[SE] Oh, Valley of Plenty

Maea Big dreamers shoot for open skies "I've been away for a long time," she explained softly, "and I haven't had the chance to stop by since I returned. I wasn't even aware... last I heard, she was still trying to make it work with Emmett." How fortunes changed. Maea had heard that her neighbor and childhood acquaintance had not made it through the year, and the loss of him stung, like with so many others. But death and the passing of familiar faces was unfortunately as much a part of her life as it ever had been. The fall of the barrier had done nothing to change that. So Maea forced herself to say his name as though it didn't hurt, as if this void of missing days and lost moments did not make her want to bash her head with clenched fists and scream. Slipping onto the proffered seat, she tried to relax and make herself comfortable, even though she had yet to accustom herself to the surroundings. At the offer for refreshments, she heistated but nodded gratefully - she'd never admit that she'd eaten less than she should for a while, and that sitting inside with a proper roof overhead was a newfound luxury. "Thank you, yes. If it's not too much trouble, " she replied. Even knowing she'd just made a bargain for it, Maea felt odd to impose before opening hours. Stiff, tense, as if waiting for something to go wrong, for Sunjata to pounce, or turn sour. The sudden appearance of the griffin was a godsend as it gave her something new to consider; the tiny howler made her face light up in a genuine smile, softening the cast of her eyes into something far kinder. "Oh, she is precious! A griffin, isn't she? Though not the same kind as Isuma..." Eagerly Maea held out her hands for the small creature, inviting it closer should it so desire.