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Alder turned, his tail wagging softly behind him as he trotted out to the land’s end and the ocean’s beginning. The landscaped changed dramatically, the woodland clearing and the underbrush becoming low and shaggy. A wintery wind caught his loose fur, and his unshorn pelt waved with it’s influence. The Sun was setting, leaving them and with it’s departure color streamed through the sky. It always reminded Alder of his sister’s paintings, memories of his puppyhood. A masterpiece that only the deity of his mother could create.
The tide was growing, and hadn't yet come to its highest waves. The wind teased the white foam, and the scent of salt was heavily lacing each breath he took. The beach and shoreline was not Alder’s most favorite of places, but it brought him a peaceful feeling each time he came to it. Even in high tide where the ground beneath him shook Alder was able to retreat inward, and let the world around him and the stress that it caused slip away.
It was the sight of Trent’s smile that made Alder the happiest that he had asked the coy-wolf if he could come along to the beach. He had wondered what would cause the new Courtier to grow at ease and find a small simple pleasure, and it looked as if the masked male had finally succeeded.
Steps brought them to the sand. It was not pure and soft but littered with stones and pebbles of the rocky shoreline. But, there was still a cushion to his footing and the rocks had been softened by the constant weathering of salt water. Most of the coast is cliffs and rocks. He explained, glancing to the male – courage to give eye contact regained – before he moved his nose down to touch the wet ground. Then he asked, What did you like to for fun do in your old pack? Did you have brothers and sisters? Alder's courage to unleash his curiosity had been regained as well.
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