10-05-2021, 12:07 PM
It is a relief to be invited to do something, though Frey won’t recognize that relaxing of her muscles for what it is until years later. Hadrien may not know how to comfort a child—being just a child himself—but the little snake can sense his intentions within some instinctual part of her.
When the boy grins, Frey can’t help but to return it, even if it is a weaker version of his boyish one.
“I’d like that,” she answers quietly, voice warbling beneath the sound of the pattering rain. The brilliant lime of her eyes glimmers with the gentlest of hopes, the kind of wonder that only a soft, inexperienced heart can feel. While a darkness threatens and looms within her, Hadrian’s simple, generous offer leads her away from the precipice hanging high above the sea of shadows.
Frey gestures for the colt to lead her in a direction. She settles into an easy rhythm beside him, quietly attempting to swallow the panic that chokes her when she wonders if he’ll ask her to leave when this walk is deemed over.
“Can I—” Frey stops mid sentence. She swallows, then finds her strength and finishes, “Can I stay and help you find her?” A grim smile lifts her mouth as she adds, “I know I don’t see much with one working eye, but . . .” She doesn’t have a punchline, so silence follows.
When the boy grins, Frey can’t help but to return it, even if it is a weaker version of his boyish one.
“I’d like that,” she answers quietly, voice warbling beneath the sound of the pattering rain. The brilliant lime of her eyes glimmers with the gentlest of hopes, the kind of wonder that only a soft, inexperienced heart can feel. While a darkness threatens and looms within her, Hadrian’s simple, generous offer leads her away from the precipice hanging high above the sea of shadows.
Frey gestures for the colt to lead her in a direction. She settles into an easy rhythm beside him, quietly attempting to swallow the panic that chokes her when she wonders if he’ll ask her to leave when this walk is deemed over.
“Can I—” Frey stops mid sentence. She swallows, then finds her strength and finishes, “Can I stay and help you find her?” A grim smile lifts her mouth as she adds, “I know I don’t see much with one working eye, but . . .” She doesn’t have a punchline, so silence follows.