Ideas to Grow on #3: A Story of Trust

Behind him, Toa Ceradin heard a noise coming from a pile of metal. It sounded like a child, calling for help. He quickly ran over, grabbed the debris and tore it away, revealing an Okotan villager. He was very young, no younger than four.
The child stared at Ceradin, clearly frozen in fright. Rightfully so, thought Ceradin. He would, too, if he were buried under tons of rubble and suddenly be excavated by a stranger in shadow. Ceradin had never had any children, nor was he around them often, so naturally he was speechless. He did not know how to comfort the boy.

After thinking about what to do in a situation like this, he found that it made good sense to slowly kneel down next to the boy and not make any sudden moves. “It's alright, child,” he started to say, slowly extending his hand toward the child.
But the boy inched away from it, seeming more afraid.

Ceradin noticed the boy was staring at his mask. He was clearly afraid of it. Ceradin then remembered that his mask, in particular, looked quite imposing.
“Oh, this?” Ceradin asked quietly, slowly moving his hand towards his mask. The boy nodded ever so slightly. Ceradin smiled a little from behind his mask. Well, he thought jokingly, now I know he understands what I'm saying.

“Oh, do not be frightened, child,” he said softly. “It's just a mask… see?” Ceradin slowly brought both of his hands to his mask, took a deep breath and lifted it from his face. It took immense effort not to make any sudden moves and collapse. He looked up at the boy, who looked a little less scared.
The child moved a little closer to the Toa and curiously touched his face. Ceradin smiled slightly. “You see?” he said, trying hard to sound like being maskless wasn't bothering him at all. “Just a mask.”

“M… mask?” the child whispered.
“Yes,” Ceradin replied calmly. “It's just a mask.”
The young boy touched the edges of his own mask, then felt Ceradin's face again. Ceradin closed his eyes patiently as the child ran his fingers down the Toa's cheek, then felt his own mask in the same place. “Who… who are you?” the boy asked, fascinated. There was not a trace of fear in his eyes anymore.
“My name is Ceradin,” the Toa said gently, trying to keep his voice from quivering of mask-loss. “I am a Toa.”
“See-rah-dun?” repeated the child. “Toe-wah?”
“Yes, I am a Toa. May I ask your name, child?”
The child looked puzzled, then his eyes lit up. He pointed at himself and said, “Aryal, that's me!”
“That's a nice name,” smiled Ceradin. “Nice to meet you, Aryal.”
Ceradin held out his arm. Aryal readily took his wrist and shook it. Ceradin laughed. So this is how children are, he thought. No wonder parents all look so happy.

Ceradin wanted to just sit down and watch the child play with him for hours. Then, he realized: Aryal must have some parents looking for him.

I know I should continue on this, but like the title says, this is an idea to grow on.