outside of bounds

Way out here, the snow still clung to the lake's shore in great drifts. When she exhaled her breath sparkled like magic. Makara squinted through her lenses as the glasses fogged, then cleared. Okay, she'd be lying if she said she didn't love living up here. She knew that her preferences had not been taken into account and that they were merely here out of circumstance and her grandad's wishes but... no grass? Hardly any pollen? Her allergies had been wiped away as if by magic. Mak sucked in a deep, piercingly cold breath and let it tickle her lungs. Mmm, tasty.

She just loved this territory. Everything felt crisp and wide open. Endless possibilities. She could almost taste it! Wait, she could taste something... The coppery tang of blood peeked through. Licking her lips, Makara followed the trail.

What she came upon surprised her. An enormous walrus bull, the biggest she'd ever seen - but maybe she'd never gotten so close to one before. He was heaving and lowing, pouring blood from a wound on his shoulder. Maybe it was near mating season? She wasn't sure, they were so new to the north she hadn't gotten used to its rhythms yet, but it seemed close to death. Makara crept closer, just a little bit curious... And with a horrible wail, a keening like a ship going down, the beast turned on her. Makara jumped back with a wild shriek. Suddenly those tusks seemed awfully sharp.