"Plus if they have any social skills they'd be different ones."

What's being a kid like? What's taking care of a kid like?

"We're not allowed to do anything!" says a one year old. "And in spring people are ALL over you."

"Only little kids," says a three year old. "They don't care that much extra about bigger kids in spring."

"They won't stop making messes," says a four year old, slightly pointedly at one of the one year olds, "and screaming and kicking when they have to do anything they don't feel like and they like things being repeated over and over and over again which is developmentally important but so annoying."

Spring is really strong, huh. Winter is really strong for Draak. Hatchlings are allowed to do anything. It's just that some things will make them get hurt or die.

"We don't let kids get hurt and die," says a four year old.

I see that. It's very strange to me, but interesting. Do you disagree sometimes about what's best for kids?

"Sure, but getting hurt and dying isn't good for them."

Tail-wobble. I believe you! I more meant about repeating things, does everyone think that's important? And what's your school like?

"I don't think it's actually important for kids to repeat things -"

"It might be, they're doing research on that sort of thing."

"- okay, well, it's not obviously important, but they kick up a huge fuss if you don't let them watch Jellyfish Dance thirty times, or whatever."

Huh. I remember jumping out of this one tree and into a stream about a thousand times. Literally. 

He radiates a feeling like a smile.

What kind of things are fun?

"People like different stuff."

"Reading and playing games and sports and watching TV and stuff."

"Drawing! And cooking with my grandpa!"

"I like putting together Assemble furniture but that's weird."

Interesting. Maybe there should be Draak sports other than fighting and races.

What kind of things are you learning in school? You all have any questions for me?

"Are you going to help with planets?" asks a two year old.

"Or springs?" asks a four year old. "I think the planets ones are in Tapa, it's the springs ones who come to Baravi."

"Why don't you have other sports?" asks a three year old.

"I have to go to the bathroom," says a one year old, and the other three year old takes his hand and ushers him inside.

I'm here to learn Enkindling, that's the thing that can make gentle springs. It's very tricky music. Most sports need teams, right? We don't like doing things in teams most of the time.

"Skiing doesn't need teams."

"I don't think they can ski."

"You can do tossball one on one."

What are those like? Our manual dexterity works a lot differently, tossing things is hard, but it might give me ideas.

He slowly pulls one claw out from under himself, the wing extending out a fair bit, and slowly flexes his 'hand'.

No opposable thumbs.

"Maybe you want, uh, one on one netstick. You could tape the stick to your arm?"

That sounds just funny enough to try!

"I don't think we have any here."

That blue who hangs around us can probably find me one to borrow later. What do you learn here besides taking care of littler Amentans?

"General education stuff, and track-switchy background in case we go into nursing or something instead later."

"I want to RIDE you," announces one of the one year olds, while the other returns from the bathroom.

He goes completely still for a second, then puts his paw under himself again.

You might fall off. Do one-year-olds get carried around a lot?

"Yeah! My legs are little and I ride Mommy's shoulders."

He purrs quietly. (Carrying a kid is not really appealing at all, but he's here to see how kids tick so it's worth a try...)

Since you think it will be fun... You can try it for a little while. But don't touch the feathers on my head! 

"Are you sure?" asks a four year old.

"What happens if she touches the feathers on your head?" wonders a two year old.