1/3/2026, 4:42 AM
![[Image: de30rbh-3b0683a6-441b-43e3-821f-97de2c91...kDaKDynxTk]](https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/9de0281f-9de0-407a-a8c3-cff68eced06b/de30rbh-3b0683a6-441b-43e3-821f-97de2c917037.gif?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiIvZi85ZGUwMjgxZi05ZGUwLTQwN2EtYThjMy1jZmY2OGVjZWQwNmIvZGUzMHJiaC0zYjA2ODNhNi00NDFiLTQzZTMtODIxZi05N2RlMmM5MTcwMzcuZ2lmIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.X3AR7ztue9yyAPqjXnKt7hzjl9ocfI1zPkDaKDynxTk)
immediately, gjalla is stunned by the quick and dramatic escalation of the boy unfolding before her.
there is no confusion in her eyes, only a brief, naked flicker of surprise that someone so frantic would bare his throat so readily. his admission claws something sharp and old up her spine. her displeasure softens, not into kindness, but into a forced settling of her irritation.
she studies him again, slower this time. the way he drops to the ground and springs back up. tremors coil in his limbs, not fear so much as pressure with nowhere to go. her head tilts a fraction.
kæmpe?The word leaves her low, incredulous. Not mocking. Testing.
þú rennir blindur um undarland, næstum brýtur hálsinn á öxl minni, og þá biður þú mig um bardaga eins og almu?frost ghosts from her muzzle. she takes a single step forward, snow compressing under her weight. authority without volume.
nei. ek mun eigi berjast við þik. segðu mér hví þú ert að sundrast í trjánum eins og veiði með hjarta rifið út.
a pause. then, almost reluctantly—
if your answer is honest,her shoulders roll once, muscles shifting under dark fur,
then i will consider it.
