it is sound rolling over water, low and unimpressive, that breaks her from her trance. her eyes drag from the ripples to the darker shape beyond them, and something in her face goes flat all at once—there is no spark of alarm left in her to give the stranger.

a body across the way. a man—burly with broad shoulders and corded muscle all through his limbs.

for a beat, she looks through him. a short, vacant stare as if someone hit her reboot button. for a second—just one—she thinks maybe if she stays still enough, he might turn into someone else or disappear. or perhaps she would. she'd certainly like to now.

always back to instinct, her tail tucks against closer her legs. a pink tongue darts to lick her lips. ..yes?

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