Shimmering Sands there is a rose within the sky

Endless sand, an endless shimmer from the sun glistening on the white dunes. Only steps away from the beds of treasure, soft paws led to a desolate place, where life seemed to be amiss, where even water was voided.

Though was empty as it was, she gazed around in wonder from the shining crushed stones, fascinating on the bed of sand. Born within the sanctuary of cedars and pines, she was not aware of the large bounty of sand that was near the coast. For she passed it already, but Miriam did not give a close enough look, till now.

A ghostly, lilac figure stood within the whitened sands, aimlessly looking around in a curiosity, for she wondered what else would appear in the voided area.

Staring out at the ocean, and the vast hills of sand, Kaito knew three things, and three things for certain: he missed his family, and he was a very long way from home.

Those things would have been enough to send him trailing back North, where his mother and brother and sisters surely awaited his return. Back to where he had a place (kind of), and a purpose (sort of), and where he at least had friends, and wolves to rely on besides himself. Because, let's face it, the lone life was no life for a wolf. Kaito felt this in every laugh he laughed alone, in every night his company came only in the cool tough of starlight, and in every scrap of carrion he could scavenge from prey left long abandoned to the crows.

But Kaito knew three things for certain, and third was enough to rule out the two, and temper his desire to turn back and run. The One had led him here, and as he set his eyes to the shores again, he knew he was where he was supposed to be. He didn't know why, but he trusted he would discover that in due time. To turn back now would be a mistake.

So the boy made his way along the coast - alone again - and today he plodded closer to the ocean, where his paws could squelch in the sand beneath the lapping waves, and where he could turn his ears and eyes toward the pulsing sea. High above, the seabirds flew, and he wondered what it was like to fly. He wondered if they had the same cares as wolves, or if their lives were different all together. He wondered if they could hear the voice of the One. And he wondered if today he might find himself a step closer to figuring out something of where he was supposed to be.

Miriam was a sensitive one, as she knew when the presence of another came near. She knew not many- all were strangers beside the fleeting meetings with a few, that came to quick ends due to her own embarassment, and shyness. Though she is back, albiet with more determination, to see what the worlds were to offer. The maiden could only hope the her Lady Goddess, would help see where the destiny draws her forth.

Though young, and with nerves, she did not know what to say to the stranger. Wisps of white, stared at the earthy figured who wondered closer to the waters then she has. She was curious, on what he was, and who he was. There weren't many moments Miriam could recall, meeting one alone. She could not detect the scent of others- no pack, no companion, he seemed truly to be by himself, just as she was.

So taken by the ocean and the ebb of the waves, he did not notice the stranger, nor did he sense her company. The rush of the waters covered the fall of any sound beyond the sea, and a preoccupation with his thoughts drowned out the rest. Any scents were lost to the tang of brine spraying up from the crashing waves.

He had heard stories from his mother about the ocean, and the way it should be feared. After all, his father had died by the ocean's wrath, and the more time Kaito spent by the waters, the more he understood. Understood, but couldn't agree, and maybe that's what drew him out. He turned from the shore and took a shaking step into the tide. Water pulled above his ankles now, and when he looked down, to watch the flow, he wondered... what was it like for his parents, out there in the crashing waves?

He had no answers. He didn't think he would find them here. But this place - it made him wonder.

She was unnoticed, as the lone wolf was tucked into his own world. She continued to observe, to watch, but there was barely any change. He watched was in front, and almost looked as if we was drawn to it, a bit to Miriam's concern. She was an inexperienced one to the real world, whose thoughts tend to wander, and grew a bit worried with  paws stepping into the salty waters before them. What was he doing, she desired to know.

She had hoped he wouldn't go further, as her mind had reached a place she hoped, would not come true. Washing away into the waves would not be good for him, or his health, she thought, and most definitely one would get lost in the seas. She was nervous, Miriam could feel her paws grow a bit damp despite being near no liquids. Courage was given, may she thank the stars for able to say a few, "Are you okay?"

He only noticed his company when a rhythmic voice not quite like the ocean, but almost more lovely, sounded from the sands. Kaito found himself utterly unprepared and met her with a flustered whirl and a gangly splash. When he saw her, he felt like a stroke of chaos next to the delicate nature he perceived in her. 

For the first thing he thought was that she was beautiful, the second, that she must have descended from the stars, and the third, one which surfaced in a nervous squeak of, “Hi.”

Only, that hadn’t answered her question, which was still miles from his bumbling tongue. “Um,” he tried again - but that didn’t answer her, either, and he felt his face flush. His dumb thoughts needed to catch up with his tongue before he rattled off something really stupid in front of the pretty girl. Quick, and he cleared his throat. “I’m fine - yeah, just thinking - yeah, my dad died in the ocean, you know, and I was just wondering,” why he was telling her this? “- what it must’ve been like to drown -“ oh. Oh no. He blinked and jerked with a sharp recoil when he realized how that sounded, when coupled with how he must’ve looked ankle deep in the waves. “No! I mean, no - not like - not that I was going to actually, you know - I would never - not like that.” Which meant what, exactly? Shoot, kid. If ears could burn, his were on fire. Um, um, um, “Shoot. Um, I’m Kaito,” and he offered her a nervous laugh and just as awkward of a grin, and if he had hands, he would have thrust one toward the girl in a clammy handshake, as if those things could cover up - or at least distract her from - the utter disaster he’d just presented her with.

"Hello." A soft greeting, and a tip of a head toward the other in a civilized manner. He seemed surprised by her apppearence, and the maiden almost felt guilty for the wshock, that she expressed the regret, "I apologize for startling you," Miriam politely gave up her wrongdoings to the other, though they seemed not to be angry on the act she preformed, and he nervous rambled onward.

He was talkative, she thought, despite the silent and lonely appearence given before. She took note, that appearences can be decieving, but one should not forgot the storm within oneself. She could not see what could be within, and still must be on guard in case he was to do something of regret. Her eyes wandered toward the water, before following back to the man before Miriam. He was quick to deny what was in thought, but one could never be sure. Though a slight relief, as he did not seem to be one to do such and vocally denied it. However a sad tale was shared, and she gently replied, "My condolences."

"It is nice to meet you," she once again dipped, "I am Miriam."