Stavanger Bay if "i love you" was a promise

it seemed saucy had gone AWOL, her scent lifting from the cold sands. velen had tracked the last trail of it for some time, frowning as it tapered off into nothing. dalia too, had become scarce, staying closer to home. but at least she was still about, and perhaps she knew where the tiger-girl had gone. loping strides carried the former dredge along the shoreline; in his mouth, velen idly rolled a misshapen pearl plucked from the hapless tongue of a poor clam. 
it was small enough to choke him if he swallowed, the boy knew, and so he was careful, tucking it into one cheek as chestnut gaze caught sight of the despondency lacing dalia's slight frame. the trees rustled overhead; velen drew closer and came to a stop, chuffing lightly to grasp her attention, though his gaze filled with a particular sort of worry.