Stavanger Bay she brought the sugar and the mint

Yes, yes - please! Tag me when you're ready!

Despite his trouble forming words, Szymon had an wide spectrum of other sounds to choose from. Doe leaned her head against his neck to better hear the orchestra of hums and growls, feeling that if she could just listen a little harder, sink in a little deeper, they would knit themselves together and become a language all their own.

As it was, she almost didn't recognize his farewell, and looked up at him in wooly-eyed confusion as he stretched and and made himself otherwise ready for departure. Recognition truly hit when he stood, a low sound in the back of his throat that promised to see her again - and something else.

Ears flickering in confusion, Doe caught his tail between her teeth as he turned to go, letting it slip through her jaws like water when he moved away. He would be back, but when? Where was he going? Could she come with? I want him to stay - why is he leaving? Questions swirled through her mind, but she kept them hidden in her throat. If he wanted me to come, he would have asked me. Somehow, he would make sure I knew. And this was not a goodbye, but a see-you-later. He'll be back.

She called his name-sound once - not a summons, this time, but a promise of her own.

I'll be waiting.