Cedar sighed almost exasperatedly.  He did NOT like the ... Implications... of the girl's choice of words, and felt it needed immediate, but gentle correction.

"[color=7bcdc8]Hey naow...[/color]" he said softly, but slowly.  "[color=7bcdc8]Ain't nobody gunna be 'of use' 'roun' 'ere. I dunno w'at all's happen'd ta ya lil' miss-- But I only wants one thang from yas, and one thang only.[/color]"

He looked her square in the face, gentle, earnest, but dead serious.

"[color=7bcdc8]I want ya's ta be yaself-- Knows yaself-- [i]owns[/i] yaself-- [b][i]decides[/i][/b] fo' yaself-- and knows what yas likes, dislikes, and wan's fo' yaself. ... ... I kin tells this a big thang ta ask fer.  .. .. Dun wurry 'bout it.  I kin tells ya ain't ne'er done nut'n like at afore.  But I'l be aright---'ats w'at I wants, and all I wants from ya. Nuttin' else. [/color]"


He gently put a hand on her shoulder, and leaned toward her a little, then tilted his head a little to one side with a soft, but tender expression.

"[color=7bcdc8]In return, I'll help ya when'er ya needs it-- anyway ya needs it. I's'l teach ya hows ta care fer ya own self. Hows ta protect yaself. How ta treat odder peoples, and hows odder peoples is SUPPOSED ta treat ya. ANYTHANG ya need. Hell-- Ya can live with me if'n ya wanna-- I'd be happy ta have ya 'roun'. But the plan is fer ya to come ta unnerstan' and choose fer yaself, an' be yaself. I don' wan' nuttin' else from ya. Ya dun has ta gimme nuttin', ya don' has ta do nuttin' else fer me. I don' wan' it. I want yas to live a long, happy, an' fullfillin' life, makin' ya own choices, and doin' what makes *YA* happy.--- ... Unnerstan'?[/color]"

He smiled at her again, and once more the sparkles in his brown eyes glittered at her.

"[color=7bcdc8]Bein' free ta choose be da birthrigh' of E'ERY thinkin' bein', lil' lady.[/color]"

His head tipped down, and he chuckled.

"[color=7bcdc8]An 'at include you too.[/color]"


There was a long, pregnant pause.

"[color=7bcdc8]Naow-- What' ya name?[/color]"