| He turns to look at her, this boy of alabaster and emerald, and she meets his gaze of seafoam green and tumultuous inner turmoil. Oh, but does her heart ache for his tears. He tries to smile, to reassure, although Runa is quite uncertain if his attempt is for her sake or his own. She wonders which of them might need it more. Her face twists in a look of genuine concern and empathy, but she does not try to speak. Not yet. Instead she shuffles closer, picking her steps with silence and reverie for the sheer atmosphere looming around them. The ocean beneath the cliffside crashes against the earth with a mighty force, the sound echoing in her ears, but it did not distract her. Nothing would distract her, not from this boy who so clearly needed assistance. Eventually he spoke, and Runaveig listened. Umbra remained nearby but did not stay in the air, not wishing to intimidate or scare the boy. Instead, the opalescent black dragon landed upon the grass and soil at Runaveig’s side, yellow-green eyes peering quizzically at the teary-faced child. The twilight entertainer could feel the pygmy dragon’s concern, and their thoughts were the same; could they offer assistance? Or would they simply have to leave the boy be? Regardless, his words are alarming. ’Something terrible has happened.’ Oh, but indeed it has. The Night Queen has been stolen away from Denocte, presumably by a murderer. There are rumors of more murders to the north, within the province of Delumine. Runa has no idea if they are true, but why would someone lie about that? The boy, however, continues on, repeating a mantra of quivering words from equally quivering lips. ’We’re not safe, we’re not safe…’ She didn’t understand, but she knows that she won’t find out anything if she holds her silence. Clearing her throat, Runa speaks softly, keeping her voice gentle and soothing in an attempt to soothe his grief. “It’s quite alright, dear heart. Please don’t cry. You don’t have to be afraid right now; Umbra and I are here and we will keep you safe.” Or, they would try at least. Umbra was fierce and formidable when he wanted to be, when it came to her, but surely they could both help in whatever way would be needed. “My name is Runa. What has happened? Can you tell me…?” In the back of her heart, however, she wondered if she already knew. |
@Pan
