Phoenix Maplewood death of a naturalist

Sesi looked on in tense silence as the two adults debated the location of the nearest herd. It quickly became apparent that she wasn't ready for a group conversation - she could scarcely hear their answers over the thrumming of her own heart. Ukko's kind offer was met with a wild-eyed stare and something resembling a stiff nod; she did want to go exploring, to take in the world like Desna did - with enthusiasm and a smile, without worrying about the ten thousand ways in which it might kill her. She would emerge from the weight of her fears if it took her entirel life to do so.

"OK. I'm going now," the youth announced, scampering off into the shadows in an explosion of flailing limbs. The pressure in her chest was threatening to overwhelm her, and Sesi didn't want to embarass herself further.