Whether or not the underhanded slight was deliberate, Teroiah did not heed it except with a slightly sharper look.

Sabine looked at the bright spot gravely. "Not many other things could be that powerful."

Gro-Tagnud was more direct. "It'll take some time to observe how these skaafin are moving and how the terrain can be used here. There sure are plenty of features to exploit -- might even gain an initial foothold with superficial casualties. Rapid advance, hop, skip, and a jump, and a hard fight to approach that light. But..." He looked up from the map. "We have to know if this extra power going to require a different strategy."

[hr]
The only movements Lunise made were to hesitantly change into the fresh dress Meesei had brought. Meesei might have noticed the small, almost amused sigh Lunise made when she first picked it up. Without asking her, there was no knowing whether or not the reaction meant Meesei had picked the dress Lunise would have chosen. Nevertheless, it was a dependable maroon flared dress that wrapped and fastened close to the left side of her front, hemmed with a thin line of black silk. The shoes she brought with her to the island were simple enough to match. Even with all the time spend changing, she went right back to staring out to the sea by the time Meesei returned.

Lunise closed her eyes and wrapped a hand around over the top of Meesei's.

"I do not have an answer," she admitted. "This whole...possibility is such an unknown." She showed her teeth and forced out words that Meesei seldom heard from her. "[i]I am afraid.[/i] What would you do if it was your mother on the other side of the portal?"