Soleil
Soleil does not intend to give up her stolen prize, not until the man rips it from her arms directly. Even as she cowers she hugs tighter around the meat until every tiny muscle is strained. The man gives a shake of her dress, and she ragdolls around in his grip, human vocals garbled with a growl that grows louder threateningly. She can’t reach around to bite him but he hasn’t retrieved the meat either - and so they’re at an impasse, Sol’s heart beating thunder in her ears.
And then her savior appears like a whirlwind, a familiar small figure that looks a lot like Soleil’s new frame. The man pales at the mention of Maeve’s name, and the associated relation. Eyes darting down to the clearly-not-related child in his grasp as if weighing the pros and cons of believing the other girl. He doesn’t get the chance to try and refute Paige - the bracelets tossed his way make him fumble, and with a sharp little wriggle Soleil drops out of his hand and lands with a staggering thump on the sand. She skitters immediately behind Paige, her cloudlike hair the only bit of her poking out as she presses herself along the other girl’s spine. Heart rabbiting so hard she’s sure her rescuer can hear it.
“Don’t let me catch her sniffin’ round again without somethin’ to barter!” the man growls impotently, clearly wanting the last word but unwilling to go toe-to-toe with Paige - either she’s familiar enough to warrant trepidation, or the frowning faces turned his way are inspiring a bit of guilt. He stomps away with the bracelets shoved into his pocket.
Soleil waits a few long moments before she nuzzles into the back of Paige’s clothes, whining soft and low. “Is he gone?” It’s a whisper, though still loud enough to be heard from behind.
And then her savior appears like a whirlwind, a familiar small figure that looks a lot like Soleil’s new frame. The man pales at the mention of Maeve’s name, and the associated relation. Eyes darting down to the clearly-not-related child in his grasp as if weighing the pros and cons of believing the other girl. He doesn’t get the chance to try and refute Paige - the bracelets tossed his way make him fumble, and with a sharp little wriggle Soleil drops out of his hand and lands with a staggering thump on the sand. She skitters immediately behind Paige, her cloudlike hair the only bit of her poking out as she presses herself along the other girl’s spine. Heart rabbiting so hard she’s sure her rescuer can hear it.
“Don’t let me catch her sniffin’ round again without somethin’ to barter!” the man growls impotently, clearly wanting the last word but unwilling to go toe-to-toe with Paige - either she’s familiar enough to warrant trepidation, or the frowning faces turned his way are inspiring a bit of guilt. He stomps away with the bracelets shoved into his pocket.
Soleil waits a few long moments before she nuzzles into the back of Paige’s clothes, whining soft and low. “Is he gone?” It’s a whisper, though still loud enough to be heard from behind.
everyone around her seemed brighter and better
for having known her
for having known her
