Arrow Lake Jol

River watched as clouds of warm air swirled about Cad’s slender muzzle when he laughed. It had been months since she had last heard the sound, and a corner of her mouth briefly twitched upwards of its own free will. She fought it valiantly to retain a smooth line of impassivity, though she could not shutter the light of levity from her eyes.

The innocence of his next words touched her, grabbing at something deep inside that she had done well to hide from the rest of the world. She perceived it as a pinch upon her heart, coming to the realization that she had made herself lonely to precisely keep from having to be honest with anyone.

She was quiet for a moment, observant and guarded. Are you always this philosophical? River would not give him the satisfaction of having softened her. Though, for days – if not weeks – after this encounter, she would think of him, his words, often.