Arrow Lake when thaw is not below us

face still clenched like a fist, the boy came and sat, and Tahani cast him a fleeting smile as he did so. auntie and nephew existed in silence for a good few minutes, the healer content to let whatever storms were in Mesa's mind recede, at least somewhat. she knew there was no getting through to him if anger clouded his every thought.

talk to me? she finally said, phrasing it much more like a question than a command. if he didn't want to talk, he wouldn't talk. mostly, she just wanted to avoid the lashing of his young tongue. tell me. . .what is in your mind. tentative, like testing ice not yet thick enough to walk upon.

that was the nature of young Ateneq men. explosive, all. handle them with a gentle touch when things were not their fault, and put your paw down firmly when they had stepped out of line.