Celebration and Ceremony

~Chapter 197~

With dinner finished, leftovers stowed, and dishes put away, Jasper headed upstairs to continue studying, enthusiastic about the ideas Kina had given to him, while Mae, Baas, Kina and Nimaro retired to the living room to enjoy another round of drinks before the ceremony was to begin.

"I have to admit, I'm impressed," Baas remarked, hoisting his glass in a friendly manner towards Kina. "I figured of all of us, Jasper would be the hardest to win over. Instead, you seem to have quite the way with him."

"He's smart. That makes it easy. When I speak, he listens, and better yet, he understands. He also prefers to forgo the conversation portion of most interactions. He wants to know something and he asks. When it comes to work, I happen to appreciate that. If he stays his current course, he has a bright future ahead of him. Even now, at such a young age, he is on the cusp of something great."