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Tayui watched as the other woman kneaded her legs, wishing she did not have to spread these sorrows. She wished so many things could be true and right again, but recognized that there was no way to make someone return from death. While she hoped Noir could some day come back to her as a ghost, just so Tayui could make sure she knew she loved her, no matter who her father was, she did not want to hold out for such a miracle. Shaeniire had returned to her, and so had Fly at one point. But Ember – the one whom Ember Phoenix was named after – had not returned, and it had taken two years before Agani found her in the flesh. No matter how many ghosts Tayui had seen, her experience would in no way make Noir more likely to return to her.
Tayui whipped her head up in surprise when the other woman exhaled and focused her gaze back on the wolfdog’s features. Her heart raced for a split second, but now that she realized the noise was not a threat, she could feel herself calming down a little. Tayui tried to look away when the other woman spoke, but found herself drawn in to the other’s sea foam green eyes. Tayui could not help but think how similar Alaine’s eyes were to Ocèane’s: pale, but so very full of life. Tayui clung to the possibility of life, holding the shade of green so sharply in her mind that she worried she might give herself a headache.
It was a small price to pay for hope.
Tayui flinched when Alaine stepped forward, and then relaxed slightly. She reached out with her hand, hesitating for a moment, before taking a step closer as well. She moved to place her hand on Alaine’s shoulder, frowning somewhat in concentration. Simple physical contact had never been this difficult before.
“Yes,” she agreed. “But, thank you. For…” Tayui trailed off, unsure of what Alaine had done so far. She could not find the words to express herself. But suddenly, inspiration: “helping. Croimáthair,” she added, attempting the word, stumbling over it, and letting her slight Quebecois accent to colour it differently.