Sun Mote Copse Miss Smilla Feeling for Snow

Wraen didn't know, though following her confession came a bout of musing to which Sugar paid rapt attention. It concluded with the Sovereign suggesting she close her eyes and attempt to navigate the world, with Wraen's help. Although the leader laughed over the wordplay, Sugar felt a strange sort of alarm at the mere idea of trying. Already, this was a good exercise in empathy.

She thought of Fen and wanted to better understand her plight, so Sugar nodded and then slammed her eyes shut. The instinct to stay still, stay safe, was almost overpowering. But she took a few tentative steps, her pulse fluttering nervously. This was no life or death matter, yet she could feel her fight or flight instincts kicking into gear. And the urge to open her eyes was nearly irresistible, though she persisted.

"Say something," she asked after a beat, remembering the way Fen oriented herself by vocal cues and craving the safety of knowing Wraen's location.