Rosewater Oasis I dream in oily fluorescent swirls

He knew not to expect a great deal of enthusiasm from her, but her cooperation was valued. He still had little more than speculation on why it was Widower was so with-held, but he didn't hold it against her, nor would he bring it up. It would fracture whatever trust he'd managed to forge, and nothing was worth losing that- not when she was not only valuable, but highly tolerable as well. 

He tried not to take it personally when she mentioned she might leave, eventually...But he knew she wasn't one to be tied down. She likely didn't enjoy crowds, either. "Sounds like a deal, then," He said, though he dreaded the day, already, that she might disappear off into the horizon again. Of all the treasures he'd ever found, none made him feel the way Widower did; and similar to its value, he would keep that secret buried deep within him. 

"Now, how'd you do this?" He asked, motioning to the three small pools of water he'd set up. "Do I need somethin' with a finer grit or am I just pushin' on these stones too hard?" He asked. Tumbling stones by hand in rock-filled pools was something he was learning, but had yet to master.