Ouroboros Spine Twinkle twinkle, little star

Valiant shook his head, his eyes downcast.

"They're scattered," he told her. "I couldn't begin to know where to look for them. I'll face it when I see them again. For now — I'll talk to Arrluk and Ajei." He offered her a weak but warm smile. "We oughta do this right."

He didn't have any family left here of his own, but Arrluk, at least, was family to his girls. That still meant they were as good as blood, in Valiant's mind.

His smile was a little stronger, then. He ducked forward to press a quick kiss to Raindrop's cheek, unable to help himself.

"Now, quit lookin' at me like that," he scolded, though only in jest. "There's only so much a man can take."

Pointedly, he turned his face back up to the stars — though he was blind to them, now, basking in the glow of her companionship. The promise of it.