268 AC
By the Torrentine
The sun hung low, casting golden patches of light through the thick leaves overhead. The river rushed by steadily, shimmering like liquid glass in the evening glow.
Mars sat on a fallen log, his feet dangling in the cool water, while Oberyn was further upstream, hurling stones at fish in a hopeless contest. Elia had stayed behind with the Dayne ladies, far too polite to sneak away.
"You're quiet today," came a voice behind him.
Mars turned — Ashara. Her dark hair shimmered in the sunlight, and the hem of her dress was damp. She must have waded through the shallows to get there.
"I'm… just thinking," he mumbled.
[Emotional uncertainty detected. Possible cause: interpersonal tension.]
Mars flinched inwardly. Not now, Sage.
Ashara sat beside him, tossing pebbles into the river. "About what?"
"Oh… stuff."
[Inadequate response. Risk of social awkwardness: high.]
"Sage, shut up," Mars grumbled under his breath, wincing as Ashara gave him a puzzled look.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing! I meant… the water. It's… uh… talking to me."
Brilliant. Even worse.
To his surprise, Ashara laughed. "You're strange, Mars Martell."
"Get used to it," he muttered, smirking.
She smirked back.
They sat in comfortable silence for a while. Mars idly made a few droplets dance across his fingers, casually — or so he thought.
"How'd you do that?" Ashara asked suddenly, her violet eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Mars hesitated. Should he tell her?
[Trustworthy individual identified. Recommendation: cautious disclosure.]
"Really? Now you're trying to be my wingman?" he shot back in his mind.
He sighed. "It's… a long story. Maybe someday I'll tell you."
Ashara nodded. "Whenever you're ready."
He kind of liked that.
As the sun dipped behind the mountains, neither of them noticed how a faint breeze stirred the grass around Ashara's feet — the leaves shifting just a little toward her, like something unseen answering her presence.
And for now, they were only two children by the river:
One with a crazy voice in his head.
The other with a smile that made the world feel a little less heavy