Totoka River You just don't know it yet,

the person wasn't too far — not far enough, though. she waited, she watched. they called! their song was so loud compared to the silence that runa knew; her head tilted in the manner of a dog hearing a whistling kettle for the first time, one way, another, ears out. the sound ceased eventually and the girl had to make a decision.

she paced in place, then... bolted in to the dark.

weaving among the ferns and trees, ducking brambles, she moved very quickly and almost silently. her feet had grown too big to be really stealthy, but runa was beginning to understand that, and compensate. when she made herself known again it was still at a distance, and sheltered by shadow — also, much nearer.

a little, "Rrrr?" thrummed from her molars.