Ankyra Sound no more sails

Quick posters preferred <3

The wind whipped and pulled at his fur, the last touches of winter desperately biting at his skin. It was cooler here than it was further inland, not that the rangy creature minded. He scarcely even paid attention to the shiver that wracked his body, instead focusing on overturning the shells that were scattered along the coastline. Licking his lips hungrily, Ruvik peered underneath rocks and into the shallow tide pools, eagerly searching for something to satiate his rumbling stomach. The ever darkening clouds overhead promised rain soon, and so his search was accompanied by a sense of unease and urgency — he didn't want to get caught in an ocean storm.

she had asked to be brought here to scour these particular shores for anything that might be of use to the medical stores she intended to create upon the isle. once delivered, her escort moved not too far away—in case she was in need, or in danger—and she moved on weak limbs very, very slowly. she could walk very short distances independently, but still needed to lean upon others for the vast majority of her journeys. it would still be some time that she would be fully recovered... but the speed of her healing was nothing short of miraculous, for her commitment and dedication to it. 

she left the seaweed—there was no shortage of this arriving to the islands the Nereid family claimed. Galateia looked for anything else, tail lashing behind her. so committed to her task was she that she did not note the man that was present, who was not so close to her that her lack of observing him put her in danger, yet.

The two wolves who joined him upon the shore were quickly noted by the alert boy, whose head whipped up at the sudden scent of others. He immediately backed up, nose pointing to the side in an unsure, submissive gesture. They were not that close, however he had been brought up by a paranoid mother and she had instilled within him the need to be wary of all. It didn't help that he was naturally a cautious sort.

However, the white-furred stranger caught his eye and he stared at her weak, malnourished form with curiousity. Were the pair loners, like he? If so, it looked like winter hadn't been at all kind to the woman. They seemed to be searching, too, and so Ruvik let them be. He kept an ear turned towards them, though, quietly listening in just in case they found something of interest. He was not above theft, after all.

unlike the boy, she did not seek food. there was plenty of this where she now resided. the pearl lurked on the edge of the waters until the forest called to her, the monoliths windsong beckoning her to it. the movement of another caught her eye, however, and her own head swung in his direction. the male presented himself in a manner that did not offend, and so with one ear remaining upon him Galateia stepped toward the forest. the other wolf joined her, but did not come to her side as she had not requested it. the pain she endured tore spread like fire within her limbs, but she did not reveal this to them.

They lingered on the coast and Ruvik stayed just within earshot, absent-mindedly nosing sand from stone as he idled. The strangers had distracted him from his search and provided an opportunity to perhaps gain something more than a meagre scrap. While he had seen wolves on his journey along the coast, many simply chose to ignore him as he did them. These two were no different, but the woman caught his interest. He wondered at the state of her form, and why the other drifted by so protectively. Ruvik's nose twitched and he picked up on the scent of others among the smell of brine and fish. They were pack wolves.

A chance had presented itself, and as the white female turned towards the forest, the loner followed at length, eyes burning intensely as he gazed at the two strangers.

she moved slowly through the wood, and they embraced her as they would an old friend. she and ancient forests would always share this supernatural familiarity—and it seemed the wood was at work to keep her out of his line of sight until she wished to no longer be shielded by it. after noting the mans pattern—the way that he followed, slowly but surely—she emerged, thrusting herself in the dappled light on the forest floor. why is it you follow? came her lilting voice, her tone soft and gentle.

If he had noticed that she knew he followed, the man gave no indication of it. Unashamedly, he trailed along their path, gaining the attention of the other as well though he paid no mind to them, instead focusing solely on the woman. A few minutes of silence passed before the white female turned and was upon him, stepping into the sun drenched light. Ruvik paused, still within the shadows, eyes gleaming out as he stared upon the stranger. Her voice was light and song-like, and he gave a crooked grin to her question, lurching forward with an uneasy gait. "You belong, you belong to f-family?" he stammered out, coming to a stop before her and looking up with pitiful eyes.

indeed, Galateia responded swiftly, her ears cupping forward as he took a step nearer. and what of you, stranger? where is it you belong? he was handsome, although undernourished. though that did not detract from his rugged attractiveness; his bright eyes were wild and unkempt, and there was an edge to him that intrigued her. she was, at present, still at ease—he had stopped before he had come too close, and for that she was grateful.

Indeed. The word brought a hopeful smile to the creature's lips, eyes trained upon the girl as she asked where he belonged. The smile faded a little and his gaze averted, ears drooping sadly. "N-nowhere," he murmured softly, almost as if to himself. Although she was grateful he had stopped where he did, Ruvik looked up again and staggered forward once more, nose twitching as he took in her scent. The other wolf bristled at his closeness, though he didn't think anything of it, focused instead on the girl's smell of sea salt and brine. "Tell me of family."

though he moved closer to her, galateia this time did not step back. his words came from the heart, and this desire was one she could understand. they are everything; they are love, and they are light. they are beautiful of heart and mind, and are as sweet as they are fierce—protective over their own. I could take you to them, she decided, after a beat, after you tell me of you. if family is what you wish for,