Dragoncrest Cliffs Close your eyes and sleep,

it seems improbable that any jiāng would spend their time away from the water – even in a storm, the sea is the sea. even beneath the rising cliffs, seaspray glittering in the weak light, the water too far down to reach. he keeps his distance; the drop makes his head spin to look at.

he should at least know this coastline before he makes the effort to stray from it. if that affords him more time by the water –

it’s practical. he should be sure of the sea before anything else.

the shark moves along the ridge, quiet in the rain. his shoulder stings with every step; the water washes away the blood out into unbroken white. he should spend more time resting if he wants to heal; for now, keeping from more of these foreigners will have to be enough. he has no desire to repeat his encounter with owlglass’ permanent, infuriating smile.

he turns his head from the grey horizon. just ahead, silhouetted against the clouds, the outline of a figure, black as the stormy water below.

of course.

yunxu dutifully drags his well-worn bland, placid blankness onto his face, steps shifting back into a steady march despite his shoulder’s protestations. they are a good reminder to keep his teeth to himself.