Saltwater incense led Tenryū from the dark, bleeding forest to Teekon's shores. The conifers thinned into an open expanse of rolling hills and, beyond them, dunes of sand. Lapping at the foamy shore was the largest body of water the young priest had ever seen! Though the winter winds pulled sharply at his alabaster pelt, he was drawn to the ocean... Umi... yes, that is what the elders had called it.
The sound of breaking waves and reeling gulls were new to his ears, and the sea's odor was pleasantly pungent. He crested a small pile of stones among a dune, and peered down to the beach. A pale gray wolf danced towards the water's edge. She was alone, but seemingly just as delighted by the grandiose sight... her waving tail tattling. Tenryū's plush ears cupped forward as he descended towards her, unaware that this was her first time seeing the Pacific, as well.
Tenryū noticed the brightness drain from the woman when they caught sight of one another. She became serene and assumed a neutral, borderline submissive, posture. Her quiet nature tempered the man's more curious approach and his pace slowed in response, as if she would become spooked should he move too quickly.
"Ohayo gozaimasu," he greeted with a deep, though gentle, tone. Tenryū stopped beside her, though he left a healthy space between them. Burnished eyes flicked towards her unusual pelt. It appeared diluted and smokey as opposed to a simple grey, matched with equally pale skin. "Good morning," the priest corrected, speaking the common tongue, though his voice retained a heavy accent. "This is my first time seeing such great water," he added, turning away to face the rolling tides. "There is nothing like it, where I am from." He paused and took a deep breath. "It is very beautiful."
The man fell silent and closed his eyes, as if he was enjoying some great symphony... and he was. Nature's sounds were like an orchestra to his ears, and this new song -- this ocean song -- was like hearing Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata for the first time.
