Kaleb liked to spend his time in the jungle. He wanted to be a spice delver at some point and knowing how to handle its environment was essential. He wasn't allowed to go too far into the jungle, which suited him just fine as that meant that sometimes Esra would accompany him, as she had today. She was wearing a flowing yellow dress that complemented her dark skin and silver hair beautifully. He was working up the courage to ask her about her women's deck when he spotted an orchid not too far up a nearby tree.
He broke from her side clambering up the tree with practiced ease using the muscles he'd developed doing this day in and day out. The flower, deep purple with flecks of silver at its center, was rare—just like her. Sliding back down the tree, Kaleb landed lightly on the forest floor.
"Showing off again?" she teased as he approached.
"Only if it worked," Kaleb replied, holding up the orchid. "For you."
Esra reached for the flower, her fingers brushing his. "You didn't have to," she said trailing off.
"I wanted to," he said cutting in. "It reminded me of you. Rare. Strong." He hesitated his cheeks flushing. "Beautiful."
Esra laughed softly, the sound had a musical lilt. "Flatterer, you're just practicing for your First Tide, aren't you?"
Kaleb grinned, though the mention of his First Tide sent a wave of anxiety through him. "Maybe. But I mean it."
She spent a moment affixing the flower in her hair nestling it near her pointed ear, the unmistakable sign of her elven heritage. Kaleb unconsciously tucked his unruly hair behind his very human ear. They spent some time walking through the jungle, the silence between them was easy.
"I was thinking," he began hesitantly, glancing at her. "About my First Tide. About you."
