For Hadama, too, the memories swam near the surface. Edmund's grin, so full of warmth and light, was an echo of Ray's earnest and cheerful mien and the mermanta's heart contracted hard. It was just as well that he was given to quietude, for it gave him cover to draw a slow, deep breath in through his nose and regain control of his sorrow as he turned to his own craft.
"I hope so," he agreed to Edmund's praise, inclining his head to his young friend in gratitude. "I will do my best." So saying, he made himself comfortable and began to paint with a steady hand, focusing on simplicity and the smooth curves of ink over glass. The dots began to take on familiar patterns beneath his hand, the brightest of Torchline's constellations recreated in miniature upon the buoy as they spoke.
"Yes. Not knowing more details is... difficult. But there are things we can do to prepare." He paused to glance at his friend upon the sand, offering what encouragement he could. "Our training is one. Activity helps against the uncertainty." He rinsed the brush and then opened the pot of black paint, sketching a stylized tower on the lower portion of the lantern. "I will need help restocking the shelters in Flowerbirth." It was less a statement than an invitation, offering Edmund something to take his mind off the unknown threat... or at least to do something productive about it, that might help ease his dread.
"I hope so," he agreed to Edmund's praise, inclining his head to his young friend in gratitude. "I will do my best." So saying, he made himself comfortable and began to paint with a steady hand, focusing on simplicity and the smooth curves of ink over glass. The dots began to take on familiar patterns beneath his hand, the brightest of Torchline's constellations recreated in miniature upon the buoy as they spoke.
"Yes. Not knowing more details is... difficult. But there are things we can do to prepare." He paused to glance at his friend upon the sand, offering what encouragement he could. "Our training is one. Activity helps against the uncertainty." He rinsed the brush and then opened the pot of black paint, sketching a stylized tower on the lower portion of the lantern. "I will need help restocking the shelters in Flowerbirth." It was less a statement than an invitation, offering Edmund something to take his mind off the unknown threat... or at least to do something productive about it, that might help ease his dread.
