Cerulean Cape Sailor's Melody

a gull voiced its displeasure to the world, taking flight on a pair of sharp-cut wings. val turned to the stranger, who now bore the fruit of his work upon his face in a tan coating of sand. it seemed he had first mistaken val's voice for the bird - this elicited a slender smile that faded quick.

over here, he called from the rushes, still keeping his ground. all manner of creatures big and small had shown him that trust was to be given sparingly -- while he'd largely good interactions with those of the wilds, there were times he'd narrowly escaped with his life, too.

in his minds eye, the shadow of a hulking bear rose to the surface.