TW: Slight mentions of blood.

Skill: Angler
Osman

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Finally, after so long, spring had come.

The air was no longer stagnant with frigidity—instead, a pleasant wind had carved its way past the forest, to the shore. The snow thawed to reveal a turf of green. And, best of all, the ice was gone from over the sea.

The moment the ice fractured and broke, Hjördis's resolve went with it—she had taken care to present herself as proper in front of the rest of Skjǫldrheim. Being courteous and calm, as quiet and uninterrupting as she possibly could. But... when the surface of water was revealed once again, she couldn't help it. She was only a girl.

With the elegance of a river otter, she slipped into the water with hardly a splash. Powerful limbs propelled her forward with ease. Her thick double coat did well to prevent the freezing-cold water from plaguing her skin with frostbite. She slid out of the water on the shore of the mainland with a wriggling fish clamped tightly between her broad jaws.

The fish wasn't alive for long with powerful teeth sunken into its sides. Blood dripped down her chin, staining her dark chest. However, her pride with her catch was so great that she welcomed the messy aftermath, tail swishing over her back, dual-toned eyes bright with excitement.

Hjördis dropped the meal at her feet, dipping her head to rake her teeth over the limp creature's body and split the scales away from its skin. And the moment the tender skin beneath was exposed, she ravenously bit down on the opulent flesh.

The coastal wolf paused at the sound of rustling nearby, within the treelines that surrounded the shore. Her ears swiveled, piercings jingling against each other, trying to detect the source of the sound.

Yet, as inept as she was, she could not pinpoint a location.

Hjördis rose with the fish still at her feet, eyes bright and content. Hey, who's out there? she chirped, y'hungry? I can share! She slumped back onto her haunches with a welcoming grin spread across her cheeks.

With the coming of Spring, the journey up north had suddenly been made much easier for the young Viking. The black wolf made his way further up the tundra, silver eyes glad to see the green grass again as it popped out of the ground through the fading frost. The air was much warmer in these parts now, doing its best to grasp for freedom from the frozen winter. Snow was still a little visible on the shoreline, and some parts of the trees. But soon that also would be long gone. Perhaps then he would fancy a swim all to himself. Speaking of swimming, his black ears perked up to the sound of splashing nearby.

It was faint, as if made by an animal that was a little more adapted to the water. What surprised him however, was the scent of wolf on the air. Osman continued his exploration of the deep forest, attempting to keep as quiet as he could. So far he had been doing a great job, until he snapped a twig accidentally underneath his great bear paw. Damnit, there's a point deducted from his skills.

A feminine voiced reached him, making it known that she had indeed heard his approach. Sorry to have disturbed you. I was just passing through. Osman stepped out from the trees, hesitant but doing his best to be polite. Maybe a little hungry, but I don't want to take your food. I can find my own if need be. The Viking was a bit too proud to take help from others, but if it bothered her too much, he just might have to.

Skill: Angler [2/5]

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Hjördis harbored a jovial grin on her face as she shook her head. Not at all, she reassured, believe me, I much prefer to be disturbed than to be alone. She nudged the fish towards him again, despite his protest. The sea here is generous. There's fish of all types—an abundance of them actually. She took a few steps away, insistent on allowing him to finish off her meal.

As if to prove a point (and simply because she enjoyed it), the seawolf bounded towards the shore, diving back into the water with practiced ease. The only indication that anything even entered the ocean to begin with was the small ripples that undulated in her wake.

And, within minutes, she reemerged with another fish. Far smaller than her first catch, but lively and wriggling in her grip nonetheless. And this fish, she seemingly swallowed whole.

She battered the excess water off her body and approached once again, coiling her tail against her paws neatly. She nodded eagerly in encouragement for the fellow wolf to accept her generous offer.

The smaller wolf pushed the fish back in his direction, insisting that he take the morsel. With a nod of his head, and a small smile, he took the fish into his mouth and swallowed it down whole. It felt good to get something in his gut, no matter how big or small. Osman then watched her head back into the water, catching another fish with seemingly relative ease. She popped out of the water, coat soaked almost to the bone.

With one gulp, she too swallowed her own meal. You are really good at that. Thank you again for the meal. You didn't have to do that. That was very generous. The black wolf wasn't used to such kindness from strangers. Even his old pack could be quite competitive and not so giving at times. I am Osman by the way. Osman Asbjörnson. Who do I owe the pleasure? It was hard for him to be so outgoing, but he was trying his best. Especially after she had put in all the effort to make him feel welcomed.

Skill: N/A

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Her tail swept softly above the gravelled ground, lips curled into a smile. It's a pleasure to meet you, Osman, she returned. I'm Hjördis. Hjördis Åkesdotter. I live with the rest of Skjǫldrheim, over past this sound. She turned, pointing with her nose to gesture at the gap of water between the coast and the Storm's Reach.

The tawny dame canted her head to the side with curiosity still glistening in her dual-toned eyes. I don't think I've seen you around... are you from around here? There was a small part of her that wondered—had this sire come from afar, transported here without explanation, just like herself?

The tide rolled upwards against the rocky shore. Hjördis flicked an ear up towards the undulating waters, gazing at it through the peripheral of her vision.

She introduced herself finally, a kind expression still on her face. It is nice to meet a valkyrie such as yourself, miss Hjördis. As for your question, I am of another land. I happened upon here by waking from what felt like a dream. Now I'm trying to adjust to this new life. Maybe you could introduce me to your new pack? Osman watched her attention get drawn to the water that was coming in slowly, moving up from his eaten meal to join her at her side. What about you? Are you from another realm before your pack here? It would help to know others that had gone through something similar to him, a kinship possibly forming between the two for mutual company and understanding. Besides, he was quite enjoying the company of such an attractive looking young woman. At least he thought so any way.