let sleeping dogs

Mercy's explorations had brought her to the cave, tucked beneath the Peak. It's a quiet spot, one that would probably make for good hiding and a nice long winter nap. With the scent of the falls carrying something piney, Mercy at least has some idea what she's near. This is the north, for as little as she knows about it. Learning. Right, that's why she's come exploring in the first place.

Not alone for long, her head snaps around to the boy. Narrowed eyes, squinting for a moment. "Are you stupid?" Mercy's tone dripping with false sincerity, as she looks from the boy back to the bear. Boy. Bear. Bear. Boy. "Do you not know a bear when you smell it?" Mercy made a show of rolling her eyes. She, too, was struggling to keep her voice down.

"speech"