Dragoncrest Cliffs Of moon, of sea

sobeille took note of that sweet smile; the way it stole across ajei’s face like a slow blooming sun.

she observed, too, the way the girl traced delicate patterns in the soil rather than make direct eye contact. sobeille absorbed it all; ajei’s flicking gaze, the scraping noise of claw against occasional stone, the softness of her tone — all supped in the manner a parched desertgoer might greedily take in water.

ajei did not like loud noises, new faces, new surroundings, or hard and fast approaches. these were things sobeille did not mind - how interesting!

she solemnly drew her gaze up and down ajei, as if she would be able to view the inner machinations of the girl’s psyche. what was your maman like, ajei? following this, her gaze cut to arrluk pointedly — was he at fault for why his charge was so bound by nervous energy? and was he so poor a guardian he could not ease her mind and spirit with his company?