Wheeling Gull Isle like the sand on my feet

The little sailor was fast asleep before his mother woke him. Not yet ready to be up and moving, he batting his paw at her lazily before rolling over and attempting to steal a few more minutes of sleep—but movement continued around him and the commotion of those gathering outside was difficult to ignore. Frustrated, Xiaoqing huffed and rose to his feet, ears partially back to make his annoyance known. Why wake him up? Why not let him sleep? There wasn’t even food offered to make waking up worthwhile!

Looking around for his mother—perhaps to complain or cry, he wasn’t sure which would be best yet—he found she was nowhere to be seen. He did, however, hear her outside. Curious, the boy crept towards the entrance and peered out at those gathering, although he did not yet exit the den entirely. There were so many out there, so many he didn’t know… he wasn’t sure he wanted to leave the comfort of the den just for them.