Totoka River reefed

A brisk wind cut through the Timber wolf's thin coat as she aimlessly threaded between clumps of sea grass and driftwood strewn about the shore. Her paws sunk with every step and she stumbled more than once, correcting herself with a swaying hop-skip-jump each and every time. Her eyes were on her feet, heedless of her direction, though her body seemed to curve away from the sea itself. At first glance, one might assume she was afraid of the rolling waves, and they would be right.

Celephais didn't look up until the murmur of running water had grown into a growl, and her heart jumped into her throat when her eyes went not to the river, but to Spiritwalker's brilliant red mane. She hadn't expected to find someone else on the shore. The heavy salt air made her feel sick and the sand and debris were a hindrance to her. Compared to the deep misty forest of her origins, the sea and the shoreline were both open, vulnerable, and positively disgusting. Not the sort of place she would look to find anyone, and she was none too pleased about the potential interaction.

The lone wolf sought her solitude with furtive steps toward the forest in the background, but she couldn't help the conspicuous hacking gag she suddenly issued when a strong wind gusted in from the sea, carrying that horrid salt smell directly to her nostrils.