Sequoia Coast where the days have no numbers

Betwen Blackrock Depths/Stavangar Bay and Honeyed Pasture. @Carya.

There are few things that hold Qilaq's interest outside of her little family and the stars that hang above her. What brings her all the way to the border of her home, where the scent of their leader and Appeh is strongest, is likely to never been known because by the time she'd reached them, her interest had changed. Where she goes, nothing seems familiar and she scarcely realizes she's losing the safety of their claim. Even the sandy ground beneath her feet feels different and she's unable to place why but she continues at a slow pace as she puts more and more distance between herself and the bay. 

An open field pans out before her and the thirst to continue to explore is only held back by the fact her feet can move no more. The familiar scents of her home have begun to fade from her immediate attention and she turns her head back the way she'd come for signs of those that may be nearby. Amayo or Appeh are rarely too far for her to find but the realization of what she's done leaves a heavy feeling in her chest. Carefully, as if she might startle something nearby, she moves her trembling limbs back in motion toward the way she'd traveled.

Starbuck staggered wearily, doggedly home. Her heart thrilled at the first scent of the see, and she could have cried when at last the dark ribbon of it appeared on the horizon. She swung low to avoid the bay, away from the sand dunes and bunch-grass until she was on the brine-swept grasses of the sea-side meadows. It was here that she began to move in earnest, for the terrain was forgiving and her legs took gamely to such wide fields.

The fields had seemed empty, yet she came upon a wolf. Either they were young or they were particularly small, like her. Hail! she called, for this could have been a wolf of the bay or a newcomer to Donnelaith.

She is far too focused on her walking that she doesn’t notice the approaching wolf. One step in front of the other will lead her back and she’s able to track herself back, despite not having gone terribly far. However, when the other wolf is close enough to shout Hail!, Qilaq’s legs give out from beneath her and drop to the ground as if it had been a gunshot. Her nails dig into the dirt and she buries her snout between her paws, wishing for nothing more than to become invisible.

The child hit the ground quick as a shot. Oh! Starbuck gasped. Though it was never her intention, she seemed to have once again startled a wolf she only wished to help. Carefully, so as not to further frighten the girl, Starbuck approached. Please, do not be afraid, she said quietly. I am Starbuck, I wish you no harm. As she spoke, she took careful steps closer, gauging the girl's reaction as she went for fear of startling her so badly she might flee.