[open] stare down at the wonder of it all

Lena

and sweetest in the gale is heard
and sore must be the storm

The blink hares didn’t stand their ground – launching, teleporting, like streaks of light throughout the brush at Ophelia’s presence – and so the monkey has her all to herself for a moment. For a moment the Caretaker pondered over scolding the primate, for she’d been there to tend to those sick and wounded, but the laughter buoyed instead, as the tail swung along her shoulder, and the companion began to groom her.

Besides, there was a reprimand in the air anyways, and her head swung towards the voice, likely taking Ophelia with the abrupt movement. “It’s all right,” she assured, the gentle smile beckoning across her features once more. She recognized Falke instantly – mostly because he’d been the main reason she’d been permitted to traverse to Torchline (an experience she wouldn’t forget, no matter the extenuating circumstances). “Yes. How are you feeling?”

that could abash the little bird
that kept so many warm