ANALA
From a spark to a flame

Anala calmed back down a little, settling into the lull of conversation, the give and take of strangers both looking for connection. She found herself wondering if she'd like her own family, though that was a thought for later cycles; she had barely seen any of the caves, let alone cared for another deeply enough to offer her gem to them.
"Your family sounds lovely, at least to someone who has had none. They seem to care for you with no expectations, and I have a feeling that you needn't worry so much about having your own. I'm sure you'll have all kinds of help if you need it."
She worried for Doru's unhatched sibling. Three cycles after the others had hatched, Anala didn't think it would hatch at all, not that she would voice it. For all she knew of hatching, maybe that was normal. Perhaps the younger of the batch just needed more time?
Her focus drifted back to the other, thoughtful. "I haven't felt love yet, either." She started, "I can't rightfully comment on either topic, but feeling in general? Emotions are personal. That, I can say. Maybe you find something that makes you feel an emotion so powerful that you'd do anything to feel it again, or maybe you won't. You have your whole life ahead of you, as you've said, to find or do what you enjoy. Who knows what you'll discover along the way?" She smiled, hopeful that Doru's curiosity would lead them to something great.
Perhaps she would want a family after all, or at least some friends to share those moments with. She still had a long life to live, and she'd missed out on so much of it.
She nodded along thoughtfully at using words as weapons, and chuckled at being called scrawny. They were right, of course, and she liked those who could joke.
"It might not mean much if we never see each other again, but my name is Anala." She added after a moment of silence. It was the first time she'd spoken it allowed after choosing it, and it was like a match lit up in her chest. Yes, she was Anala.

OOC Notes: