Nova Peak Splitting

The look on their sister’s face was clear as day. Carrion, Masquerade thought with affectionate incredulity, really? They should not have been surprised. The strange name suited her.

Thanks, they replied wryly to “Fifth’s”—no, Carrion’s—next line of verse, somehow magical and uplifting. And I assume it hides because it doesn’t want to get eaten, they added, wondering if the Toweard would enlighten them with a much more profound reasoning.

Even as they anticipated more whimsy in response, Masque suddenly realized their headache had gone at some point during this distracting conversation. They gave their head a tentative little shake as if to test it, then stepped further into the overcast daylight.

The migraine was gone and, more importantly, Carrion had quite clearly forgiven them for their earlier behavior. The Ulfr drew in a breath and looked back to their younger sister, marigold eyes shining with humble appreciation.