Totoka River mistletoe

Svalinn strolled irritably along the bleak riverside, somehow feeling both restless and exhausted as he experienced what seemed to be a perpetual barrage of growth spurts, driving the boy mad. He had urged @Raleska as far as she would go before stubbornly pressing on without her, intent on wearing himself down until he was too numb to feel his full-grown spine unfurling and his leg-bones sprouting like beanstalks. He thought he might grow right out of his skin.

And it was in this rather unreasonable state of mind that he spotted the tall, swaying figure ahead. At first he was being clever— observing her from afar, remaining half hidden by leafless bush-life until he could be sure it was safe enough to proceed— but after a while his spying seemed to go beyond simple intelligence gathering.

He simply couldn't look away from her. Watching her shake... and shiver... and strut down the bank with her chin lifted defiantly to the cold and her pelt still dripping in places. Svalinn broke cover to approach her, his trot fast and a little desperate, before coming to stand within speaking distance, but no closer. "H-hey!" he barked, breathless and a little unsure. "You live around here?" The golden boy equivalent of "Do you come here often?"