dream lanterns

It's past the ring itself, on solid ground, that she'd finally stolen away to take a nap. Too dark to sort out her next move upon arrival, and she'd been far too tired. Kiriko had enough energy to hide herself away in the underbrush, the tall reeds and brackish plants along the beach. It seemed safe enough, after all. Hell, after all this time, she was still sleeping with one eye open. When things had gone sideways back home, it was all she could do to run. Her brother had been by her side then, but they'd gotten separated-- that was for the best. An irritating creature, talking far too much and slowing her down. If they wanted to survive they needed to be fast, they needed to be efficient. Frankly, Katsuo had been neither of those things. For now, Kirko is on her own. Blessedly alone.

Dangerously alone.

First light was creeping in from the east. She needed to move, but where was she going? As soundlessly as she could, the girl stole to the water's edge. Carefully washing the sand from her coat in the shallows, shaking herself dry. A soft sigh. This would be good enough for now. Not wanting to expend the energy to catch fish, she turned her attention to the crabs that scuttled in the shallows. Good enough. Swiftly, in one fell swoop, the woman scooped one up in her jaws. A crunch, and the thing went limp. Repeating the gesture one more time... two large, fresh crabs was enough for breakfast.

Carefully, she settled down in the scrubby sea grass to eat her breakfast and come up with some sort of a plan. Was it safe here? It seemed that Kiriko would live the rest of her days looking over her shoulder. May as well get used to it. Always aware, always alert.