nice to sea you again

"hey!" they protest, though it's all feigned outrage as they flash Strai a sharp little grin. "ever heard of tiny but mighty?" they fall quiet for a moment, watching Strai's face as they track the hint of envy there. anyone else and they might not have noticed it, but they've been around Strai long enough now that they have some basic grasp on his emotive ticks. "you'll get there," they murmur, staring into the fire. they don't want to patronise him - Strai won't appreciate that - but there's a quiet certainty in their voice all the same. "one day, the whole of Boreas will know your name." they glance out the corner of their peripheral at him and smile again, this one smaller. "i'm sure of it."

Spider sits back on their haunches, watching in satisfaction as the fire begins to grow. its warmth is a welcome reprieve, and soon their fur is springing up as it dries, even more unruly than usual and sticking out every which way. "why don't you get some sleep?" they offer after a while. "i'll keep watch, and tomorrow we can find a proper healer."

"Speech"