Wapun Meadow do we stand a chance to rise above it all

his ears pressed to his skull, his brow furrowing. he heard the sniffles. he was not stupid. marten was still young, immature in his own way, but he knew what sniffles meant. "please don't lie to me," he said softly, his ears still down.

boldly, marten came closer, slowly and with his head low in case laurel would chase him back. he knew that the two sisters didn't like showing emotion -- his own mama. marten knew they stayed strong, maybe even for him, but he didn't understand it. marten thought it was great to feel feelings, it meant you could. "what's wrong?" he asked again.