PENUMBRA (how the flowers grow)

18. Snowdrop

"Hope and consolation"

On the night after their third day on the road, everyone sits around the campfire, relaxing. Robb is in his hound form, curled up and twitching in his sleep. Vetsalla strokes his head, chatting in low tones with L'gaoia and Alinrou. Ag'druch is snoozing on Robb's side, barely taking up any space. Eggel has fallen asleep in a little ball over by Tremas, who leans up against a tree, fletching arrows while he hums a jaunty Elven song. Over a little ways from them, Jitho and Sabina sit together, talking in Shasani. Sabina smiles slightly and laughs at whatever Jitho says. Jitho grins wickedly, curling her ratlike tail onto her lap.

"So, they haven't rejected me, though," Xaniphe says, sounding hopeful. "Maybe I should get them something nice while we're in Stillhaven. There will probably be something pretty and worthy of them there."

Tuluvey nods his approval. "Ask to brush their hair."

Flix looks up from their project, some sort of beaded earrings, and looks Xaniphe in the eyes. "Make sure to bring me some food. Maybe some tea with rose petals. That's romantic. If someone ever brought me rose tea I would so swoon."

Tuluvey laughs. "Come over here then and sort this all out."

"No," Flix says. "I do enjoy being courted."

Xaniphe giggles and twirls a curl of bright yellow hair around her finger and bats her eyelashes at Flix. "And I do enjoy courting. We could go off right now, if you'd like. Into the woods."

Flix cocks their head. "Perhaps later."

I'm glad they've decided to go for each other. They'd be so sweet together.

Tuluvey listens to Xaniphe gush about Flix while Flix is sat right next to them, listening quietly with a pleased smile on their face. Eventually, Xaniphe tires and yawns loudly, announcing that she's going to go to bed. She takes a blanket from the cart and wraps it around herself like a cape and lays down next to Alinrou, head in his lap.

"I'll be right back, Flix," Tuluvey whispers.

"All right." They smile at him and return to their art.

Tuluvey heads over to Jitho and Sabina and greets the two of them. "Jitho, do you mind if I borrow her?"

Jitho giggles. "Course not."

Jitho goes and seats herself down next to Tremas, proceeding to interrupt his work with whatever thought that has crossed her mind. Tuluvey turns to Sabina, worrying his lip between his teeth.

"Let's go ask Flix tonight," he says. "They might be able to help you, remember?"

"I don't know," Sabina answers, avoiding his eyes. "I don't know. I don't want to bother them. They might not be able to do anything."

Tuluvey sits down next to her and gently takes her gloved hand. He's been trying to coax her into saying something, but she keeps talking herself out of it and he's had enough of it. "Sabina," he says gently. "It will be fine. Let's just go and see what they say, all right, achere?"

"Okay," she agrees, but she looks tense.

He lets go of her hand and stands up, heading back over to Flix with Sabina. Flix looks up as they sit down next to them. They have their wings tucked up against themself, feathers slightly puffed in contentment.

"Flix," Tuluvey starts, thinking it might be easier if he prompts the conversation so Sabina doesn't have to waste her energy in asking the question. "Sabina was wondering about something and I told her you might be able to help her."