He's scared of the ocean, okay? He's fucking scared of it. Tide wouldn't admit that out loud, but shit just kept happening when it came to the sea. First the sturgeon, and almost getting swallowed whole by the massive beast. The massive fish-beasts. Oceans are the worst, infested with all sorts of shit that wants him dead. The shark had come next, the second time his brother had somewhat endangered his life. So big, so many teeth, so willing to drown him and eat him whole. After that, the crocs. They'd actually encountered so many dangers in the water, but hell, Bait is just living up to the nickname. If there's one thing Tide isn't, it's a pussy. He's getting over that fear. Facing it head on, looking it dead in the face, and making it happen. Stepping into the sea on the banks of the Ravine, more confident than anyone has ever confident-ed. Head high and green gaze grim with determination, it's probably one of the few warm mornings they have left. Without a shit to give or a fuck in the world, the boy steps right back into the ocean and goes for a swim. What's the worst that could happen? What could happen that hadn't happened before? An echoing, seemingly warning call from Urtur above his head-- oh shut up, he'll be fine. Promptly, the pup is swept away. He's all rage and doggy paddling as the sea takes him out, drags him farther from shore than he planned to go. There's no fucking way this keeps happening. Grumbling and growling to himself, the boy is finally able to drag himself toward the landmass that makes up Auster. He'd been to the Hallows, he'd been to the Shimmering Shore. Tide has seen these places, but never from this angle. The world spinning and flying past him as he's drawn farther south than he's ever been, scenery changing and world... new? Man, stop being so fucking cheesy. Clamoring his way onto the beach, tired and soggy, but alive. How the fuck did things like this keep happening? Shaking the saltwater from his coat, trying to take stock of this place. Clearly someone lived here, and upon further inspection? Jackpot, motherfucker. Behind enemy lines, but just some innocent kid-- the perfect cover. Sure, his bones ache a bit and his muscles are tired, but he's not going to pass up this opportunity to explore. He didn't have control about where he'd washed up, and right on the banks of Lazuli Falls? It's damn good luck. Tide needs to look the part of a wide eyed child, he needs to play innocent. Still, his natural gait makes him appear sketchier than even intended. Head low to the ground, gaze sharp as a knife. Moving from the clear beach inland, Tide stays away from the most well traveled, well trodden areas. Couldn't get discovered and thrown out too soon. Exploring, drawn toward the crystalline pool at the center. It looks well kept, and there are so many herbs. Shit, maybe he should make Wake bring him back. Surely adding one more to a roster boldly treading through enemy land couldn't have negative repercussions. Absolutely not. Sure. At least it's pretty, even if it's sorta boring. Okay, big waterfall, loud enough to conceal the sound of his steps. Urtur is still following him, the disapproval coming off dad's owl near palpable at the moment. Tide's own gaze back to the beast is sharp, asking that she not go out of her way to draw attention. They're just having a look around, after all. Tide pauses, lowering his lips to drink from the pool. It's crystal clear here, and he's able to stay mostly tucked within the vegetation. Still, it's maybe a little more exposed than he'd like. Trying to stay concealed, stealthy and sneaking around. Shit, it's a wonder he's gotten this far without being caught. For his tiny size, at least Baitboy looks younger than he is. More innocent. Let those green eyes go wide, let him look like a child making an honest mistake. The dishonesty within him is well hidden, and it would remain that way. A mask. A careful mask, worn by a calculated explorer. He moves from the side of the pool, winding deeper through the territory. He's at the heart of it now, the scents of pack members thick and smelly. It would be a miracle if they didn't catch him at this rate, but exploring is exploring, and Tide wouldn't be deterred. Keeping to the denser foliage had been a good idea around the pool, but now it limits his visibility. Tide needed to stay sharp, needed to remain keen. Green gaze trained carefully on it, he's learning everything he can in the time that he's got left here. Sure, they have the resources to heal, but what else? What else can he see, what else can he track down, in the meantime? Lush. Quiet. Boring.

831/800
(Completed a 800+ word post of solo exploration with a character under 1 year old)

Speech // thought

The Archdruid was sitting over the falls, surveying the land with a bird's eye view. His kite, Feyr, had given him a heads up about a stranger in the territory, who had their own bird. But they came from an unlikely place and the bird couldn't tell him exactly where or who or even what kind of stranger this was. So he set up camp at the top of the falls to see where they might show up.

Alert and watching he finally spied the little pale piebald... pup. He watched as the toddler scurried along the edge of the pool, obviously on his own little reconnaissance venture.

He picked up his paws and made his way down the side of the falls. Exchanging a look with Bae-Syl as he came upon the guardian noticing the kid as well. He shook his head with a grin.

"I'll handle it." He mused to the male as he walked passed. His steps were unhurried as his eyes watched the spot the pup had disappeared into.

As he cleared the falls and found the pup's trail he noted two things. Smelled like a boy and smelled like a sea-soaked Raider. Hmm... That could complicate things but he wasn't about to walk on eggshells.

He strolled up behind the boy with a face more amused than aggressive. Clearing his throat to get the boy's attention he raised a brow. "Hm... How's the mission going? You can tell me about the details while I escort you to the border."

Tide is all sharp angles and nasty looks, and he can't be sorry about that. Steady, unblinking, harsh border collie stare trained on the world around him and then-- and then on the man. The one who strode up, approaching with a calm and collection that seemed unwarranted. Piercing green gaze, like he's trying to burn a hole in the face of whoever the fuck this was. "Mission?" Tide hiccuped, feeling his stomach lurch and roll. How much seawater had he ingested on the way? "I almost fucken drowned out there, cringer dog." The drool threatening at the corners of his lips, filling his mouth before something much worse took its place. Tide isn't able to keep it down, the barf coming quick and violent. Close enough to splatter the brown man's feet if he doesn't move, at least it's mostly water. Water and bile, and Tide looking way too green around the gills for comfort. Rekt.