"Sometimes you have to act to protect yourself and the ones you love. Adults discourage children from fighting because they don't have the experience to know when it's necessary and when a problem can be resolved another way. But if the adults aren't protecting you, either, you have every right to do what you have to do." He shrugs and stirs the contents of the pot. "Could you hand me the milk, please?"

Already the stew is starting to smell good, between butter and oysters.