His patience and willingness in these moments did not go unnoticed. Devika found the whole thing rather humorous, but they weren't finished yet. Her ice-blue eyes studied his face, watching the careful movement of his mouth as he spoke. He got the “D” with no trouble, but, just as she had expected, the “E” was giving him a bit of trouble. Eh, even if it was a little off, it was still progress.

The dappled woman nodded encouragingly, her eyes bright with excitement. She continued mouthing her name in an overly exaggerated way, urging him to finish sounding it out. As they grew closer in the small, shared moment, she found herself wondering what he might say once he succeeded. His way of speaking was so enchanting, and she was eager to hear more of what he had to offer.