i've missed you, sunshine!

Winter was a dirty, wet beast. Siobhan felt like she hadn't been dry in weeks. The last time she'd allowed herself to get wet was crossing the southern Bifrost. The ocean had licked at her paws, but it had been warmer and almost pleasant. Auster was a welcome change from the blustery weather taking hold of Boreas. Autumn was long gone now and winter held the land firmly. What was a gal to do when she was sick of the cold? Like all snowbirds, she chose to venture south. Skirting the coast of Auster had been a lovely journey, although she was somewhat surprised to note that some of the territories she'd skirted were claimed by a pack. She felt entirely disconnected from larger communities of wolves - Sio couldn't remember the last time she'd been in a group larger than three.

A dark castle broke the skyline followed by a shallow inlet that sparkled in the low light. She slept by the sandy beach, allowing the lapping of the water on the shore to lull her into a dreamless slumber. Sio awoke feeling well-rested, a pleasant contrast from long nights in Boreas where she fought to stay warm. After a luxurious stretch and a quick lunch of ocean fish, she was off on her way again. It wasn't long before a glorious song cut through the air. Her ears pricked straight up at the melody. Company might be nice... if she kept to herself much longer, she might forget how to speak out loud.

Siobhan headed in the direction of the noise. It wasn't long before she caught the scent of two separate wolves and connected the dots from there, stumbling upon Lazuli Falls in short order. She was unable to stop the gasp that slipped out: dense, lush greenery surrounded a dreamy waterfall that sparkled as if lit from within and something delectably sweet perfumed the air. Scenery like this was something out of a story for children, not for right here before her eyes. Eventually she scanned the rest of the glade and spotted an inquisitive female and a larger male with brilliant fur adorned with bracelets. Sio almost didn't want to interrupt. Everything was simply too perfect - and she was a bystander at heart. Would it be so wrong to just pick a spot in the sun and watch the story unfold before her? Kali spoke, breaking the spell and bringing her back to reality. "Yes," she added, speaking almost too quietly to be heard. "It was a beautiful song."

Word count: 1141/1500