Wheeling Gull Isle YUÈLÒNG | 月龙

Life had brightened since she had arrived upon the island. Arrived - what an odd term for washing ashore! She had awakened more than anything, utterly against her own will, but at least Nukilik could walk for a while without finding any issues with her body now; the bruises had faded, and the memory of what put her in to the sea was locked away. It was a fresh start. Plus, with the sisters busy with their own duties, she was given leave to explore in her own time. It felt good to be on her feet again.

She had roamed to a narrow strip of beach which was more slate than sand, investigating clusters of sparsely growing grasses as they poked around the snow. Nothing remarkable to report from any of those spots, but Nukilik wasn't entirely invested. It was the sound of a howl that caught her attention next and drew her eyes from the faraway cobalt-blue of the water, around to the heights; a voice sprang from there like a fount, trickling at first and gathering momentum. Soon Nukilik was snared by that voice - like a siren's song - and felt compelled to tilt her own chin and join the call.

Rough as her own voice was, and deeper than the average woman's, it paired well with Hua's - and as others rose up to join in too, she felt a sense of relief flood through her as she ran out of breath. This was home now. At least, for a little while.