Sun Mote Copse Blackbird singing

Fen's voice came again, from up ahead and slightly to her left. Sugar didn't hasten her step, though she corrected her course. It wasn't long before she found the girl standing stock still beneath the partial shelter of some trees. Sugar paused for just a moment before proceeding toward her. Where before she may have reached out to touch her to let her know she was there, Sugar instead opted to simply say, "Hey."

A beat of silence passed after this greeting, during which Sugar groped for something to say. She really hadn't talked to anyone since returning. She'd let her parents fuss over her (cringing inside all the while at the physical contact), Avery too, for as long as she could stand it. She'd then sought solace in the form of solitude. This was going to be her first meaningful conversation since coming back.

Her mouth opened and shut a few times before she finally came up with something. "Have you ever had a secret?"