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While in the town, she had heard further tales of the wonders concerning the sea, including a story about herds of huge, brownish-red creatures with teeth nearly three times as large as she. Walruses, they were called, and such a strange beast she was resolved to lay eyes on. Posing questions along the way, few seemed to know what these creatures were or where they might be found, but her curiosity did not diminish. Yosha's spirit soared when she finally arrived in a small coastal fishing hamlet and had her first glimpse of this strange-smelling new sort of water. She also had her first glimpse of a human, and was a bit taken aback by the size of some of them at first, but her curiosity proved to be greater than her unease. A kind woman, Lelenia, allowed her to take refuge in her home while Yosha stayed in the area to explore the coast. While no one in the hamlet was able to speak anything even resembling faerie, Yosha was not perturbed by this, instead relying on gestures when she needed to communicate, but spending the main portion of her days splashing about in the waves, exploring the sandy beach, and watching the fishing boats unload their haul. Here she learned that the strange walruses she had been so intrigued by lived far, far away from the warmer region she dwelled in, inhabiting icy waters where the snow and ice never fully melted. Disappointed that there seemed to be no way presently to seek these beasts out, she was nonetheless charmed by all the new creatures she managed to find here. On a grey and windy morning, Yosha was hunting about among the shells littered across the beach when she came across a small tidal pool. In the tiny pool was a desperately writhing creature with eight tentacles and tiny splotches covering its body. Immediately fascinated, she watched it for a bit before deciding it must obviously rather be in the larger sea than this barely adequate pool. She allowed the small animal to climb up onto her submerged arm, where it clung tightly to her skin, tickling her. Giggling wildly, Yosha jumped up and raced to the sea with her glistening friend, and watched in delight as it slid off her arm and into the swelling water, eventually disappearing from sight. Not normally fond of any slimy creature (she had always hated unearthing slimy and ugly creatures while exploring under rocks and logs), Yosha was quite taken with the strange beast, and managed to get a name out of the townsfolk she was currently dwelling among. Thus, she chose as her crest a speckled octopus, and took as her name a'Krahku, for the tiny beast that had as many legs as she had fingers. Not long after her rescue of the small octopus, Yosha decided to travel to a more forested area that might seem more familiar to her, but would still offer new and interesting experiences. Hearing about great cities filled with many different races and towering buildings, she decided to make her way towards such a place. Although she still hopes to one day see these strange walruses, but for now is contented with exploring an area that houses a great many races in cities. As such, she has made her way to the wood surrounding Byranth and Keratch for the time being, and has been quite enjoying herself examining all manner of races, buildings, and new plants. |
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