It's been seven days since Lalli and Onni had both vanished. Neither had left word that they were going anywhere, but neither had taken any of their things, either. So, Reynir figured, that was a good sign. Even when Onni had left for Saimaa, he had left a note. It had been misleading, sure, but it had been something.
Besides, there is the presence of that talking owl of Onni's, still there in their home. Reynir makes sure she gets fed, gentles her when she seems worried, and he takes her presence as an indication that Onni will be back. He wouldn't leave her here, and if he had left permanently, surely she would go too, right?
Or maybe he is just kidding himself. He doesn't know. And he doesn't have anyone to ask.
Reynir keeps up good spirits until the evening of the sixth day. That night is quiet, too quiet, and he doesn't have it in him to keep himself from slipping into melancholy. He's never spent much time on his own. Reynir had lived with his family, and then he had been on the ship to Denmark, and then with the expedition. Here, though... he's alone. There are the friends he has made, but they aren't... his.
He looks for Onni everywhere in his dreams that night, and though his area is still there, there's no sight of him. Not even a feather. The seventh day he spends in silent woe, most of it up at the ranch, looking after Anne, or playing with Kisa, or cleaning the kitchen in a desultory fashion.
When Reynir hears the door opening to their quarters, his heart gives a lurch. He has imagined he heard someone returning, before now. He just stays still, listening for footsteps, for any indication that someone really is back... ]
for onni
It's been seven days since Lalli and Onni had both vanished. Neither had left word that they were going anywhere, but neither had taken any of their things, either. So, Reynir figured, that was a good sign. Even when Onni had left for Saimaa, he had left a note. It had been misleading, sure, but it had been something.
Besides, there is the presence of that talking owl of Onni's, still there in their home. Reynir makes sure she gets fed, gentles her when she seems worried, and he takes her presence as an indication that Onni will be back. He wouldn't leave her here, and if he had left permanently, surely she would go too, right?
Or maybe he is just kidding himself. He doesn't know. And he doesn't have anyone to ask.
Reynir keeps up good spirits until the evening of the sixth day. That night is quiet, too quiet, and he doesn't have it in him to keep himself from slipping into melancholy. He's never spent much time on his own. Reynir had lived with his family, and then he had been on the ship to Denmark, and then with the expedition. Here, though... he's alone. There are the friends he has made, but they aren't... his.
He looks for Onni everywhere in his dreams that night, and though his area is still there, there's no sight of him. Not even a feather. The seventh day he spends in silent woe, most of it up at the ranch, looking after Anne, or playing with Kisa, or cleaning the kitchen in a desultory fashion.
When Reynir hears the door opening to their quarters, his heart gives a lurch. He has imagined he heard someone returning, before now. He just stays still, listening for footsteps, for any indication that someone really is back... ]