Lost Creek Hollow hollow

Bhreac laughed for the first time in what felt like literal years — but was probably more like weeks — at her sisters fumbling, blushing evasions of Riordan. They'd spent most of their lives surrounded entirely by family. On occasion, a stranger would pass through, or somebody would leave and return with someone they didn't know, but rarely did anybody who didn't share their blood arrive in their lands and stay for any prolonged period of time.

As such, they'd never really had any sort of crushes growing up — there just hadn't been the option, although Bhreac vaguely remembered a passerby or two who had caught their youthful, giggling attention. But no one since they'd become adults. There were lots of possibilities open to them in this valley that hadn't been available, previously. She supposed it was a good thing, but at the moment, it all felt a bit overwhelming — and she worried for her sister, whose heart was so open, when they'd both learned how much hurt strangers could inflict.

"Well, that was embarrassing," Bhreac said. "For both of us. Really, I'm so uncomfortable. Just as particularly as I like bugs? You're practically blushing. It's a little gross." She was teasing, of course. Eshe was allowed to have a crush. There was, however, a creeping desire to dissuade Eshe from bestowing her affections on those she'd just met, and maybe that was part of what she said, too.