Ocean's Breath Plateau gasoline and groceries

Marina was not far behind her son, trailing him idly with a contented half-smile lingering like morning fog across her tired features. Sirmiq's energy was always taxing for the sick mother — but she didn't mind. Not truly. There was too much love in her for her children for any resentment to ever take root.

A soft laugh bubbled from her at the tiny growl, quite possibly giving her away. Marina picked up the pace then, moving at a leisurely lope to cut off the lizard's path as it fled from Sirmiq. The tiny creature froze, then fled to the side. Marina only hung back with an encouraging look to her son that seemed to say go on then, go get it.