The alchemist was growing hungry, and though the growl within his stomach did not peak his interest, the lack of complaining from someone else did. He paused in his step and turned his head, raising a brow to the empty space behind him. He set down his rather measly collection of herbs and then lifted his head higher, waiting; but there was nothing. Ukiuk flooded with relief: had his prayers been answered? Did Suinnak drop dead from exhaustion? His ears flicked at a distant wailing and his face turned into a scowl. Damn, he groaned internally, picking up his bundle and moving toward that godawful sound. If Aok hadn't loved their son so much, Suinnak would be six feet under by now.
Not that he hadn't tried, of course. Ukiuk used to slip a small amount of poisonous mixtures in with the boy's food when he was a pup, but had always been afraid to use too much lest it be obvious. His son, unfortunately, had been born with an iron stomach; and now had a small tolerance for certain poisonous things. Ukiuk thought of this as he begrudgingly moved toward the ocean, demeanor turning more and more sour the closer he got. He had been collecting a large variety of poisonous or strange new plants on their journey in hopes to give Suinnak a rather interesting concoction before they met up with Siku's daughter.
At the edges of the sands, he ducked into the ferns as a shadow approached his beached whale of a son. "What are you doing?" it asked, and the alchemist dropped his bundle. She actually... wanted Suinnak to speak? He covered his leaf-ball of herbs with a bit of sand and promptly marched over, hoping he could get close enough before his son tainted this poor woman with his... well, existence.
"Suinnak," he growled angrily, marching up to stand over the boy's slumped body (knowing he wouldn't get up anyway). "Get up. We're on a schedule," he commanded, turning then to the woman with a curt nod. "Excuse us," he said, trying to dismiss any conversation. He turned back to his son, hoping he wouldn't have to use too much encouragement to get his boy moving again. However, now that Suinnak was already resting his paws, getting him moving again would be quite the feat.