As her feelings filled the bond Hadama's stoic expression softened into a genuine smile and he tilted his head in acceptance of her returned compliment. He let his own pleasure at her invitation to join her at Safrin's shrine warm the bond as well. Beneath the surface of the water the slender, whiplike end of his tail lashed slowly as Ray made her choice.
It alleviated a large burden from his shoulders and allowed him to breathe a little deeper as he nodded in agreement. "After LongNight," he suggested. "Flowerbirth is a good time for new beginnings." And it would give Ray time to make any changes or hire help for her clinic if she thought she'd need it. He had managed to hold the region together so far on his own, and a few more weeks would make little difference. The LongNight parties of the land would be an enjoyable diversion. Beneath the sea, the City's eternal bioluminescent twilight was hardly affected at all, though a matching week of holiday meant a little extra chaos to tend to.
It alleviated a large burden from his shoulders and allowed him to breathe a little deeper as he nodded in agreement. "After LongNight," he suggested. "Flowerbirth is a good time for new beginnings." And it would give Ray time to make any changes or hire help for her clinic if she thought she'd need it. He had managed to hold the region together so far on his own, and a few more weeks would make little difference. The LongNight parties of the land would be an enjoyable diversion. Beneath the sea, the City's eternal bioluminescent twilight was hardly affected at all, though a matching week of holiday meant a little extra chaos to tend to.
