Magnolia’s eyes had found the partially turned sketches in Caelum’s hand. It only took a moment before the realization set in and her eyes shot back to his. The gentle warmth still on his face. He didn’t flinch. Though, she ultimately seemed to relax.

	[b]“It is nice to meet you as well,”[/b] she said with a smile of her own.

	[i]And that voice![/i]

	[i]That was it.[/i] What Caelum hadn’t realized he’d been waiting for. That simple reciprocal gesture. Her shy smile. Those few words, wrapped in her unique timbre and lilt. His visage and stance betrayed nothing—but his little heart…

	Magnolia finally broke their shared gaze. Caelum had been lost in her smile. The sudden absence jarred him for a few, rapid beats. She bent over to her companion as Loke faced away and danced a slight distance from them, allowing them to enjoy the serenade while still being able to exchange words.

	[i]Thank you,[/i] Caelum thought as he watched Loke for but a moment. 

	[b]“And this is Muricle…”[/b] Magnolia said, hefting the little froglet in her arms. [b]“He is a frog.”[/b] 

	[i]Adorable.[/i]

	Caelum had watched her move, catching her embarrassment after she finished her thought. For her sake, he continued as if he hadn't noticed.

	[color=a36209]“Hello, Muricle!”[/color] Caelum said brightly to the little creature. [color=a36209]“And what a cute little frog [i]you[/i] turned out to be.”[/color] He continued, calmly rising from his seat on the roots and bending down to meet Muricle’s face up close.

	[color=a36209]“You are always welcome here at my home, if you ever wish to visit.”[/color] He gave him a few gentle pats on the head.

	Caelum then leaned in conspiratorially.

	[color=a36209]“Thanks for hopping this way, buddy,”[/color] he whispered, loud enough for Magnolia to hear if the Lagoon willed it. He sealed the moment with a wink. Muricle’s eyes blinked one after the other. Caelum grinned, choosing to believe it was the frog’s way of returning the gesture.

	The ash-clad sparrowman then stood up to his full height. Smiling gently to Magnolia once more. He casually lifted the papers in his hand.

	[color=a36209]“I hope you don’t mind,”[/color] he began. [color=a36209]“Sometimes I like to sketch... The Lagoon, she shows me different things, people, animals... I try to capture moments that feel…”[/color]

	He had never had to put these thoughts into words before, and he was blatantly struggling to do so now. Especially here, on the spot, right in front of [i]her[/i].

	He looked out across the lagoon for a moment or two, before slowly and deliberately returning his gaze back to meet hers.

	[color=a36209]“Well,”[/color] he started. [color=a36209]“Like… [i]this[/i].”[/color]

	He still didn’t know how to convey what it was, but maybe—just maybe—she would still understand what he felt.

	A gentle breeze blew across the water as he held her gaze, the Lagoon sighing through the reeds about them. The scent of the waters graced his senses once more. His subtle smile deepened slightly. To him, it was as if the Lagoon itself was bearing witness.

	And she approved.