At the voice, Nivaar turned and grinned his goofy, lope-sided grin. "Kairel!" Scooping the child up, he lifted him onto his shoulders and then went back to work. A usual sight, as Nivaar was fond of children, "Aye, I saw it." He nodded, careful not to send Kairel tumbling over, "Lots of awesome For-Sand, eh? I hope so. I'm tired of cooking roots and dried meats. Would be nice to get some greens." He stood, keeping Kairel in place to check on his pack. He had to make sure he had everything he'd need for the trip. His pack consisted of tools, he had made, that would help in carefully harvesting water, plants, and animals for the return trip. Nivaar had learned this from his mother, who had been a skilled forager before the calamity. Some of the tools he had use to be hers.

After triple checking, Nivaar lifted Kairel off his shoulders and set him down. "I'll keep my eye open for something you might like, but you have to promise me something first." He held a hand out, lifting a pinkie. He chuckled at Kairel's confusion, "Link your pinkie with mine, we're making a Pinkie Swear."

"What's that?" The youth asked, despite linking his tiny finger with the larger one. "A Pinkie Swear is a swear you can never break. If you do, terrible things will happen."

"Like what?"

"I'll never talk to you again." Nivaar's words caused Kairel's eyes to widen as he shook his head rapidly, "I PROMISE, I PROMISE!"

"Good!" Nivaar laughed, "You have to promise me that you'll take care of everyone while I'm gone, ok? Make sure everyone eats." Kairel nodded, puffing up at the sudden responsibility. "I'll do it!"