Summer would soon arrive in the lands of Boreas. Shifting winds brought warmer weather and drier days that finally kept hurricanes at bay. A variety of debris washed up on the shallow shores as the ocean ebbed to and fro. Frothy but delicate waves shimmered beneath an unusually bright sun. Spring had been chilly, wet, and quite violent. Not as violent as the Long Night, but the shadows of clouds had left many awake most nights. The petite female would take her chances with the chirping of birds and scattering of mammals that held signs of better days to come.

Towing her identical feline companion along with her for today's journey, Celeste had one objective. A nice ocean swim at Fantamo Bay. Ashen had been busy attempting to expand north across the Rio Grande and she had been kept even busier with hunts, lessons, and organizing larders. Her promotion had been a welcomed one as it kept her mind off of trivial things such as her feelings for a certain someone. A certain someone was gloomier than usual and left her wondering if she had done something wrong. Alas, it was why she had made her way to the bay with its rather dirty beach and its fishy smell.

Off in the distance, beached fish such as mackerel and even an occasional shark were left to decay. Gulls, crabs, and other creatures picked away at soggy skin and rotting bones. Her blackened nose would wrinkle as white-gloved paws took her straight toward the water. Pulling away before the salty liquid could touch, her feline companion made a beeline toward a grouping of smaller fish that smelled more recent. Casting one look with her aquamarine eyes in his direction, he was silently told everything he needed to know. Don't get sick because I won't help. Their companionship was more on the tolerable side than it was friendly.

Pushing her way through the waves as her frame submerged beneath the water, Celeste smiled. The cool shallows were pleasant against her thick fur that finally began to shed from winter. Her lengthened tail was still neatly braided, as it always was now if she knew she was leaving the pack's borders. While the ocean was not nearly as relaxing as the Hot Springs, it was still a good enough experience that left her sighing contentedly. Her excursion would only get better if she had some wolfy company.

Celeste Akizora

thief;king

he had sunk into the sand - just as a predator falls hidden into the high swaying grass but he was no more of a sticking sore thumb than the bright green ribbon of seaweed just a few yards off of him. a quiet half nap - half daydream where his nose shifted back in forth in the sand just enough to wake up with the hollow sounding sneeze that shook his entire body. a kiss from the gods - or whatever those prayed to and he watched on with open eyes to see the crowns of heads in prayer. for that, for who, for him, he was thankful as he watched a woman caress the ocean waves, past the breaking point to where she simply hovered beneath the glinting rays. old service stories - women in the sea. their coats glinting with the salt and rays. camp stories about their alluring voices and the kiss of death had you come close enough. (what are you, witch doctor?) his head rose from the sand, it sprinkling his chin and cheeks, down the arched muscles of his neck and chest as if put their by a child. messy and caught tight to nearly matted fur. (what would she think if you now..rahul?) rolling r's and a kissing ginger head of hair. he saw flashes of her, then and there. looking upon another woman, saturated in what they had met. perhaps he deserved it, perhaps he deserved the threatening presence of her behind his lids. perhaps he deserved it all. * he's just watching her from the beach :)

Distracted by the calming lull of the water around her, she did not notice the shadowy man upon the shore. Even though his deep coat should have been noticed by now, the femme was too immersed in her own relaxation to care. Her lids half closed over her aquamarine eyes as she let out a cooing sigh. A few more paddles sent her in a circle or two as her frame bobbed along the surface. Nearly pure bliss until she finally felt the stare upon her. Attempting to act as naturally as possible, she tossed a fleeting glance in his direction.

Noticing the lime-yellow eyes and sandy cheeks, one of her brows raised in curiosity. Now, who could this be? Had she actually been the intruder upon his languid day in the sand? Unable to hold herself back from temptation, being the social wolf that she was, Celeste made her way back to shore. As her body was retrieved from the waves, she gave herself a good shake to speed up the drying process. Beginning her approach with an upward tilted chin and a lazy smile, she called out to him. "Oi, sir? I hope I wasn't bothering you too much," Celeste stated as she paused a few feet away.

Celeste Akizora