7/30/2026, 3:17 PM
his smile settles over her strangely. approval without familiarity, warmth sharpened by something she cannot quite name. fa’liya does not retreat, though one ear folds sideways and her weight shifts almost imperceptibly toward the shelter of the flowers. there is little threat in the motion of his tail and less still in the ease with which he has laid himself open across the stone, but instinct is directed by more than outward threat.
she understands little of his tongue and glances where his chin points instead of offering words. the linger saatsine lie a little beyond the wisteria wood. is that what he means?
fa’liya steps another pace into the light. gold climbs from her forepaws to the narrow bones of her chest, revealing more plainly what the shadows had softened: the hollows beneath her ribs, the fragile slope of her shoulders, black fur dulled in sickness. a red petal settles between her ears.
she understands little of his tongue and glances where his chin points instead of offering words. the linger saatsine lie a little beyond the wisteria wood. is that what he means?
sun clan,she supplies, a little rough at the edges where language and breath catches faintly.
yes. mine.
fa’liya steps another pace into the light. gold climbs from her forepaws to the narrow bones of her chest, revealing more plainly what the shadows had softened: the hollows beneath her ribs, the fragile slope of her shoulders, black fur dulled in sickness. a red petal settles between her ears.
you not saatsine. who you?