"She should keep it well-polished," the Cynn instructed, as Liya rolled the ring between her fingers, inspecting the fresh engravings. The patterns, all minute and circular and linked, shone a curious flat green as the light caught them. "A patina will interfere with the spellwork."

"Okay," Liya agreed. "Uh, can I put a lacquer on it?"

"You may, yes." The Cynn paused, arms folded, fingers tapping. Then quite suddenly his carefully blank expression sort of fell away, and he fidgeted with his hair, asking, "I do hope Shinobu is being kind to her? Regarding these, ah, changes that she's going through?"

Liya made a face as she reached down the front of her shawl to stow the ring away. "Oh, wull, you know how Shinobu is," she said, but then admitted, "...She's doin' her best, I guess."

"Ah," the Cynn said uncertainly. "Well, good."

Liya went to the door and pushed it partway open, but then paused. A spangle of sunlight caused the Cynn to glance up again as she said, "Uh, thanks again for doin' this."

She turned and gave the Cynn a smile that brought again the blinding sun glancing off an expanse of vivid water--but it was Hawk's smile too, the same crooked grin and knitted brow, and under it was even Hawk's voice murmuring. Liya said,

"I think this will really make her happy."