She halted at her father's anger, brow furrowed as she looked up and into his face- for though she was a tall girl, he was taller. His harsh words surprised her, not for getting into trouble or wandering where she shouldn't. That was certainly no surprise to either of them. But she'd always thought his temper evenly matched to the situation...and now felt slightly skewed. Delphine moved to put the cauldron onto the hook over the fire as he continued on, her expression of one chastened. For though she had every intention of wandering where she pleased again, her regret at his worry and upset over it was genuine.<br/><br/>Her hands stopped moving, her father nearly sobbed with news her uncle was taken. It was all she could do to squeeze the pot's handle, her knuckles gone white. Her father wept, and if he wept, it seemed certain in her world that things were at their absolute worst. Delphine strode across the room, dinner and the empty cauldron forgotten. Reaching out, she gathered her fathers head and shoulders into her arms, cradling him as he had so often her in years past.<br/><br/>"We will find a way to get him back, father. You know we will. Please don't be afraid."<br/><br/>Her eyes cast down, she almost didn't see the newcomer, his entry silent and her focus elsewhere. But she happened to look up after a moment, to lock eyes with the hunched figure. She nudged her father, speaking softly,<br/><br/>"Father, look."