The mighty storm had finally passed, and left in its wake a reward for survivors. The coastline was littered with flotsam and jetsam, driftwood and seaweed and all manner of things from the ocean. For several days after the hungry siblings were able to eat well. Fish were strewn across the sand, having perished in the turbulent water or simply been tossed onto dry land by the wind. Cosette and Clopin had camped on the beach, building a fire and roasting all the fish they could eat. But now their windfall had turned sour -- the flyblown carcasses were too rotten to risk consuming anymore, and they had to move on to fresher things.
The sun was high in the sky, though it did not impart much warmth. Autumn was underway, evident by the tones of brown and grey creeping into the grass, contrasting the occasional sharp orange and red of the tree leaves. The highlands were sparsely forested, and Cosette edged closer to her brother, made uncomfortable by the wide open spaces. They grew up in the city, and this wilderness was almost painfully lonely, the silence broken solely by the whistling of the wind. Clopin threw his cloak over her slim shoulders, welcoming her proximity. They were both aware of the traces of wolf scent, and knew if they kept traveling north they would soon find a pack. They were counting on it.
Cosette abruptly tipped back her muzzle, belting out an old Cajun folk song her mother used to love. She hated silence, always feeling the need to fill it even though Clopin would never hear her. Her voice rang clear and high, betraying her young age.
"Allons à Lafayette, mais pour changer ton nom.
On va t’appeller Madame, Madame Canaille Comeaux comme moi.
Petite, t’est trop mignonne pour faire ta criminelle.
Comment tu crois, mais moi, je peux faire, mais moi tout seul."
She continued into the second verse, as Clopin's pale eye scanned the hills around them. They did appear to be completely alone, but Cosette's voice had been known to attract others before, and he wanted to be ready for them. She was probably hoping for the company and the chance to show off, but he was less eager to meet strangers.
[/html]