Coconut Grove [ sorry not sorry ]

The whisper of the palms that swayed to the beat of the breeze passed through her cotton fur, ruffling a few patches here and there, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Despite the change in seasons, the wind still offered a touch of humidity, a faint reminder of what came to pass before nature took control once more. Egeria raised her nose from the earth, speckles of sand dotting her snout and along her muzzle. Sweeping her tongue along both sides, the fae immediately regretted the action; the flecks of sand did not taste pleasant and crunched awkwardly along the sharp edges of her canines. After a few awkward facial movements, Egeria returned her focus to the task at paw. 

The prickles of grass and sparse fauna offered her little to no options on anything edible. Not being accustomed to this type of terrain, Egeria hardly knew where to start on looking for a snack. The sea may offer some hope, so her pawsteps turned back in that direction, leaving the shade of the palms behind as her claws attempted to balance her as the sand shifted and budged under her weight. More than once, she had to steady her form, annoyed huffs leaving her maw as she felt like a newborn pup exploring the world for the first time. 

Thankfully, as her paws began to create tracks where the surface was more firm, her balance remained straight and she hoisted her tail happily behind her, satisfied at the good change. Though the sand squelched and pulled at her paw-pads, she trotted with purpose until the tide lapped across her hocks. Only then did she began to investigate among the rocks and various groupings of shells that littered this part of the beach. Egeria knew little of the creatures that took refuge in these pools or even further out where the sands dipped lower. But, food was food, she should be able to pick something out of here. 

Crack. 

Jerking her head away from the small cluster of rocks she was trying to overturn, the white she-wolf froze at the sudden interruption to the calm waves lapping across her paws. With muscles stiff with the readiness for a confrontation, her aqua eyes searched out the meaning of this un-timely noise. Seeing as the beach was mostly empty, it was easy to pick out the other form of another wolf making quick work of something: was that a crab; is that what one would call it?

 

Tilting her head with new curiosity, Egeria took a few steps forward, ears remaining upright, though her posture remained in-different. Neither threatening or relaxed; simply interested. How had she not scented this other wolf? Ignoring her lack of awareness of her surroundings, Egeria debated on what to do next. It would be rude to interrupt a meal, but perhaps this other could give her a couple pointers on how to find edible creatures along this shore? 

A soft bark left her maw, a simple greeting that let the other know she wasn’t alone, but not one that waranetted any sort of reply back. A sort of “break the ice” beginning, some might imply. She could only hope that an attack wouldn’t be the next course of action.