Stavanger Bay shiver down my backbone

val stifled a quiet gasp. he was on the cusp of teasing her for her crush, when she continued. he would have to land his shot later.

his gaze followed hers, out into the ocean. as she sat down next to him, val marveled at how quickly the earth spins. it seemed only yesterday she was a puppy. now, as an adult, she had a different kind of vantage.

he hoped this world was safe for her - as he did for all of sapphique's daughters.

as she spoke of teya, val understood teya's frame of reference. he'd heard it before. grief is the price we pay for love. who had said that once -- was it maman? the memories blurred the older he got. he wondered how heavy that price was, loving. he missed his mamans every day.

it did not get any easier.

why not tell your sister that your first and most handsome crush is here? surely, she would want to meet him for herself. val winked, peering back out into the ocean. he understood those harmless crushes. sometimes they grew to something more - but often, they were small little stepping stones of experience on the great path called life. well. i hope there are no sea dragons. but i told you before, about the loa in the cave. is your sister adventurous?