Stone Circle snjór

there is foreign familiarity; softer sounds against the harsh icy stonecut of his fjordic.

but it is not enough to bridge the gap.

not entirely.

no. the common word falls from his lips in response to her own tongue shared, the question heard in the lilt of her tone but not understood; an executioner's blade. no, he didn't understand her. a favored word for it's simplicity. for it's similarity.

teach bjarna? bjarna! her name? valtivi thinks.

valtivi ... tee ...aech. teeaech. he butchers the common word messily, brow furrowing in frustration. teeach. teeeech? he tries again and again; stubborn to the marrow of his bones.

teech! he chirrups; small tendrils of pride warming his chest.