Common

When he speaks, the mare jumps, and Lucien takes a half-step back. He didn’t mean to scare her – he didn’t even mean to surprise her. She’s watching him very closely, bright eyes examining his form. Lucien tries to make himself as non-threatening as possible (like when he’s trying to avoid Sloane and Eloisa picking on him – loose, submissive posture, limited eye contact, staying still). It seems to work, but for good measure he adds, “Sorry,” sheepishly. She doesn’t run from him, so Lucien takes it as a good sign.

He lets out a surprised little chuckle when she says she didn’t drown and then grins at her. “Not drowning is a good thing,” Lucien agrees with her. She doesn’t lean in any closer, clearly uninterested in greeting him. That’s fine – after all, Lucien isn’t anything to her but a stranger. Maybe even a threat since she barely finished her swim and he came up to talk to her.

She speaks again, and it isn’t a demand for Lucien to back off, so he stays. “I’m glad,” he tells her sincerely. “I’m Lucien,” he adds. “I live in the Hills, on Salem. Are you – are you new here? On the Islands? Most people who come through the Commons are.”