Ankyra Sound Deliver us

ingram was painfully aware of his inability to move, to react -- and he knew how transparent and painfully obvious his lack of collection would appear to anyone watching. like lycaon. oh god, he thought inwardly -- please don't be watching.

a more thoughtfully composed individual might have recovered quickly from seeing chusi rise from the sea like a vision - yet ingram was reminded all over again of the adolescent meekness that had claimed him the last time they had spoke. it had been a year and somehow its grip had not lessened. ingram was certain it had strengthened. how was that possible?

he tried to offer a smile, though it was loose and weak -- particularly in the face of her own smile which poured over him like a brilliant shaft of sunlight on cold ground. "uh," he started with a gulp, finding himself incapable of looking away from her warm features: "hgh...hi." the only thing he seemed to be able to command was his tail, which rose over his hocks in a sign of friendliness.