Dawnlark Plains I dreamt about you nearly every night this week

He nodded, glad that she accepted his apology, and a sheepish smile bloomed over his features. "You've lost a lot, as well," he murmured, hoping she wouldn't discount her own struggles so readily in order to soothe him. She had every right to grieve, too. "You've been strong. Remarkably so. He'd be proud."

Shale continued to sort in silence, nose wrinkled as he wrestled out a particularly foul-smelling rabbit, rotting at the belly. He set it aside, the distaste falling from his face as he looked at Dawn again. "Thank you, Dawn," he said sincerely. "For accepting my apology. You didn't have to. I wouldn't blame you if you didn't."

He thought of Sunny, and frowned suddenly. He hoped the boy would return eventually, so he'd have the chance to make amends with his nephew as well. For them to part on such a sour note disturbed him; it was one of the foremost topics on his mind, these days.