Willowy legs moved with grace in spite of the frigid bite that accompanied the rolling waves. Eos breathed heavily in the salt air and brine, tasting the remains of autumn in the winds that rolled across the coast. The naiad would be grateful for the sea when the winter rolled in. The waves would keep some of the change at bay, at least until the snow became too heavy. Nonetheless, Eos was pleased to be beside the water once more. The length of her legs seemed to move with purpose when lapped at by the lingering waves. Her sea green gaze followed the coming and going of each stretch of water until she found herself longing for her home. Eos knew that there was nothing she could return to. Nothing remained of Karthas save for the tattered sands and battered trees. She had moved on to new horizons.
The length of her strides seemed to decrease until the trim creature came to a full halt. Her toes were buried in sand and the water rolled restlessly against her ankles, chilling her to the bone. There was a scent in the air that seemed not to belong. Lifting her narrow muzzle upwards, the sea-wolf drew her ears forward and narrowed her brows. Just ahead of her, a shadow flitted across the shore and moved upwards along the coast. The naiad tilted her head only slightly to the side in hopes that she might make out what seemed to be darting so quickly near the water, but she could not make out the shape. A heavy breath fell from her lips and she held her ground, wanting only to put distance between her and the creature.
There was a sound, much like wailing, forcing Eos to lift her skull upwards and toss her ears to their full height. As soon as it had struck the air, it seemed to vanish, leaving the waif-like creature to stand in confusion and alarm. Without warning, a gust of wind swept across the shore and whisked through her pelt, tugging at her flyaway mane teasingly before dying down to nothing more than a slow breeze. Suddenly, the water on her legs was causing bumps to rise along her flesh. Her sea green gaze was cast upwards in the direction of the dark figure, but there was nothing to see. With a slow breath outwards, Eos stepped out of the water and continued her walk along the shoreline, eyes trained ahead.

The chuffing of the male’s voice was carried through the wind, causing Eos to turn her head sharply around to face the stranger. He would have surprised her had his voice been any louder. The fur that had stood along her spine only moments before seemed to flatten and her eyes took on a cold tinge. Eos’ lips became a thin, dark line and she lifted her tail upwards only slightly. They were on unclaimed land, but she was the woman in the interaction, and therefore superior. It did appear that he had summoned her for a reason, however, so she held her ground for a moment longer and frowned at him after offering a once-over of the creature. Dark fur, pale blue eyes, and he carried the scent of another pack on his inky pelt. Eos knew she was not interested the moment she caught wind of him, but she remained in her place for a moment longer.
“Can I help you?” the naiad inquired with a slight tilt of her head. The tone of her voice carried a hint of ice, however the formality of the query would hide it well enough. Another cold breeze tousled the fur along the sea-wolf’s spine, causing her mane to rise upwards in defiance. She was an odd sight; flyaway fur and a frigid expression, standing on the shore of an icy ocean landscape.

It was nearly instantaneous that Eos was disenchanted by the inky male. Not only were his words disrespectful to a lady of the sea, but she could see the cool temper behind his icy gaze. Nonetheless, there was nothing truly impressive about the dark wolf, so she was not entirely bothered by her lack of interest in him. Her inquiry was met with a formal response – as was expected – and then followed by a question of his own. He mentioned another pack that had taken to the edge of the sea, which caused Eos’ head to tilt ever so slightly in an expression of thoughtful confusion. Still new to the lands, she was not altogether familiar with the packs that occupied the Teekon wilderness.
“I am not from the bay,” she spoke quickly to answer his imploration, and so she would not be stuck listening to his drawling tone for much longer. “I belong to Ankyra Sound.” In the back of her mind, Eos was not at all certain as to how this would benefit the dark male. He had implied that she would be of assistance to him, which had – or so she thought – been the reason that he had hailed her in the first place. Still, she supposed it would transpire to something more. If not, it would be of no concern to the sea-wolf.