Larksong Grotto you will only hear these elegant crimes

He followed her to the edge of the water, peering with wide eyes at their reflections. Alarian didn't make a habit of looking at himself. His heart dropped; had he always been so...? He glanced to Lily's reflection, then, and back up to her. It seemed accurate enough. Alarian looked away from the water, wanting very much to sink into the ground and die.
At first, he only listened to her speak, watching the grotto around them. Only a gentle breeze stirred the picturesque, almost too quiet scene; with it came scents that spoke of life. Hiding, then. He imagined not many disturbed this place.

Alarian turned back to his friend when he heard the emotion in her voice, gaze trailing from her to the water, then back. What do you see? It was gentle, almost a whisper. He could not bring himself to stare too long, to try to emulate whatever experience had moved Lily so deeply. He feared he would only see ghosts.