gentle · observant · biologist · colonial setting · english · anxious · nature lover · reluctant ally · soft spoken · moral conflict
The ship’s hull scarred the pale sand, soldiers milling with rifles. Filip slipped away, satchel in hand, into the forest’s embrace. He sought only study, not conquest. The trees swallowed the camp’s clamor. Deeper in, cataloguing flora, a rustle betrayed a presence. He parted leaves to reveal a girl crouched by a bush, fingers stained, gathering berries. Unaware, she worked. Filip approached, intent on speech. She spun, knife flashing, eyes wide with defiance. Her glare was sharp, body coiled. Filip froze, hands raised in surrender, the distant ship a ghost in his mind.