it was a good trade. elk charm nodded eagerly and moved to exchange the items. she was happy to have the stones, and rolled them between her palms for a long moment. for some reason the motion made her think of samo, and she became saddened. a stricken look crossed her face, and for a moment she was only still with her new trade goods settled solemnly before her.

she was alone.

what was the good of taking beautiful things back to a wetu where there was no one to see them?

elk charm shut her eyes; she regained herself, moment by moment.

someone leave me. leave too. regaining wardruna's eyes felt a monumental thing.

skill: expert Heartbroken

There was a sadness there in Hakacenyou. One which matched Wardruna's own, confirmed with her words.

Wardruna met the deep sea depths of her eyes and nodded with this understanding. Beautiful items to collect. An empty den to bring them home to.

Not alone forever. She spoke with clipped words, hoping still she would understand her. Find new. Find love again. What was the other option not to, but to live a life in lonliness and regret?

elk charm was no longer between-woman. this sharpened her movements, her breath.

we find.

we find. both.

wardruna had been kind -- consistent. elk charm wondered with dissipating shyness if the northfall woman would find pleasure in her company. she did not know how to be bold.

but her face heated, her skin flushed. paw reached for that of wardruna. we forget. together.

elk charm scorched to say it, her want; feared rejection; feared a yes.

and yet her impulse had deepened into righteous desire.

There was no doubt that Elk Charm was a beautiful woman. The deepness of her pelt, her eyes, drawing her dangerously in like the deepest depths of the ocean. There was a captivating exoticness to her with clipped words laden with heavy accent from origins unknown. In ways, Elk Charm had been more consistent than some Wardruna had once called pack.

When Elk Charm reached a paw to place it to the much larger one of Wardruna's own, the northern girl did not shy away. It was good to feel the warmth of another, however mild, however fleeting. Forget… But alas, Wardruna was not bold in these matters either, where failure had chipped away at her confidence over years. It has been good to see you again, to trade with you...

there was a hesitation, and it was not one elk charm knew how to surmount.

for a time she held only to wardruna's paw, willing that the other's heart heal through this contact. she was ignorant of all matters when it came to desire, and less certain of how it might be communicated.

likewise -- their connection had lasted until it became something more than the fleeting look they had once shared. even if it stayed here, a bond of exchange, this would please the sharadoii.

she collected their palms into a light squeeze. not forget me, hm? i come back for trading. that must -- this would be enough. she would ensure that this would be what she kept from wardruna.