Merlin hmphed, a sound that could've been amused or annoyed or wry or all three. Dramatic lad, wasn't he? Merlin didn't remember being a child but he'd mentored a few in his time. Teenagers were terribly emotional.
"Yes well, you're not. Better a boy than a dog though, I think." He puffed on his pipe, and then lightly popped his lips to blow a smoke ring, which drifted lazily upwards. He wondered, if he stayed quiet, would Kaden say anything? Some people talked just to fill a silence. Merlin was a talker, but he knew when to hold his tongue. He was watching Kaden closely, although he didn't look like he was.