Serpent Lake and the sea was a reminder

Oh man, he really had disturbed her. Mistaking her nervous whisper as a hint that she was quietly irritated by his undue presence, Lucca flattened his ears and offered a whine of apology. She turned to look at him, but a range of emotions swept through her features so fast the Blackthorn almost missed them all entirely. When she looked away meekly, Lucca too turned his head, feeling blood rush into his cheeks in both embarrassment and annoyance at himself.

The stranger radiated an air of unease, whether it was because of his presence alone or for some other unknown reason, he wasn't sure, but Lucca was determined to make sure the lady didn't think he was a threat. "I—I didn't expect to find a waterfall out here, much less another wolf," he commented with an awkward, boyish laugh in an attempt to ease the flustered situation.