Elder Thomas took his new role as Council observer with characteristic grace and humor. "So I'm essentially a professional grandmother now," he joked when they returned to Nightshade. "Watching Luna grow and writing reports about her tantrums and achievements."
"Pretty much," Aria said with a smile. "Though I suspect the Council expects more detailed analysis than 'she was adorable today.'"
"Then they clearly don't understand the most important part of child development," Thomas replied, tickling Luna under her chin. The pup giggled and teleported into his arms, making him laugh. "See? Adorable."
The first month under observation was relatively peaceful. Luna continued developing at her accelerated pace, but nothing that seemed particularly alarming. She learned to say her first words,
