Horizon Ridge A Flicker in the Wind

Vires's player invited me to have Pied accompany her (Vires) on a scouting expedition. I'm going to play it like they're in the midst of that... *rambles*

Although higher in rank, Pied urged Vires to take the lead as they left the plateau and traipsed off in a northwestern direction, following the river just like Pied had done on her solo trek a few days back. They took their time, combing over the lands on this side of the river and exploring every inch of ground with their eyes and noses. In the distance, the dark forest loomed invitingly. Adjacent to it, a ridge rose up into the sky, casting a shadow that shortened, then lengthened again as morning passed into afternoon passed into evening.

Only an hour or so of daylight remained when Pied told Vires she wanted to split up momentarily to cover more ground before nightfall. The dark wolf headed off in one direction and Pied wandered in the other. She only meant to foray ahead a few miles at most, yet the sense of adventure sunk its hooks deep into her, pulling her forward—that, and a certain familiar scent.

Before she even realized it, Pied found herself standing in a place unfamiliar in some ways and incredibly familiar in others. She sucked in her bottom lip as she stared across the sands at the sea, over which the sun hovered, casting a molten glow over the blue waters. Pied felt her heart soar at the sight and she began to walk, then run, toward the beach.

She startled to a stop when a figure raced across her line of vision, accompanied by a burst of noise. Pied would've rubbed her eyes in disbelief if she were human as she recognized Kisu racing across the sands. He didn't stop until the surf crashed into his legs, pushing him back toward shore. Her two-toned eyes followed him as he began to lope along the strip of wet sand, oblivious to the onlooker even as he—unbeknownst to her, of course—daydreamed of her.

"Kisu!" Pied finally hollered, standing still and waiting for him to turn toward her. "Hey!" she added somewhat dumbly when their eyes met across the distance, a smile lightly touching her lips.