Noctisardor Bypass And emptiness is all you know.

mahler nodded understandingly. his own muscles had become hard in the long years of living upon the mountains, but time ceased for no one. his own levels of discomfort were more easily ignored, perhaps. "you came a long vay," he said softly, voice suddenly ragged to remember that she was here! to see her again! ah, the emotion, clutching at him.
"i vould like you to vait here. i vill bring you medicine and something for breakfast, ja? ja." mahler was not prepared to hear her refuse, and turned abruptly despite his smile. 
he had forgotten, it seemed, to talk to a daughter.
when he returned a handful of minutes later, it was with an easier mien, a cheekful of dark green, and a hare killed hours earlier and put into a cache. a lucky take, considering its speed and his lack of it. 
mahler crouched close and turned an eye upon ciri.