Ravensblood Forest the fat pelican

Raleska knew she was being cold, but that's all she could be in that moment. He had left her in a time of turmoil, and she hadn't quite forgotten it. Even if he came back, even if he remained a steadfast piece of her life, it would take time to redeem the black mark he had left in his wake.

She felt her mouth run dry as he mentioned a mother; she wanted to share everything and nothing at once. She wanted him to know and yet, she felt he didn't deserve to know, because he had left, which meant he hadn't cared, right? Her perspective was so young and juvenile -- she should have realized what mattered now was that he was here, standing before her.

"Oh." She answered, her voice flat. "Does this mean you're back for good?" Her gaze narrowed and an unspoken question remained in the air: Have you come back to Rusalka?