Porcupine Ridge Here, There And Everywhere

Well look at them, two massive sad-sacks wallowing in their sadness together. Sure, they had something in common - more than one somethings, actually - but was it a good sign that the sorrow was what linked them? Sounds like a path that would lead to unhealthy co-dependence. Luckily Ibis was more upbeat than that, and when the girl mentioned their sameness, she merely nodded. The solemnity of the moment was starting to make this encounter awkward. Ibis watched the woman, saw the way she was staring at the dirt and bore witness to the reduced posture, and then turned away, looking out over the valley and imagined the possibilities.

In a few hours the group would be moving on to Kaistleoki. Once they reunited with Ira things would progress quickly - some would no doubt choose to pledge themselves to the kingdom. Ibis wasn't sure what she was going to do if they all splintered apart. For now she would bask in the company of the other woman - sorrowful they both proved to be, but it was better than nothing.

Things will get better, Ibis offered eventually, and while her voice was subdued, there was a soft hope to her tone. They can't really get worse now, can they. That was rhetorical; and also quite naive.