Ocean's Breath Plateau Somewhere in Kingston

She felt a wave of guilt when she caught sight of Marina. Long ago, she had told herself she would be friendly with Chakliux’s wives, believing that she would find them as fast friends…And instead, she had remained distant, as she had, it seemed, from all but Dutch. 

Perhaps now, his absence was her punishment for being so introverted. Perhaps it was time for her to amend her ways, and finally forge bonds with those who should have been her companions.

She was oblivious to the pain Dutch’s absence had caused the woman, having either forgotten or blocked out the knowledge that the two had been close. When he had pledged himself to be her husband, she had refused to even consider that others might hold him dear to their heart in any way that was not brotherly. 

She was greeted with a look that made her feel exposed; the softness in her features was empathetic and warm, and while Simbelmyne wished to accept the woman’s support gracefully, she could not. 

Her eyes welled with tears, and her lips trembled. Fractured and fragile, she couldn’t withstand the kind gesture without remembering keenly the loss she felt.