Maria's moment of heart flutter was interrupted by a whirlwind of energy in the form of a ten-year-old girl named Katelyn who came barreling toward them.
"Vyan! Vyan!" she chirped, her voice bright and infectious. She skidded to a halt by the table, barely noticing the teapot wobbling from her abrupt stop. "What brings you here today? Why did you leave so quickly last time? I have been waiting forever ever since the last time. Do you know—"
"Katelyn," Vyan interrupted with a wry smile, trying to keep up with the rapid-fire questions. "One question at a time."
"You—" Katelyn noticed Maria, sitting elegantly across from Vyan with a gentle smile. Her eyes narrowed slightly before she recognized who she was, and she immediately went to hide behind Vyan, her hand tightly clutching the fabric over his bicep.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Vyan asked, his voice a blend of confusion and gentle curiosity.
