so I blame it on the river hitleah

[Xero]

Oh, it's in my roots—in my veins.
It's in my blood and I stain every heart that I use to heal the pain

Her considering gaze briefly sweeps over the various little groups throughout the field and lingers on those who have chosen to stand patiently alone for others to approach just as she had. She supposed there were many reasons that drove people to this place of gathering – loneliness, independence, hopefulness. Most importantly, there was a bright optimism for the chance at a new life. There were certainly worse things in life than worrying over a potential stranger’s view of one’s appearance.

“I suppose that you are right,” she laughs breathily.

She was oblivious to his obvious insight to some of her thoughts and feelings, but she certainly wouldn’t have been a stranger to such intimate touches. Momma Luna possessed the ability to project her thoughts into others and Xero had cherished those unspoken words between them. There wasn’t ever a question of whether she had been loved by her family, which was why it unsettled her to be riddled with such melancholiness. It remained a foreign invader within the castle of her heart.

He repeats her name and looks at her with something akin to puzzlement. She doesn’t know how she would cause such a reaction in someone else because nothing about her would stand out in such a way. She didn’t possess any gifts like most of her family nor was she outrageously colored like Gendry or Dare was. Xero was even the smallest when compared to her other siblings despite the gypsy blood running through her veins. She was as normal as normal gets amongst a world full of strange wonders.

That one brief moment is broken with the shifting of his weight and his immediate attention is brought to her once again. She wondered what had caused the faint glimpse of darkness she had spotted within his guarded eyes. Perhaps they were both fighting the fall and struggling to land on all four feet once again.

“All I know is that I can’t go back home for now. I don’t know what I can offer you, but I’m willing to try with you.”

This was spur of the moment – perhaps the most impulsive decision she has ever made before. She didn’t know a thing about him, but he reminded her of Drow and it was enough for her to take a chance.

“What do I call you?”

Maybe they could help piece each other back together again.

Xero

Nocturnal x Quark