Wheeling Gull Isle it feels so good to be together

Several days had passed since her most recent conversation. While the others enjoyed themselves inland, Ying had entered into a self-enforced quarantine that was both unnecessary and regrettable. The den was only deep enough to hold her hind-half, so her head lay slumped on outstretched forelegs. She sighed and turned onto her back to watch the seabirds tease from above.

slowly did everyone build their own dens. she had found her's quite quickly, being close the beaches, and a perfect rock to not only rest under, but to bathe in the light above. it gave a nice hollow inward, and a edge to the ocean (pride rock.) however it wasn't large, just enough for herself. the siren was quick to claim it.

her cousin wasn't as fortunate. ruo was passing by, and came across ying's shabby den.. and quickened her pace to pass. she still remembered the previous talk.

A combination of intuition and a hunter's scent alerted Ying to Ruo's presence before she could get away. The huntress quickly leapt up from her resting place and barked for her cousin to stop, tongue lolling lazily from the corner of her mouth. Don't try to sneak away, she teased, I already saw you. 

Assuming the hermit wouldn't have made the first move to approach, Ying stood and started a slow trot to Ruo's side. What are you doing? she asked, wondering if she might be able to tag along.

and she was spotted. great.

ruo turned around, but didn't approach, as it wasn't needed since her cousin came forward first. she wouldn't move regardless, and they would be speaking in a distance.. perhaps ying knew, but it was whatever, she more wished to simply leave.

"登狩猎." blues gazed toward the crafting of whatever was created for the white warriors house.

So, they'd both been thinking the same thing. The huntress looked back at her own "den" and sighed. Same, she admitted with a nonchalant shrug. Settling beside the water was a good idea in theory, but it made no sense when put into practice. After one night sleeping there, Ying was ready to move on. 

There's lots of places around here that haven't really been explored yet. Maybe we can find a good place for your den. Ying paused and examined Ruo's reaction before continuing. It'll be private, if we don't tell anyone.

she looked at ying with the usual dead stare, "我找到了一个."however, the reason she was den hunting, was for the back-up. ruo preferred to have at least an extra or, if she felt kind enough, to offer toward others. not to mention she wasn't doing anything that interesting, and thought at least it'd be something to do; or even if the siren found something better then her own. "它我的."

"备份计划."

Okay, Ying replied. She started walking inland, keen on making to the island's western edge before sundown. There was a small pocket of land there that she hadn't explored, and since it was unreachable from the mainland, she hadn't patrolled there either. If they were lucky, the pair might find a clearing wide enough for a few dens.

She was careful to keep her expectations manageable. Ying turned to Ruo and asked, What's your real den look like? It might give help her come up with a new idea for her next try.

"骄傲摇滚."it was easy to spot once curving around the island, and most could find ruo dwelling ontop of the rock, sunbathing or watching the stars. perhaps not many realized it that underneath is her den. the less knew the better, because she really hoped ying wouldn't enter in the middle of the night. since y'know, her den sucks.

the siren followed, noticing they were going inland. she of course had a frow of disapproval, despite it being their claim, she rarely went inside. ruo didn't know anything of the forests within.

Luckily, Ying wasn't interested in bastardizing her cousin's den. She thought that the idea of a rock-den was dangerous, especially with how close the formation was to the ocean's edge. Be careful, she warned. If Ruo insisted on staying there, it was important that she remain vigilant and aware of the incoming tides. 

A silent side-eye caught the discontented expression, but little was thought of it. What do you want your back-up den to look like? Ying stopped to nose at the base of a tall sequoia, wondering if a den might already be hidden beneath the foliage.

yous my tester

ruo stayed silent, understanding the dangers, but she knew it'd be fine. the waters yet to touch her land, but it was a reasonable worry, which is why it was good for the backup den. "need to see sky and sea." which was really the only points she needed. comfort, and able to see both, that's the biggest desire fo the siren.

There weren't many requirements. Oh. Ying decided that they wouldn't find anything worthwhile if they continued on their current path, so she veered straight, toward the island's northern lip. Like, the ocean? Or is a pond okay, too? Compromise would be difficult, but she was worried about moving too close to the shore.

Walking in silence wasn't something that Ying particularly enjoyed. She looked back at Ruo and pulled her brow upward. Did you meet the new members? she asked, Nukilik and the, uh, leg guy.

"ocean." it'd be one thing as a temporary place, but if ruo lived somewhere, it had to be near the ocean. fresh water wasn't the subsitute to her salty sea, not to mention the endless waves to watch during the night. a pond cannot produce such beauty, that she wished to fall asleep to.

