She noticed
@King’s absence the last few days and a part of her brain tells her to be worried. That he is no longer around to help with the caring of Anatha even though she’s old enough to take care of herself, and likely has been. She’d been thrust from the ocean onto an island where there’s not a soul she knows and Cascada was quick to take her under her wing. He is no longer there to help them with hunting, resulting in a few days without eating herself but she still makes an effort to search for something to keep the girl satisfied. They have the whole pack now, it seems, even if she is reluctant to give in.
Slowly, she opens her eyes to the morning sun. She can’t explain why, but it always seems
brighter on the island. She hasn’t looked too much into it so much as accepting it and with each no morning, it is less and less obvious. Cascada carefully moves so she doesn’t bump against
@Anatha anymore than she has to before disappearing from the sleeping grounds. As her body gets the kickstart this morning instead of her head, she mindlessly wanders around until she hears the roar of the ocean up close instead of something faint and uncertain.
While she has not properly marveled at the sea and how she came to be on this side of it, she doesn’t find this day appropriate. There is a bigger can of worms in the way than she feels like she can tackle and setting it aside has become just as easy. Her jaw tightens as she turns, noting the heap ahead on the shore. She doesn’t think much of it until, as she gets closer, to starts to move and attempt to stand on wobbly limbs. Her hears cup forward but it is the only attention she gives as she meanders her way closer instead of rushing to her side as she may have used to.
Instead, she chuffs for attention as she curves around to put herself into eye sight so she does not startle. It is then she realizes who it is before her and she eases up on their proximity and takes a step back.
“What is wrong?” she asks, scanning her over for any obvious signs of distress.
The response is delayed and it causes her ears to drop against the back of her head. She’s unable to find anything from the outside that isn’t related to the single word of information. There are no cuts or contusions she can see but she still hesitates getting closer. The only word she’s given to work with can be remedied but the cause should be defined eventually. She doesn’t have the reserve of herbs she used to have in Morningside and has only been able to pick at things here and there in her travels. Undersea is meant to be something permanent but she hasn’t even attempted to try and set up a cache of ready to use herbs. The island is a mystery to her and she doesn’t care much for it.
“Let’s get you some water,” she says and glances to the sea, ready to open her mouth but she quickly snaps it shut. Having never been near the sea until she washed up on the island, she has to remind herself it is not pleasant nor drinkable. Her nose wrinkles in thought, then looks back to Maera. “Can you follow me?”
It was strange for Maera to feel weak, at least physically.
She takes pride on being a wild creature, a warrior, though right now she feels anything but. With her knees still trembling the flame tries to bring her hazel eyes to fall upon Cascada, an unspoken plead within the greenish specks that adorned them, help me.
Though the Sveijarn trusts her strenght, she also trusts the frail voice inside her head telling her that this time at least, she cannot afford to not seek aid. Sometimes, the strongest is not the one that doesn't need anyone else and thinks they're invincible but the one that can admit to needing help and know that there is no such thing as being invincible. The female asks if she can follow and Maera feels another wave of nausea rise from the depths of her stomach up towards her throat. Her whole frame shakes as a shiver causes her to tremble.
She dares to take a step forward, her shoulder seeking Cascada's side as support. "can't alone" she manages to bark as response, her tail hanging limply behind her as she tries to mantain the equilibrium she still has.
When it is obvious the woman can’t walk on her own, well before she’s answered Cascada hangs back to give her time to catch up. She braces herself in the sand to take on the leaning weight of the stranger so that she can get her from where they are to fresh water. She’d gotten used to going to one particular spot, as it is all she knows and can easily provide for Anatha and herself. It is only when the other woman has steadied against her form that she begins to take a few steps forward, slow and steady, and keeping the other upright as long as the other can keep going.
“It’s not far from here,” she tells her after a while, able to lose the sound of waves and hear the fresh twinkle of water they can drink. They reach the destination and she gives the woman a chance to drink and settle her tired form on the ground. Eventually, Cascada departs to search for herbs to help soothe her stomach and she returns to give her the best care she can muster.