Witch's Marsh with a mind so dark and skin so white

The woman's laughter was refreshing. When was the last time Ibis had been carefree enough, happy enough, to let herself laugh? She was so tired these days. So weighted by her many losses... it didn't feel appropriate with her current situation. She could see the beauty in the marsh though; the crisp water, the moss-thick forest sprawling around her, the grass and reeds that were turning shades of gold and auburn as autumn tumbled in to winter. There were aspects of this space she could appreciate - but it was lonely.

When Bhediya mentioned she had been present three winters ago Ibis was shocked! Her eyes widened, having assumed by her size and friendliness that she was much, much younger. It dawned on her then that Bhediya could have been a mother at her age - and perhaps that was why she was so charming and easy to be around. Oh, it made Ibis ache for her mothers -- My parents broke up. The admittance blurted out of her, and her little ears pivoted nervously a bit. When we were born there was a famine so mom took us somewhere safe, and dad went somewhere else. I um... I stayed with mom, then when I was older I found my dad, but it.. wasn't home. My brother wanted to travel, so we left together.

Another episode of Ibis' Life: Abridged.