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11-06-2016, 08:29 PM
After his strange encounter with the fairy-thief Aisling, Howl had been left with a profound sense of loneliness, of aimlessness. He explored this feeling as he was wont to do—by letting his hooves guide him wherever they might find fulfillment. Today, they sunk in shifting sands, sometimes straying into the brine and foam. The ocean breeze made him feel at home; at least when he closed his eyes. He imagined grey winter mornings with his sister, catching crabs and making sand-castles for them, a cold northern wind presiding over the preoccupied youths. Long-healed and slight wedges of split flesh carved from his nostrils attested to small acts of savagery performed by crab-claws. The silver stag closed his eyes. He let a long breath pass through his nose, rattling his bones. Just as he wished for a stranger to interrupt his errant thoughts, the rims of his furry ears swiveled forwards to catch the distant hum of voices. An eye opened, his golden iris lit by a stray sunbeam. Far down the shore was a small gathering, hushed and not-so-hushed words exchanged in an excited and ruinous manner. Howl paused, wavering slightly in the wind, as if any little change in its direction or intensity might set him off. His tail gave a curious flick, pale hairs dragging through the sand. What was it about Helovia that inspired such large gatherings? After weighing his options briefly, he finally decided to investigate.
Howl picked up a brisk trot towards the congregation. As he approached, the grey noticed the crowd's focus: a dark nebulous impression of a mare and some horse-shaped creature seemingly dragged out from the sea. Not for the first time in his wanderings, his heart clenched—could these beasts be associated with the Witch? Head lowered cautiously, he sidled up between two other bystanders on the periphery, careful not to cuff any neighbors with his horns; perhaps if he would observe for a moment, he could better assess the situation.
Howl picked up a brisk trot towards the congregation. As he approached, the grey noticed the crowd's focus: a dark nebulous impression of a mare and some horse-shaped creature seemingly dragged out from the sea. Not for the first time in his wanderings, his heart clenched—could these beasts be associated with the Witch? Head lowered cautiously, he sidled up between two other bystanders on the periphery, careful not to cuff any neighbors with his horns; perhaps if he would observe for a moment, he could better assess the situation.
![[Image: FjjyuiY.gif]](http://i.imgur.com/FjjyuiY.gif)
