Nofafi was making his way back to Naice after spending his two weeks with his family. He was carrying a little more than he usually did, Zerrin and Jamie didn't take those blocks with them. Knowing them, they had probably failed to consider that Arc would want something to play with.
"I wonder if that kid is being properly fed." It was rather lonely on the road, even though it was one of the busiest highways on the peninsula. Nofafi had developed a habit of talking to himself to sort his worries. "Actually, Merri would take care of him. I worry for her. She takes on way too much work by herself."
"As for Zerrin, I wonder when he's gonna confess." Nofafi had been around that mansion long enough to tell their feelings for each other. Of course, he was of the mind that it should be Zerrin that brings it up in the first place. "He hints at needing advice sometimes, but he never asks outright. I wonder if I should just give it to him anyway."
Even Nofafi had been involved in Marlev's romantic scheming. She was adamant that nobody should outright force them together or to arrange anything for them anything without them asking first. She even wanted them to be asked specifically for advice in order to give it.
Nofafi had been around Marlev longer than everyone except for Jamie and Zerrin, and he thought of her as an older sister. It was her scheming that had even gotten him and Breda together, though it hadn't taken nearly as long as that dense pair.
"I know she wanted her brother to experience the joys of love firsthand without any interference, but at this point it should be clear that they need a push, right?" He got a bit of a look from a rare passerby on the highway, not that he noticed nor particularly cared. "Right?"
Marlev had always described her brother as 'bad with people' and 'a lovable hermit' due to his lack of a desire to socialize but feeling of comfort and security he gives of when he does get comfortable with someone. He knew that most of this was due to the nature of cultivation and his work, but he still felt it over the top. He didn't even go out for drinks or gatherings with those he worked with!
"I don't think a glass of wine or two with Kelvin and I counts for that, we are more like family."
Nofafi assured himself of his relationship with the two of them. He also saw Zerrin like an elder brother, but seeing as he knew his actual dad, he saw Kelvin as more of a cool uncle, though he was unsure of what Kelvin thought of him. He was sure it wasn't anything negative, though maybe nephew would be going a bit too far.
"I bet Breda is gonna be lonely..."
Despite how long they had lived in that village, he knew Breda still hadn't made many friends, if she had made any at all. He also knew that none of his kids were popular there either. Breda was a bit shy and a huge introvert. It had taken Marlev, who she viewed as her savior, almost two years of gentle scheming to get the two of them hitched. It was because of her coy demeanor he was certain that she had spent most of her time in the past hanging out with Marlev and Jamie, the only two people she knew.
Now that neither of them were there, there was a real possibility of her becoming depressed. She was just anti-social, it didn't mean she didn't want to socialize.
He was also deathly concerned about his sons' futures. While it couldn't exactly be described as backwater, the village was still a few days trip from the nearest city. Breda was doing a good job teaching them for now, but he feared that she might not be able to in the future. He really wanted them to get a better start in life than he had. All he had was luck.
"I should ask Kelvin and Zerrin if we can move into that mansion. I know there are more than just a few empty rooms, and I'm sure that Merri would be happy to have Breda as both a helper and as conversation. The boys would also be able to go to one of the schools or sects in Naice for teaching, as well as make some friends. I think we would also make nice cover for Arc as well."
Nofafi was busy convincing himself of his decision as he got strange looks from a passing carriage of people.
"I think I've decided. I'll ask for permission first, then get my family to move on up. For now though, I have to get there."
By this point Nofafi had finished replenishing his spent Xan, and he burst forth at in a sprint with more pep in his step than he had before.