[color=#166FC2][h3]Cloven Brevis[/h3][/color][hr]
[indent][indent]Astoria approached him with a sandwich, her lithe voice a reminder of the song he heard on his first day in Crocus. A reminder of that river his carriage passed on that first serene day, of the cheerful notes that floated on seemingly sad currents. He often wondered why she kept herself so busy with guildwork, cause her endless movement was just that, busywork. It was meant to distract herself from… something. 

He was quick and watchful about grabbing the sandwich; old habits and all, the older men used to smack the Little Jokes for giggles during food handouts. Cloven wondered what could be lurking beneath her surface, was it sad depths? or turbulent guilt? maybe even thrashing rage; probably better not to pry, people were more complicated than oxygen and life. 

He held the elaborate sandwich, [color=#166FC2]“Guess you’re right. I was feeling a bit famish. Thanks, on both ends.”[/color] 

Deeply, almost incessantly, he felt the grim pull towards the plant-wizard gnawing away at him still. So he hunkered down on his spot, unmoving as he stole a bite from the sandwich in his hand. It was toasty, near hot. 

Swallowing his food, he said, [color=#166FC2]“I’ll join you and the others later.”[/color]

And that was just fine because not a moment later, Felix was boasting or maybe complaining about being a strong-kid. Teamwork was important, Cloven thought, but so was knowing one’s limits. He bit into his sandwich once more, turning his gaze away.[/indent][/indent]