"met leg guy." an angry fellow, that's all she needs to know about him. and who the hell is nukilik.

Do you think he's trustworthy? Orochi hadn't made the best first impression, but that was partially due to Ying's own aggression. Had her actions been warranted? The situation was akin to the sisters' exile, though much more physical. How could she hold anger toward the wives after doing the same thing, and for the same reason? She shook these thoughts from her head, figuring that they didn't matter anymore. 

The pair continued onward in the direction of the coast. The treeline began to thin as the smell of sulfur grew to be overwhelming, telling Ying that they'd reached the tide pools. Wrong direction, she sighed, and turned to straighten their path. It would be easier to dig a real densite if the land wasn't so... She heaved and gagged, figuring that Ruo would understand. I'm scared to settle by the shore, though, 'cause the ocean could easily destroy everything.

"angry and stupid," she had no worries, "harmless." ruo was a watcher, a rescluse, she saw what should be seen, and what shouldn't. he was someone who lashed out, his emotions was on his face and not hidden how some were. two-faced was a common mask, but he was holding an honest one. he was still angry and stupid though.

"closer to grass." the siren shrugged. she knew ying had more survival instincts then herself, but ruo followed by her whims and likes, caring little otherwise, so she says. the thought if the cousin didn't like being by the beaches, enter to where the tree's started to grow... hm.

"tree den."

Maybe. She was still unsure about passing on her mantle, but knew that it was only a matter of time. Leaving the security of their island to a three-legged boy with a bad attitude was a troubling thought. 

Ruo's suggestion that they remain inland was accepted with a nod. Ying stopped moving so quickly and instead began to sniff at the surrounding foliage, looking for any openings. Have you seen Lion recently? she asked, if only for the sake of making conversation.

no one really tells ruo much, and not that she is involved regardless. if the siren knew what her cousin was thinking of doing, she'd be stupider then the three-legged one. she doesn't know the plans for him, or why they accepted him.. he had courage and the attempted strength, as she watched him constantly wobble, but the thought of a warrior never came. who heard of a three-legged warrior? "don't worry." no one.

"no." a side-eye, "what of the white bear?" the card was being pulled.

She nodded and flexed her snout, feeling the fresh scabs pull away from her skin. Who? she asked. Understanding that Ruo's question was in reference to Aningan, it was unlikely. Ying still didn't know that her cousin had been there for the great debate, so it didn't make sense that he would be the one she was referring to. She stood and moved onto the next tree, beginning the process once more.

"white man cousins were with." she of course, could never know of his name as ruo never brought it up to now, and neither did her cousins. but since ying keeps bringing lion into this, the siren can be pretty petty. she only entered for a bit as a somewhat cameo, before seeing the tensions rise and definitely left before being noticed. but she still saw it.

"inland."

The huntress turned a sharp eye to her cousin and opened her mouth to speak, but closed it just as quickly. Her first words would have been too harsh, unforgiveable, so she took a deep breath to refrain from voicing them. I haven't seen him, she replied.

Reminders of Aningan were everywhere, it seemed. Pretending that he no longer existed wasn't an option. Ying shrugged her shoulders, keen on keeping her inner fire from Ruo's view. He's probably cuter than Lion. She lifted a brow and turned a goofy grin to her cousin, curious to see how she might respond.

ruo really did not know the true depths of the relationship, or that they even had a relationship. it was a glimpse that was a clash of louds words, and she backed up just as quickly as the siren went in. now, she had absolutely nothing else since ying didn't take the bait. she clicked her tongue in annoyance before going back to neutrality.

"one lion, one bear." ruo shrugged, "both men, both stupid."

Yeah, she laughed, Dick-brains. Ying took a step back and began to kick up the leaves, revealing a promising den. It was small and shallow, probably never finished, but the ground was just soft enough to break through. Found it! She smiled at Ruo, wondering if it was to her liking.

"you found. your den." ruo had a den, a back-up wasn't needed, and now ying doesn't need a shabby as hell den. it was a fine one, but she still preferred the rock despite the security risks it may have. comfortable, both the star and the sea at her grasp.. solitude.. isolation. perfect.

so here's a gift, that you found. from ruo.

Well, at least they'd had a decent conversation. The endeavor wasn't totally pointless, right? Thanks, Ying replied. It was certainly better than the one that she'd carved out. I'm gonna see if there are more for Hua and Mei. Ruo was welcome to stay (and fade out the thread) if she wished, but Ying would not ask twice.

and so she dipped with the chance. ruo was alright goig back to her pride rock, as soon the day would set she could continue the usual star-gazing. and everyone else- does whatever they do.