His voice broke the tranquil morning air, causing her neck to twist in an attempt to locate where the sound was coming from. She caught sight of him at the edge of the clearing, unconsciously letting a small, friendly smile slip onto her maw, though her face began to burn- how long had he been standing there?

But to his apologies, she shook her head, flustered and hoping he would not feel as if he was unwelcome. No, no worry at all! Huā insisted brightly. I did not expect anyone else to wake with the dawn either, but I will welcome the company, if you do wish to stay. She gave her dark head a small shake, sending water droplets flying off the ends of her fur, back into the pond. This is one of my favorite spots on the island- maybe my favorite of all.

Huā waded closer to the edge of the pond to converse with him more easily, sending ripples cascading through the otherwise still surface of the pool. Have you found a favorite spot on this island, yet? I hope the change has been easy on you, and the Cirein wolves... but I truthfully do think that there is so many beautiful places here, it really is like a paradise. To me, at the least, She laughed lightly.

Besides this lily pond, Huā thought of the glowing cavern, the cliffs, the waterfall... the pebbled shore, or the field of flowers... there was much to see on the Cosmic Isle. But she knew the adjustment might've been difficult for the Cirein wolves, who had been residing just south of here for some time. Huā truly wanted them to feel welcomed here, to be able to call this place home with full faith in that belief. Wolves deciding to leave mid-winter would not benefit anyone, and the empress prayed by the spring they would feel well-adjusted enough to remain for the long-term, and perhaps to bring some new life to their little island empire.