The Nine Marauders

Ning felt a little awkward talking about children. Not that he was awkward about having some, but rather because he had never even given it a thought.

For some reason, he still thought of himself as a young man, rather than someone who had lived for hundreds of thousands of years.

"What? Do you not want kids?" Ely asked. "It is alright if you don't want to, but I just… never mind."

"No, no," Ning said quickly. "I'm not against the idea of having some kids, but not right now. I don't want to have kids, only to watch them grow old before I get to spend some time with them."

"There is something I still have to do which will make me feel more secure to have kids, and then I will think about it," he said.

"Alright, it's settled then," Ely said. "So, what is this thing you have to do?"

"Hmm… I wonder if I should tell you," Ning thought slightly. 

"Why not?" Ely asked.