Dragoncrest Cliffs Anglerfish

She felt full to the brim with emotions, and all of them were negative. She teetered on the precipice of wanting to shout at him again and drive him away from the trap they’d built, but she was also terrified of being vulnerable enough to explain about the gull. His confusion frustrated her, and every time he used that nickname, Su, she felt less and less worthy of it. 

Something clicked, though, when he admitted how he felt. She looked up, and could see a reflection of her own turmoil in his indigo eyes. They could relate, when they looked at one another. Both lost, hurt, and confused. 

”De bird.” She said, her voice cracking. She swallowed hard and felt her lips tremble. She looked away again, ears flattened. If she didn’t stare at the ocean, she felt it might pour from her eyes again. ”I saved a bird, months ago. ‘Is foot was caught in driftwood…Grandmaman an’ I set ‘im free.” Her voice was low. She felt somewhat ashamed of what she’d done- but deeper yet was the shame she felt when she knew what her choice had done. ”It…became used to me. I shared my food wid it. I earned its trust- mebbe just some of it but…Enough. Enough for it to get too tame. I tamed de bird, Swordfish, an’ it…It died, because I taught ‘im to trust ‘is enemy.” she croaked. With a helpless gasp, she begged with her misty lilac gaze to understand the pain and guilt she felt. ”I am sorry I lunge at you, I just…It was my friend, Swordfish.”