Larksong Grotto Moves west, flowers' shadows

The boy shuffled to the side so Veteran could get a better look at the curious blooms. He almost shared how he thought they resembled sea serpent heads with jaws held wide, but imaginative as Sobo could be, he was still a little too shy to open up that much. Suppose Veteran thought he was a baby for thinking that way? So he kept that thought to himself.

Good thing, too. The Duskfire boy was a mercenary and surely too serious to think much of Sobo's imagination. He could feel every bit of Veteran's pride when he shared his aspiration to be a guardian. Sobo was awed. Wooow, he said on a low, somewhat starstruck breath. Dat must be scary. Veteran might think that was odd coming from him. Sobo certainly looked like he could be a warrior, but there wasn't an aggressive bone in his body. Grumpy at times, but never aggressive.

Somehow, Veteran also found time to serve as a botanist for his mother. It made Sobo feel like he should be doing more for his family as well. Do ya get time for yaself? he wondered. The fact Veteran was here answered that question whether Sobo realized it or not. He imagined the other juvenile's days must be packed with gathering plants for his medic mother and training to be a guardian. Sobo's were rather less impressive. In fact, he began to feel inadequate all over again, a fact shown only in the sheepish and meek way his muzzle tilted down toward his chest.