Moonspear rock the boat

Nikai sat down after he took his distance, his legs aching from the journey. The last months without Alya had been tough, though hunting on his own was easier now that he had lost the dead weight. Still, it wasn't -- and never would be -- the same as it was before, and he noticed it in moments like these, when he had decided to travel a bit further that day because he was almost there. Alya was not ready to let go, it seemed, and Nikai smiled -- not that she'd probably see it -- as she pressed her face up close against his.

Another might think sudden talk of one's mother wasn't very attractive, but Nikai thought it was endearing how Alya thought of Valette. And she was right; they must be worried, considering he had left with a wounded leg and he had been away from home for almost a year now. He nodded, but before he could respond verbally she asked if he had been back to Easthollow yet. Nikai responded: "I haven't. I came here first, because it was on the route -- well, almost, anyway. I wanted to see you. I'm glad you found your way back here." Nikai, too, had felt guilty for a little while as Alya had gone from his side. "But you're right. Valette must be worried. We should go and see her." Nikai realised only at the very end that he had assumed 'we' when it might as well be 'I' but he waited to see Alya's reaction before apologising, for maybe it would be unnecessary if she felt the same way.