Valencia smirked at Encantador’s response. The idea of anything that could be even remotely considered as ‘settling down’ was, at least right now, entirely repulsive to her youthful, adventurous soul. It would be many years before Valencia would resign herself to voluntarily spending more than a couple of days in the same place, and an even more indeterminable amount of time before she even thought about the traditional lifestyle of playing happy families with anyone.

“No,” she answered simply, her smile unapologetic and warm gaze unfaltering.

After a thoughtful moment of pause the question that fell from Encantador’s lips was completely unexpected. Valencia’s grin faded into a more sombre, contemplative expression, and she felt the unfamiliar niggle of agitation in the back of her mind as she looked into her brother’s kind, pleading eyes.

Their memories of their old home were different, although Valencia had been too young to know much of what Encantador had experienced. She hadn’t lived there long before their father died, and she hadn’t even known him well enough at that young age to be strongly stricken by grief. And yet, as she had grown older, she had always felt a certain regret—a certain sadness—that not only had her father died, but that she had not even been able to fully appreciate her loss.

She couldn’t help but wonder if a visit would hurt. Whether the place had changed—whether it could make her feel something.

“No,” she replied. “No, I have not. But perhaps I should,” she said quietly, almost to herself.

Valencia had recovered quickly, but she chose her words more carefully now and the playfulness had fallen away from her tone. She paused, thinking for a second, before speaking again with more confidence, a sudden idea (or excuse) blossoming on her tongue.

“But I have been meaning to go, just like you. How about I visit on your behalf?” she proposed a little awkwardly, but with a persuasive smile reclaiming her lips. “I can pass on your apologies to your acquaintances, or any messages you might have for them. Then I wouldn’t seem so rude for intruding—not that that’s ever bothered me,” she joked with another short, sharp laugh, trying to lighten the mood again.

Valencia had something of a penchant for wandering where she wasn’t invited.

tell me your secrets and ask me your questions