Terra wandered to the edge of the camp, stretching his paws and letting the cool air ruffle his fur. A shadow moved from behind a low cart.
“I thought you might like some company,” came a teasing voice.
Terra looked up to see Ivy, green-scaled and bright-eyed, holding something small in her claws. “What is it?” he asked, tilting his head.
Ivy sat cross-legged on a flat stone, holding out a bracelet — braided silver wire with tiny stones that glimmered in the firelight.
“I made it,” she said, pride in her voice. “Just for fun. Thought you might appreciate it.”
Terra raised an eyebrow, carefully examining the craftsmanship. “You made this yourself?”
Ivy grinned, nudging the bracelet with a claw. “Of course. Gobolds do more than just break stone, you know.”
Terra turned it over in his paws, impressed by the detail. “It’s… really beautiful.”
Ivy leaned forward slightly, brushing a braid from her face. “You think so? Most people just shrug at it. I didn’t expect you to notice.”
Terra’s ears twitched as he studied the bracelet. “The patterns… the metal… it’s almost… smooth and shiny.”
Ivy froze mid-smile. Her scales tinged faintly with a blush. She had never been complimented in such a way before. The words — though casual to a cat like terra — were considered very flirty in kobold culture. She found it cute, but kept her reaction hidden, hiding behind a playful grin.
“I… thank you,” Terra said, carefully placing the bracelet back in her paws. “It’s thoughtful.”
Ivy’s grin softened. “Don’t let it get to your head, Cat-boy. I make things for fun, not for compliments. But… I guess it’s nice to know someone notices.”
For a long moment, they just sat together in the firelight, the warmth of the camp around them, the night stretching silently. No words were necessary beyond that quiet exchange — a subtle spark that had passed between them, unspoken but undeniable.