Otatso Wetlands will you be ready when the straw-boss calls?

nunataq was understandably too busy catching her breath to answer: not that she would have answered anyway, indra thought with an amused yet rueful smile. it had not been for lack of trying - both she and laurel and occasionally xan had tried to tempt the girl to speak, and at this point it seemed she would never speak at all.

it was not such a bad thing, indra thought. words were clumsy; they lacked depth, were shallow, and often, they could hurt you. better to live life without their nebulous meanings infiltrating you, leading you to self-doubt and ruin.

once the pair had regained their breath, indra nosed along the ground pointedly. the two had their own silent exchange; indra had learned to adapt her posture and body language to nunataq's preferences, and had learned also what certain gestures or expressions might convey. it was obvious she was searching for lucas - but they were far from home, and not a scent of him could be found here.