It was no secret that Lilliana had her insecurities. With the voice inside her head having constantly been berating her pre-Ayen, to losing her father (the one thing in the world that understood her), then her mother, and then her brother, there seemed be no self esteem left in the world for the young girl. Being with Ayen helped, of course, as he could keep the voice at bay. But still remains are the doubts the plague the dark exceed demigod: not good enough, not strong enough, unwanted, alone. She loved Ayen as she would her biological father, completely and utterly devoted to that. Some nights she found herself wishing that she had been born to Ayen so that she didn't have the thoughts she did. Even though she knew that Ayen cared for her as his own, Lilliana also knew that he had done the same so many times to other children. She was no different. She was just some stray clinging for attention. She wasn't special to him, because she was just the same as the rest of them. And that was the thought that hurt the most. Ayen was more than special to the exceed, but deep down Lilliana knew that he didn't feel the same towards her. But, those were feelings she tried her hardest to keep locked away, in places even Ayen wouldn't be able to sense. She did try to focus on the positives as much as she could, to try and keep her own personal darkness at bay. Like the fact that she was living with her father Ayen and her brother Len, and they were about to have a fantastic meal. At Ayen's permission, Lilliana's eyes lit up with excitement as she took her bowl and ran to the table, her superhuman reflexes keeping her from spilling (though it was a bit of a close call in her haste). Hopping up on a chair, she sat herself upright before grabbing the nearest eating utensil and beginning to chow down.
Ayen's amusement at Lilliana and Len's actions never seemed to cease. Of course, that may be he's raised so many children, or even the fact that despite how many he'd cared for, no, still cares for, his caring is always genuine. Lilliana, still so young is always excited for Ayen's cooking. Yet, Len as already hit the beginning of puberty, which is different for Fae kind than humans. There's no awkward cocktail of pheromones, but the growth of the mind. and possible duality. Where he had been being playful earlier, Ayen now saw Len acting a proper prince as he retrieved his bowl and sat at the table. Len's actions gained something akin to a laugh from Ayen,but it was far more subtle, more of an exhale from his nose really. Len, of course, still being the young teen that he was, rolled his eyes at his father as he placed a napkin on his lap and grasped his soup spoon, careful not to let his elbows touch the table. At this point Ayen joined his children at the table with his own bowl, making what Len was doing look like wasted effort as he did it so casually, almost as if he was one-upping his own son. "So, how are you two's studies and ability training coming along?" Ayen asked nonchalantly as he started eating, his eyes looking between his son and daughter.
"Started channeling lightning a few days ago, as for studies, maybe it might be better if I start going to that school you teach at? I don't want to be culture shocked too badly when I start using my free time out of the woods." Len explained in a calm tone before staring at Lilliana, as if it was her turn to speak.