Cassowary

Cassowary is not a resident of the  village, but a regular visitor. If something or someone needs to get  somewhere important, Cass will make the trip at little to no cost to  ensure they find their destination. Cass truly loves this work and feels  heartened to help an acquaintance, but it seems that something is  always eating at them, still. Consuming their thoughts. Sometimes they  wander far away, even while their boat is still docked at their latest  destination. Perhaps these pensive, distrait moments are why they get on  so well with Teasel.

Tooth is Cass's only permanent crewmate, their confidant, and family in all but blood. Teasel is their next best friend and a kindred soul.

Cassowary captains a cutter rig sailboat, the SV Fortitude. She's fit for 2-4 crew, a couple passengers with their luggage and a few crates of supplies, if everybody squeezes into the same quarters at night. Fortitude sails Crescent lake and the rivers of Nestor's wood, ferrying folks and things from any waterside villages, but she's also equipped to brave ocean waters.

Cass and their crew have ventured out beyond the wood, but there's not much for them yet further west toward the mountains. As for the sea... Cassowary is captivated by the Impact. 'Obsession' feels like a strong  descriptor, but crewmate Tooth might admit to its validity. They don't  recall what first drew them in, but each failed attempt to breech the magnetic forces and satisfy their curiosity only serves to deepen their determination to be the one to break through.

Brute-forcing the problem has yet to yield any significant results, as even a pair of null not-cats brush up against too much resistance, but Cass knows they'll succeed one day. For now, they'll occupy themself with busywork and shipping runs, but their mind always wanders back to plotting their next voyage out there.

Cassowary is a people person and they have many acquaintances they keep  in touch with over their travels, but their struggles with empathy and  their roaming lifestyle hinder their ability to build deep connections.  Their relationships tend to be of the 'grab a drink and catch up on  gossip' type, or the 'still thankful you helped them that one time so they write you letters' type. Not the type who will actually get to know them, really. Cass isn't sure if they're keeping that distance on purpose, or if others simply don't want to know them as anything beyond a helpful sailor, there to do what needs doing and nothing more. They're not sure what they want the answer to be. Either would be daunting to face. Nonetheless, they've found a close few companions, and maybe that's enough.