Snowflakes fell on his deep green scales, a sensation no Argonian ever felt in Black Marsh. Snow was strange, alien and yet somewhat refreshing even in the freezing cold. His ebony armour had a soft sheen in the dull light of the Northern City

"W...Would-" Sounded a small stuttering voice.

Boa'Zhi frowned his large smooth brow ridges and gazed over to the entrance of the Grey Quarter of Windhelm. Through the snowflakes he saw a little Nord girl approaching passers-by to offer them flowers from the small wicker basket resting on her arm for the price of only one coin. She glanced over to the large lizardman curiously before darting her frightened eyes away.

"Would you like to buy a flower?" The little girl in red asked a passing Nord and then a Dunmer. Both did nothing but look at the girl before walking off in their separate ways.

The Argonian walked along the street and before he could reason himself not to he'd found his way towards the little girl. "Are those flowers?" He asked as friendly as he could, suddenly more aware of the husky quality of his voice. The girl stared up at the lizardman, her eyes wide.

"Y... Yes..."

"May I buy one?"

The girl nodded.

She offered him a bright red mountain flower, in a similar colour to the long red feathers folded back on his head or the red dashes either side of his green scaled face.

Delicately he took the flower in his gauntleted hands and tucked it into his chest plate. He knew how odd he looked and he dared anyone to remark on it. Any slight on the large Argonian and he'd make them regret it.

Kindly he returned his attention to the small Nord child as she opened her mouth to speak. "You're a lot nicer than they say Argonians are." She commented, her eyes a little brighter once she received the one piece of gold in return for the flower.
He gazed down at the flower then back to the girl. "...Thank you."
"But you do look a little funny." She giggled, pointing at the flower sticking out of his armour.
He smiled, his sharp lizard teeth showing as he cocked his head to one side.
"I better go." She smiled and gave a little wave before sauntering off.
The Argonian nodded in return and made his way down the street.

"... I can't believe she just sells flowers."
"Poor child, she doesn't have a family any more."

Boa'Zhi listened to the passing conversation of two Nord women further down the street, gazing at the little girl who'd given him the flower.

He gave out a saddened sigh as he turned back to gaze at the tiny blond Nord child. He coudn't, could he?

Gingerly he approached the girl, and asked her a question that he knew he'd get a 'no' in reply.

"My Love, are you sure about this?"

Boa'Zhi hadn't expected Sofie to say yes to him adopting her. But here he was at his home in Whiterun with a daughter swinging her legs while eating at the dinner table and a husband frowning at him where he stood near the door.
Derkeethus had gotten on with Sofie better than he'd expected, but as always his husband was worried about all those little things that Boa'Zhi had never considered.

"I thought you liked her."

"I do. But what do we know about raising a Nord child?"

"Children will always be children."

Derkeethus gave out a throaty laugh before shaking his head and returning to Sofie to see if she needed anything.

Boa'Zhi gazed upon his new little family. This would be worth hanging up his armour. This was a family, something he'd never had. Maybe this was a good end for the old warrior.