"Her ends are split but they’re curled up with the illusion of being neat. Soft spirals hiding damage.."

One = spiritual protection, One = self-discipline through harm, Both = products of the same control-driven culture.

The Toll of the Sea isn’t just a title; it’s a warning: you must pay into a system of expectation.

Not to say it didn’t look good, but when you got up close, the split ends looked at you first.