The Sentinels yet dawn is ever the hope of men

when her brother persisted, mona leveled him with a flat stare that briefly brought to mind the expression of one threatening to be jaded at their edges. and yet the murkwater of her stare cleared; the emerald swam to light, and she softened tangibly. "oh, cort," the girl whimpered, chin trembling even as she blinked back tears. "i ran away from mom and dad, and stayed in a pack called tindome. and i m-met a man there, nathaniel, and it's ... he loves me, i think, and we did it —" here she faltered fawnlike, eyes widening with horror before she pressed on in a flurry of blinking " — but i just miss mom all the time, and you, and i feel so alone!"
there now; all out, and the little firebird winded.