"... yeah. I do too," he answered after a pause, thoughts darkening his mossy gaze as it watched the ground in front of them.
"That was him. Riven. He was... a really good friend."
The kindest.
Enera was confused, why Levi said River when he meant Riven, but she didn't ask for once. Probably just said it wrong. She nodded solemnly. "He was really nice to me and mama." She didn't know where he'd gone, just that everyone had seemed really worried about it, and her mama hadn't let her go very far for a while. Enera had done her best to assure her that she wouldn't ever leave home. She liked it here too much.
Speaking of mama... "We should hurry back," she said. "Mama gets worried when I don't come back for bed on time, and then she doesn't tell me a story. Mama tells the best stories; you're going to love it!" She offered Levi a wide smile, hoping to cheer his apparently dour mood. Stories always made her feel better, so one would help him too, right?
Enera was pleased to have made another new friend, especially one who knew Riven. If they'd been friends, it must mean Levi was going to be a good friend too. She was sure mama would love having another guest to listen to one of her excellent stories. Happy with her night's accomplishment, Enera pranced on, oblivious to her companion's discomfort as they drew nearer the den. It was going to be a good night.
FADE