Oversized paws sloshed through ankle deep water, thin fur sodden up to his elbows from splashing through the brackish water when the mood struck. The benefits of having keen ears was that he picked up a great deal of his cues from the birdsong all around him in the estuary, which meant he didn’t need to pay much attention otherwise.

The young Saxe had learned alarm calls of all manner of birds, as a way to keep himself safe even if he wasn’t actively paying attention to his surroundings. It came in handy here, and he was making a game of identifying the various winged friends that lingered out of reach. They were wary of him, and rightfully so.

Dark form waded deeper and deeper into the estuary, following the sound of waves lapping against the shore of the island at its core. Luxe the ram had stuck to the shore, electing to wait until his canine companion was finished adventuring. Wool did not dry easily.

Lyra really was cursing herself. Every time, she found herself in a weird and unpleasant place. She absolutely did it to herself, though, and she knew it. It was what it was, but what it was sucked. At least, not too far, she could spot the center island. Unlike most days, today at the estuary actually had some sun shining through, and wasn't really misty. It was a rare occurrence, or so she was told, so she too advantage of it to explore a little more easily. Nose and ears first, but eyesight was still quite handy for her.

As she hopped onto the shore, her nose twitched. There's been a wolf here recently. And... A ram? With the wolf? No blood was on the wind so there definitely wasn't a kill. Curious but wary, she widely circled the tree until the other side was easily in view, and her eyes laid up on the ram in question, casually hanging out. She scanned the estuary briefly, only for her gaze to snap back to a figure slogging through the marshy ground towards the island.

The sight had Lyra frowning. There was something that caught her eye as she initially looked at him, but he was a bit too far away still to actually observe. Something was there, though, and she was going to check thoroughly. There was little doubt that Lyra hadn't been noticed, as she had been standing right there. So, might as well greet. "Well, hello," she called out, curiosity clear in her tone. ""So uh, the ram?" She wanted to eat it but couldn't. It irritated her, but she knew she couldn't deal with the horns alone.

Splash, splash, splash, of paw steps approaching through the brackish water. Angular crown swivelled, ears twitching to pinpoint the source. Long, prancing strides came to a stop and he felt the water begin to still around his ankles almost right away. Empty gaze unfocused, he angled his snout in the direction of the approaching wolf. By the sound of their paws plunging through the water with each stride, the female was bigger than him. Her voice called out as she grew close enough, a curious greeting. Inky lips curled at their corners, tail sweeping against his hocks a few times.

Quickly enough, she mentioned the ram lounging on the far shore. “Luxe,” he said simply, shrugging his narrow shoulders. “my travel companion. Keeps me from tumbling into a bottomless abyss.” he added with a wry smile. As her tread petered out, she was close enough that he could get a better sense of her. Sightless gaze fixed in something in the middle distance as his nostrils flared to take in her scent. An older fae, without the stink of a pack on her coat. “Please don’t eat him, I would be disappointed.” the lanky yearling warned her, brows pinched together with a hint of a scowl.

Lyra pretty much immediately noticed that the other wolf's gaze wasn't actually on her, but... near her. As if he didn't actually see her. Which, y'know, was actually probably the case. Blind wolves did exist, though it was curious how they actually survived. As she neared, her eyes widened in recognition. Not of the wolf himself - she'd never seen him in her life - but of his coat. And his eyes, now that she was near enough to fully distinguish the color. The slate blue falling over his upper body... that shimmered a slight purply-hue... just like her own. Just like other Saxe's. Her father, her grandmother, her siblings. And the eyes... she wouldn't forget her father's eyes. And this boy, this boy had them. She had stiffened now, as the characteristics stood out in her brain.

She barely heard his words about the ram, except to register that he belonged to this wolf here. She just stared, comprehension coming slow. The last sentence did catch her attention, though. "I have no intention of doing so." Her voice was much sharper than she intended, but to a degree she really didn't care. "Who are you?" she added a few moments later, the sharpness still in her voice but a little... less.

The lovely ambiance of songbirds and waterfowl all around them threatened to derail his train of thought entirely. There were so many strings of music, each one catching his attention for their own merits and beauty. It wasn't until the sudden, curt tone of voice cut through his drifting attention. The giantess seemed thoroughly irritated by the notion of not slaughtering Luxe the ram. It didn't bother him much, but he did take a moment to consider whether he should be asking one of the wandering traders about a knife to carry. Without eyes to guide him in battle, he would need an advantage in the form of something pointy.

And then there it was again, that distinctly sharp and irritable tone of voice when the woman spoke up again. All but demanding to know who exactly he was. Cinnamon tipped ears tipped back warily. What the hell was her problem? "Raven." he said, though the mirthful croon of a singsong tone was notably absent this time. Her attitude was pretty weird, since they obviously didn't know each other. "Who're you?" he retorted, matching the sharpness of her tone with unsettling accuracy.

"Speech!"

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