Dragoncrest Cliffs Of moon, of sea

at some point the boy became aware of the burn of sobeille’s attention. she watched him as he stalked away out of the corner of her eye.

ajei pointed to a scar that cut along her shoulder! sobeille traced this newfound wound with fascination. bodies were a map of the environment they experienced; it thrilled her to think that ajei’s kill-moment (for her, nonetheless!) would be worn on her skin forever.

dat be a nice scar. sobeille’s tone was approving. you wear it well. she thought of her maman and the scars she wore - would sobeille one day be so decorated?

ajei asked of the pearl ceremony. sobeille leaned in. it was one of many traditions in sapphique she was proud of. where often it was she learning about other people’s cultures, now it was time for her to share her own. when we are puppies we have several coming of age ceremonies. de pearl ceremony is de first. each one is given t’ree oysters. de one with de first pearl becomes your pearl. mine was little and brown. ugly - a true reflection of the soul occupied inside. sobeille thought of how beautiful astera’s had been, or tousaint’s. but my maman had de same one. dat pearl means i be brave and loyal. i will bring you some oysters, ya? we be havin’ our own pearl ceremony.