Ask Your Mate How She's Doing

Your mate's been awfully quiet lately, so you ask, "Are you all right?"

She doesn't respond right away, but finally says, "I'm frightened. There's no trees, no life. I've lived my entire life in the forest. I learned how to listen to the songs of the trees, learned how to sing back. They would comfort me whenever I was scared. But now there's nothing. Nothing but silence. No comfort, no songs. I don't know what I should do."

Though you don't know any of these songs she speaks up, you try and think of a way she'll feel safe. Getting an idea, you pick her up and carry her in your arms. Before she has the chance to question you, you press her head up against your chest, and say, "Listen to my heart. Focus on the sounds it makes. Don't think about anything else. My heart beats for you, and as long as it does, I shall not let any harm come to you."

She closes her eyes, and takes slow, deep breaths, as she focuses on your heart. You can feel her trembling body slowly come to ease, and she becomes more relaxed the more she listens to your heart.

"Feel better?" you ask.

She runs her hand along your chest and smiles. "Yes. Thank you."