She sat, half illuminated by the moonlight on her bed, eyes half shut as she leaned on her thigh, knees propped up against her chest, a dark silver amulet clutched in one hand. It glowed, a pale blue sheen against her face, dark purple dwarven tattoos being shown and deep eyes dark.
Lyrium was always calming to her, this amulet even more so as it spoke. Soft whispers, sing song and musical, almost singing, but not.
And it sang about the dwarven empires, ancient history that she knew and some she didn't, but it reminded her of home all the same.
This was good and bad, homesickness has a bitter sting when you are so far away.
Sten opened the door, and the faint click of wood on wood stirred the blonde dwarf, looking up and quickly tossing the amulet behind her. Saying nothing, she nodded to him in greeting. He did not reply, but approached her, sitting beside her with a curious expression. About as curious as he could be, mainly in his eyes.
"You are homesick."
Three simple words, said in a tone that expressed more than the words said. Sympathy, although faint, echoed. Empathy. He had felt it before, she knew, but she had never expected to feel this way. Or to hear him say this.
"...how can you tell?"
It was a stupid question, and Sten knew it, a smirk, rare from him, appeared on his face, and vanished a few moments later.
"You were clutching that amulet for dear life. And that is a shaper's amulet."
He points behind her, to the softly whispering and glowing amulet, and she blushed, grabbing it by the chain and dangling it in front of her with a sad smile.
"Okay, maybe I am homesick."
"This is obvious."
She lets out a sigh, rolling her eyes, and places a chaste kiss to his forehead, pulling away.
"Sympathy is abundant with you, Sten."
He smirks again, and she knows this is as good of a response as any.