20.Jun.18, 01:56 AM
Dessa kept up her enthusiasm and cheerfulness as she played the game with the child, doing her best to be enthusiastic and hopefully pull the little girl out of her shell. It wasn’t working, but Dessa was patient and she didn’t mind; it was clear the child had been through a lot, if not in life, than simply since her mother had been attacked. No one in their right mind could expect the child to be happy and full of beans while her mother was so injured and unwell.
When little Nlani fell asleep – Dessa had been watching her progress towards sleep with quiet amusement – the woman allowed the silence to tumble down around her and her injured companion without contempt. She enjoyed silence, and while it felt a little tight, it didn’t bother her, content to let Onari be alone with her thoughts; perhaps the woman would sleep. She’d certainly need the rest to help her begin to heal.
Turning her head at the sound of Onari’s voice, Dessa gazed down at the woman quietly, considering her and the words she’d spoken. “You are welcome,” Dessa said gently, not for the first time, her small smile bringing added warmth to the sincerity of her words. Brushing some strands of loose hair from her face, Dessa nodded once in confirmation of Onari’s explanation. “I understand,” she said gently, eyes sad but not prodding further. Glancing forward to make sure nothing had cropped up to cause issue to their travels – from potholes to robbers – Dessa shifted her seat and sat so she was turned more towards Onari. She didn’t speak for several moments.
“I have a small guest room where you and your daughter can stay.” She said, watching Onari’s face. “There is only one bed, so depending on how restless a sleeper she is,” she nodded at the child, eyebrows furrowing just slightly before her attention shifted back to Onari’s face. “I can set up a cot on the floor if it will be more comfortable for you.” Her wound certainly wouldn’t heal in a timely fashion if it was being beaten at night by a child’s wild dreaming.
When little Nlani fell asleep – Dessa had been watching her progress towards sleep with quiet amusement – the woman allowed the silence to tumble down around her and her injured companion without contempt. She enjoyed silence, and while it felt a little tight, it didn’t bother her, content to let Onari be alone with her thoughts; perhaps the woman would sleep. She’d certainly need the rest to help her begin to heal.
Turning her head at the sound of Onari’s voice, Dessa gazed down at the woman quietly, considering her and the words she’d spoken. “You are welcome,” Dessa said gently, not for the first time, her small smile bringing added warmth to the sincerity of her words. Brushing some strands of loose hair from her face, Dessa nodded once in confirmation of Onari’s explanation. “I understand,” she said gently, eyes sad but not prodding further. Glancing forward to make sure nothing had cropped up to cause issue to their travels – from potholes to robbers – Dessa shifted her seat and sat so she was turned more towards Onari. She didn’t speak for several moments.
“I have a small guest room where you and your daughter can stay.” She said, watching Onari’s face. “There is only one bed, so depending on how restless a sleeper she is,” she nodded at the child, eyebrows furrowing just slightly before her attention shifted back to Onari’s face. “I can set up a cot on the floor if it will be more comfortable for you.” Her wound certainly wouldn’t heal in a timely fashion if it was being beaten at night by a child’s wild dreaming.