[no words from the lion, but a persistent gaze, a notion of understanding...and respect. this one aided it before, after all; it may become hazy for the human boy, but not for this. its eyes crinkle a little, the way a man's might when smiling, and lowered its head again to stare toward Bariyan.
the boy's hand reaches over and grazes the unhappy man's cheek, sending words and feeling in a whisper:
This is different, but not wrong. You are changed, too, and changing. That is living. That is good.
no subject
the boy's hand reaches over and grazes the unhappy man's cheek, sending words and feeling in a whisper:
This is different, but not wrong. You are changed, too, and changing. That is living. That is good.
poor man. but he is loved very much.]