Sea Lion Shores and a voice cut from steel

unlike the island's empress, astaroth had never once felt a drive to rid others from the nearby land. being overly territorial led to as many issues as not being territorial enough, and so unless another famine were to strike and they be left battling to the death for food, he saw no reason to chase loners or otherwise from the shore.

with that being said, he did find himself curious as to who came to visit the pools and sunbathing sea lions. and so with a spring in his step, the inky ghoul set off to close the distance between himself and the silhouette of smoke and fog.

upon being a bit closer, he was hit with the familiarity of her appearance, but could not place where he'd seen her before. the memory was blurred and distorted, and he found himself only able recall the name she had bestowed upon him - ripa. "hello again...i think?", he half-asked with a tilt of his head as he stood just shy of where the waves crashed.