Hushed Willows what happened to the charm of a small town?

Before Mae could fully flee the way she wanted to, the girl called out to her, stepping closer. Mae half-turned back toward her, standoffish in posture and expression for several moments. Then her gaze softened. The girl was a pretty redhead, blue-eyed and sea-scented, not like anyone the shadowy adolescent had seen before.

They're gifts, Mae explained a little gruffly, setting them down to speak. Or, they're going to be. For a moment she thought about explaining the weird game she'd established with Reverie, the trading of gifts back and forth that Mae sort of wished would come to a conclusion already. But that seemed dumb, so she swallowed the thought.

So, what, you another stray they picked up? She asked instead, looking the girl up and down with a critical gaze. She was pretty, but weak-looking; as much a delicate flower as Blossom and Reverie. Another liability, then; another one to protect. Mae would have to work harder at learning how to fight.