Wheeling Gull Isle we float before the sea at dusk

of course fern does not understand and of course reed does not begrudge her for it. satisfied the nick is exactly that, just a nick, she gives her nose a gentle lick, releasing the child from the shelter of her titian form in order to take a seat with her. "crab," she repeats, half correcting, and sighs and gives a second lick when she sees that tiny crestfallen expression. "they are smaller than us, and frightened of us, and so they pinch to scare us away," reed explains, her tail thumping against the ground in a reassuring beat. "it's best to leave them alone," she adds, clicking her teeth in apparently imitation of crab claws for added emphasis.

[font]the girl seems to heed her advice, letting reed lead her away from the dangers of sharp-clawed crustaceans without complaint. once she is satisfied fern is safe and sound within her den properly, she takes her leave, pausing on her march toward her den only to grab a tasty crab snack.[/font]