Larksong Grotto There's a struggle coming

The light was filtering in, little by little. The dust from the cavern floor spiraled up and away, and she watched it, as if it were the only company she needed. There was a moment of calm. The dull glow of spring was just out of her reach and Tavi, feeling worn out and bloated and all manner of different, felt more familial with the dust than with any real person in the grotto. As if on cue with this thought, the dust drifted away from her and, quite suddenly, Reek was there — blocking the light with his body as he slid inside. It caught Tavi off-guard, and she side-stepped to allow him room to move; he came bearing gifts, but Tavi couldn't bring herself to look up from the cave floor as she rounded and paced away from him.

She drifted along one of the further walls, sliding in to the dark and then standing there with her head turned to regard him. He was a black figment in her vision, with the faint light illuminating his shaggy fur. When he spoke she remained where she was, and hardly moved; only her ears pulled back and plastered down upon her head. Tavi licked her lips, unsure of what to say in response — if he expected a response — and ended up with a weak attempt at humor, Maybe you should focus on bugs then. Her voice was light but otherwise hollow, and afterwards she fell silent, and turned away.