Half a year old meant Kobold had become increasingly difficult to keep track of. And he'd vanished into the pines chasing some brilliant idea only he could see, it wasn't until he realized Wisp had wandered off on her own that his course changed entirely.

Maw! his voice carried easily through the trees as he trotted after her, slowing only once he caught up. At first he meant to launch into whatever ridiculous story had occupied him that morning, but the words died somewhere between his brain and his mouth.

The blue flowers surrounded them in gentle clusters, swaying beneath the breeze. They smelled... strange, and made his wild eyes soften, his shoulder bumping lightly against hers. You know...I keep thinkin' about everybody, his blue gaze drifting toward the river beyond the trees.

...Do you ever get scared you're gonna forget what they sounded like? the question came suddenly, and so quietly it barely disturbed the wind, and he didn't look at her when he asked it. Selkie and him had been so close not that long ago, and now he couldn't remember the last time he'd seen him.

—