[Areka D'Rinishad]

Areka eyes softened when she heard Kalenel speak the words brother and protector. She had not siblings. She had not a protector. These words pierced her hard blackened heart. The shell she had built up for years to keep her from feeling the pain of life had been cracked. The pressure of it all was slowly leaking out of the minuscule hole which had formed. And...along with the leaking pressure came a tear. A singled lonely tear started to slid down the Areka's ebony skin. It had been eras since she last cried, Areka had thought it impossible for her to have the salty liquid fall from her eyes. Areka stood from her seat and inched her way told Kalenel and without notice she had curled up in his lap tears streaming down her face, falling silently.

"Brother. Protector." Areka whispered.