Emberwood and it hurts my soul

He felt a small twinge of. . .something. . .in his stomach, when Bhediya pulled away, but it dissipated as she drew close again. Perhaps it was only the news she brought that made her so shy. It was big news, after all, and his face bloomed into delighted surprise as she gave it to him.

Och, that's grand, Bhediya, Pygmalion responded, suffused with happiness. I'm so glad for ye that she's returned. I would love to meet her, as soon as I can. He paused, lips pursed in thought. There had been something about the scene on the plains that had caught his attention—

Is she the big lassie with fur kind of like shadows? Light in some places, dark in others? he asked, and then amended, fairly quickly, I think I've seen her 'round. New faces tend to catch attention, aye? No need to mention that he had seen her well before she set foot in the forest.