Redtail Rise tuscany

Gavrel watched the fine muscles around her ear shift as it swiveled. The hairs on the pink skin were glowing cilia; the sunlight made a halo out of them.

What else is there, she asked.

He realized with a start how fond he was of her terseness, the way she cut to the heart of things, the ruthless economy paired with softer moments -- he recalled their first meeting, the game of tag -- and perhaps it was her honesty, the way she presented herself and could ask such a question, what else is there.

What a foolish question to have asked, in retrospect. The answer lived and breathed in front of him.

Many things, I'm sure, he swallowed. His mouth was dry, and it betrayed him. He scrounged for words, came up empty-handed under her steady gaze.