Willows

Cairo listened with interest as Malalia told her story. It was a tiny piece of the girl’s past, and he was rather honored that she was willing to open up about it. He didn’t know what her life was like before she’d come to Boreas, but she was young, and hadn’t been born to the Armada. It wasn’t difficult to assume that something bad must have happened, because it sounded like she’d had a loving family, and surely, if something hadn’t happened, she’d still be there.

“Maybe she’ll come to Boreas too, someday.” His words were softer, gentler, and bracing with their hope. After all, it was all he could do when it came to Geo. Hope. Hope that one day, he’d see his tricolored little brother again. Hope that the volcano hadn’t killed him.

At her remark he chuckled, trademark grin in place. “It’s easier to smile, better to laugh, rather than let my worries drag me down. I have them, like anyone else, but I have a pack I want to serve well, and I can’t do that if I mope around all the time instead of working it out.”

His tail swept a bit harder over the ground as she thanked him, and nodded happily, adding, “If you ever feel like having some fun and sparring, and don’t mind a long walk, come to the west, and I’ll gladly spar you. I’ve no doubt you’ll join Aurielle in squashing my face into the dirt.”

He was only half joking with that last comment.

Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think