Mudminnow River Teach me to live

Her inky nose quivered, pointed skyward for long enough to ascertain that there was more than just the turbid river and the darting fish around. Selkie was wary – it seemed a necessity in these days of wandering as a lone wolf. So often her social nature clashed with her desire to stay in one piece, but tonight, at least, curiousity would prevail.

The stranger was a male, younger than the copper-toned female, though considerably taller. It was a combination the lone she wolf had encountered more than once, so she thought little of it. Selkie slowed as the sharp silhouette detached from the darkness surrounding him, her leaf green eyes clear and analytical. She noted the swaying tail, the open stance and found that, with the relief of having run into a friendly face, it was difficult to cling to her own misery.

Her lips twitched into a smirk, but her expression wasn’t unkind. “’Ello there.” Her own tail stirred into a slow and sweeping wag, her head tilting sharply. “Wasn’t quite expectin’ to bump into anyone.”