Stavanger Bay if "i love you" was a promise

dalia's eyes fell to the pearl that velen had dropped, but he was focused on her soft words. he did not believe her; the set of her body and somber expression upon her pretty face told him no such thing was possible. "something bad?" the former dredge rumbled, settling himself sphinx-like before her.
a nudge of his forepaw pushed the pearl closer to dalia; chestnut gaze wavered with consternation. "you can tell me," velen murmured softly. he attempted then to find the soft colour of her eyes, to reassure her that whatever had happened did not change his regard of her, nor would he think differently of dalia.