Emotional Intelligence

Rakia watched intently as Talyssa spoke, her large hazel eyes absorbing every movement, every word. She sat on the edge of the throng, her slender frame half-buried in the obsidian sand. Her coat, a blend of russet and cream, was ruffled by the sea breeze, tickling her cold nose.

Rakia tilted her head to one side as she processed Talyssa's words. Compassion. That was a big word, she knew. It meant very little to her, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t open to hearing what Talyssa had to say about it. She turned her gaze to the endless blue of the ocean, trying to grasp the depth of the lesson. Seagulls squawked above them, their shrill voices carried over by the wind. Rakia's ears twitched at the sound, a subtle sign of distraction even as she continued to ponder.

"Rakia Perreau"