cloud lash blinked up at him, unsure if it was the tone or the words that made her ears lift and her breath catch. his first question— the one in common— she understood well enough. she gave a small shake of her head, slow and apologetic, her smile sheepish but unashamed.
no… speak little, she murmured, carefully, like each word was a stone she had to pick up with her teeth and place just so.
but then came the second voice— his voice, but different. the sounds curled strange and lovely in her ears, sharp and rich, like cold rivers sliding over mountain stones. her eyes widened slightly, and she tilted her head, the way pups do when they’re hearing music for the first time. she didn’t know the meaning, not even close, but it pulled at her all the same— the feeling of it.
softly, she stepped closer, as if by standing nearer she might somehow gather the meaning from the air between them. not that, she said gently, tapping her chest with one paw, then shaking her head again.
then, quieter, she smiled up at him, voice barely above a breeze: but… sound nice. her tail gave a low wag behind her.
she liked that he tried. she liked it a lot.