The afternoon happened the way final afternoons on islands happened, which was with the specific quality of things that were ending and knew they were. The assessment work was complete, the documentation was packed, the camp was organized for the next morning's extraction, and there was nothing left that required immediate attention.
Rex went to the shoreline with the fishing line rather than the bow, which was the version of fishing that required less active work and more sitting near the water, and he sat on the dark volcanic sand and let the afternoon be what it was.
'For now... I'll just enjoy this moment while making them think about what just happened earlier.'
He was aware, without turning around, that both Talyra and Aisella were watching him from the camp.
