despite the threatening weather on the horizon -- or maybe because of it, considering bat's own proclivities -- blixen and @Wildfire take the day to comb the territory surrounding drageda for any trace of her missing baby sister. she stays close to her mother's side, nervous to be far from drageda (god forbid she go and get herself lost again). the search is fruitless -- her mother does not want to lead blix too far from home, when she might be needed, and secretly the young commander is relieved.

they pause for a rest in the marsh, blix made curious by the remnants of destruction in the area. the birds make a quick meal, too -- sated and a little more at ease, she stretches her legs, taking a short walk from her mother's side (but careful to remain nearish, just in case). 

a flash of movement catches her attention: she watches a stranger tear into a bird, admiring the grace with which she takes it's life (okay, that's a weird one even for her) -- the woman is sturdily built and handsome in a way that briefly reminds her of ajatar. she waits for her to finish eating before moving from her spot, drawing forward across the shallow pool to greet her. only instead of the smooth introduction she plans, she misjudges the strength of a water-swollen log, and it cracks loudly under her paw, collapsing her face first into the muddy pool with a surprised yelp.

so much for being smooth, she thinks dazedly as strong jaws pull her from her watery fate and toss her toward safety. blixen splutters on the ground for a moment, embarrassed and frankly, more than a little turned on by the effortless display. she usually imagines herself as a protector-slash-rescuer -- having the tables turned? a little bit hot. not gonna lie.

but also a total destroyer of ego. awkwardly the redhead rises to her paws, shaking herself off. "thanks, yeah, i'm fine," she says sheepishly, "sorry for interrupting your -- uhm, you. my name's blixen, by the way."