Stavanger Bay water laps

Sobo didn't think he would ever tire of the musical quality of his sister's voice. He didn't know her very well, but this was a cornerstone of her identity. He thought it was a quality she had developed for herself, like da Njord's funny words or the piercing silence Rosalyn employed to great effect when she was displeased. He knew nothing of the true reason her words often rhymed or came out in melodies, and he didn't ask.

Oh! he said, realizing for the first time his error. Well, I tol' Loko but I guess he dinna tell anyone else. His smile landed somewhere between sheepish and amused, and shy as always. Loko likely thought the whole thing was a grand joke. His brother meant well, but sometimes he could be a little too mischievous. I be sorry, Chacal.

It was also, he realized, the first time he had really spoken to his sister, but their game from before had gone a long way in warming him up to her. She flopped down beside him and Sobo hardly even flinched. He looked out to the sea again and asked, why do you t'ink Sapphique be at de cliffs and not somewhere like dis?