Every Little Thing She Does

SHIBA KLEIN

Iolaire didn’t seem to be bothered by her declining the offer, which she was grateful for. Maybe her own sense of vulnerability had made her a bit more sensitive to the feelings of others, or perhaps it was a fluke due to the alcohol, but she found herself relating to both of the women. She returned her smile, though the expression didn’t reach her eyes. Her sorrow ebbed and flowed like the ocean tides, washing over her in one moment, and then quickly receding, only to crash back into her moments later. This loss of control over her emotions was what she had feared, but she had also secretly needed it. Once the trio separated to go their own ways, and she found herself alone once more, she would have nothing left to distract her from the things she was so desperately trying to avoid thinking about.

As she explained she was looking for her family, Iolaire asked for her surname. She explained her role as an ambassador and hope began to build in her chest, squeezing her lungs while lessening the weight she felt pressing on her shoulders. "Klein. I’m Shiba Klein." Her gaze stayed trained on the small woman’s face, searching for a flicker of recognition, hoping with every fiber of her being that this woman would be able to give her some trace of information that might lead her to her family.

"Speech."