Shut Up and Dance with Me

The east seemed to be Áki's chosen stomping grounds.. for the moment, at least. Though he had explored a vast stretch of land along the coastline, there was much more for him to see and his restless paws carried the massive beast through the young redbud nook. This place had a strange air to it, a feeling of newness, from the freshly budding trees to the loamy soil that squished lightly beneath his paws. His tongue lolled from the side of his mouth as he panted, feeling the effects of the summer sun as it scorched his pelt.

Though the breeze was pleasant, it provided little relief from the relentless heat. However, it did bring him a whiff of a stranger, the foreign scent tickling his nose and causing his ears to swivel as he searched for them in the distance. Only when his paws brought him closer to her would he dip his head in solemn greeting, letting a bark sound as he eyed her from a distance. "Greetings, lady," came his deep voice as it echoed over the distance that separated them. Only the faintest hint of fatigue from the summer heat touched his accented voice, and his eyes shone with genuine curiosity as he studied her.