"Not yet," Arialla admitted. "I'm pretty new to the shift -- I haven't had a chance to use it much. Dolphins bring good fortune, though -- or so the sailors and fishermen at home believed. Like my father."
If this were a year ago, Arialla would have grown somber and even tearful at the mention of her father, whom she loved, whom she would never see again. But she'd gotten stronger since then, and now the mention brought her more comfort than pain. Speaking about her father, recalling things he'd taught her -- it felt like she was keeping his memory alive in this strange place.
Arialla laughed too, at the image of a god brought through by the Voice's magic. She didn't take the possibility seriously either, but the idea was amusing. "I think they'd be even more upset at the move than I was. No, Caido has enough gods -- meaning no disrespect, of course."
Then Arialla blushed at Mildew's compliment. "Thank you. You're right; I wouldn't dare disagreeing with her -- or you -- on the matter. I am honored, and proud, to hear such things from both of you."
please don't take my sunshine away
