Totoka River keep the calm before the storm

He hadn't noticed Skua until he spoke; Pier jumped and turned to see his newly-made partner, whom he greeted with a wordless wave of his tail.

Spoils? he barked out brusque laughter. Wet sand and seawater, more like.

The girl seemed shrewd for her age - quick-witted, spontaneous, almost scatter-brained. He could see her mind at work, but had no idea what it was directed to.

Remembering how territorial he was when he was a teenager, he did not step forward. Not just yet.