Hideaway Strath all great and precious things are lonely.

The man’s expression shifted. Totoro wondered if he was put off by their loud hiccupping, prompting them to redouble their efforts to stifle the noise with a paw fisted against their lips. It didn’t muffle them entirely, though as long as they didn’t try to talk, it shouldn’t be so loud…

His question surprised them so much their paw fell away and they gaped at him for a beat before the loudest HIC! yet escaped them. Totoro didn’t bother trying to subdue their noisy bout of singultus. They were much too busy marveling over this stranger’s apparent sorcery.

How do you know my name? they questioned, intrigued more than anything. Hic! Wait! Totoro whispered in the very next breath. Hic! Did you know my Aunt—hic!—Avery Blackthorn? My mother always said I was—hic!—her spitting image and that was why she decided to call me—hic!—Avery when I was born.