The Heartwood well, you were laid in verse

how many days has it been since he's seen any living creature ... aside from the woodland critters he'd hunted? weeks, maybe. this was of his own design while he allowed the grief of his mother's death to crush him beneath the seawaves within him that it'd taken the shape of. he draws in a dry breath, tongue feeling like sandpaper as his steps come to a slow halt; twinsun gaze taking in the lean shadow in the distance. watching him; her chuff garnering his attention.

what now? inquires his thoughts. it was no surprise that heda's death has changed him ... and not into anything resembling a social butterfly. his time in seclusion had done nothing to breach this armor he's wrapped himself in.

do i know you? is what ezra settles for, voice rough from disuse; knowing full well that he doesn't know her. but he'd felt the pull to say something — anything — so he wasn't staring at her like an uncouth beast with no manners.