Wheeling Gull Isle enter sandman

She could feel an itch in her skin as soon as she woke up.

It was pre-dawn, and cold. The pressure of clouds unfurling across the sky added a destabilizing agent to her brain in the form of a light headache; but that was also probably a case of dehydration. Having spent the previous couple of days trying to track down fresh water upon the island, it was no wonder Nukilik felt like a zombie. She had been so focused on her task that she'd forgotten to eat or drink anything. On the plus side, her body wasn't as terribly bruised anymore. She could sprawl out upon the sand and have a good stretch without harming herself. Right now though, with the thin light of dawn just beginning to line the horizon, she was groggy and irritated.

The woman sat up. The sand crunched as she uncurled herself from the tight bundle she had composed of her body. A yawn filled her lungs and soon her jaws were ajar to expel it, but the grogginess remained - and that itch. She tried to adjust her posture by turning in place once, twice - then sat down and kicked at her scruff, hoping her dulled claws would scratch away the sensation. When that didn't help, she was on all-fours and pacing to warm herself up a bit - and then trailing towards the sea.

The water was calm. Dark and ominous with the limited light, but barely stirring save for the perpetual lull of the tide sweeping in and out. She looked down the beach one way, then up the other, then out to sea with a sigh that sagged her entire body. It was too early to be this cognizant! Why the hell was she awake right now?