Dragoncrest Cliffs Bathed in salt

Rae nodded once, and as she reached for the first oyster, she found that all thoughts of Suzu and a peach pearl fell away. She wasn't much like Suzu; that difference was what she liked about the other girl. Which meant that a peach pearl wouldn't suit her at all.

She stared at the first oyster for a moment. Was it a sign of failure to find nothing on the first attempt? Rae cast a brief glance at Chacal, then at Mireille and Suzu, and finally opened the oyster.

And there it was: red like her pelt, red like the essence of her spirit, bigger than she would have thought. Rae touched it lightly before lifting it to show her leaders, and Suzu. She waited for Chacal to explain what it meant — but she had a feeling she knew.