"Parents really would do anything for their children…"
The soft, almost broken way that Talauia said it swept over Ashlynn like a sneaker wave, drawing her into a world so filled with sorrow and hurt that she was momentarily disoriented. Without thinking, she reached out and wrapped an arm around the slender witch, pulling her into a soft embrace and gently stroking her hair the same way she'd once comforted her younger sister.
"It's fine if you want to talk about it," Ashlynn said when she saw the stream of tears silently spilling from Talauia's multi-faceted amethyst eyes. "It's also fine if you don't. We're here if you need us," she said, glancing briefly at Heila who hovered uncertainly nearby. "Or we can leave you alone for a while. Whatever you need," she whispered.
