Soleil
Paige’s smile is warmer than the sun overhead could ever hope to be, reaching that cold place inside that no rays could ever melt. The part that aches and throbs with each moment she spends wondering where her family is, tormented by the last moments she recalls of them. Luka is her other half, as he has always been, but Paige’s hand squeezing hers back firmly puts something to rights in Soleil that she doesn’t need to know the details of to be able to appreciate.
“Paige,” she parrots, voice warm and overflowing with immediate adoration as she lets herself be guided along like a boat on a string. Happy to float along in the current of Paige’s wake, wherever it may take her. “I don’t know. Older than I was at home,” her words come slow and uncertain. “Seven, I think?” (At this time she is). It feels right. Maybe it’s The Voice, letting her know in some way as a gift after portaling her in. Whatever the cause, it’s the only answer she has.
They arrive quicker than expected, and Sol is a little reluctant to drop Paige’s hand, but the area is secluded and peaceful and the promise of shells is enough to coerce her into that small measure of independence. Scrambling nimbly up the log, she peers over at the tide pool and gasps with delight. “Wow! There’s so many!” Slithering down the other side of the log she lands in the shallow pools with a splash, scarcely daring to blink. “We didn’t have shells at home. Only snow!” And ice and other beautiful fractals of course, but nothing so delightfully fun as seashells.
“Paige,” she parrots, voice warm and overflowing with immediate adoration as she lets herself be guided along like a boat on a string. Happy to float along in the current of Paige’s wake, wherever it may take her. “I don’t know. Older than I was at home,” her words come slow and uncertain. “Seven, I think?” (At this time she is). It feels right. Maybe it’s The Voice, letting her know in some way as a gift after portaling her in. Whatever the cause, it’s the only answer she has.
They arrive quicker than expected, and Sol is a little reluctant to drop Paige’s hand, but the area is secluded and peaceful and the promise of shells is enough to coerce her into that small measure of independence. Scrambling nimbly up the log, she peers over at the tide pool and gasps with delight. “Wow! There’s so many!” Slithering down the other side of the log she lands in the shallow pools with a splash, scarcely daring to blink. “We didn’t have shells at home. Only snow!” And ice and other beautiful fractals of course, but nothing so delightfully fun as seashells.
everyone around her seemed brighter and better
for having known her
for having known her
