a quick learner, see? B-but I'm tireda bein' -- I don't wanna be no -- and you, ya'd unnerstand, right? Gotta be you, so. . .so please. . .please lemme be yer 'prentice." Her voice shrank as she spoke, until she was whispering her plea to her knees. Her eyes welled up, and she blinked rapidly to clear them. Her knuckles were white, she was clutching her tail so hard.
She didn't dare look up at Lalataru.
She didn't dare look up at Lalataru.
