Shadewood Fall into the deep end

Before departure, she slumped by the river. The movement of travel caught up, and all at once, the exhaustion hit before it was time to embark on another journey. It was a ritual, settling and leaving. 

Her body existed and she could not quench thirst until she was lapping for minutes, head falling over against the ground and allowing a cheek to be cooled down by racing waters.

Breathe, take in songbirds. Beginning to fall asleep to the whitenoise of the earth.

Waawaashkeshi wanders far from the copse today, her paws pushing her further westward. Now aware of her pregnancy, she knows that soon she will not be able to move so far. Best to make the most of the time she has left. Her bump is still small enough for her to be mistaken as plump, but in weeks to come it will swell to be unmistakably round.

A new presence has filled the area, one that leaves her curious. The scent of wolves fills the air; many, a group travelling surely. With her recent interactions between strangers being so negative the gilded woman is careful to avoid the clouds where she can, slinking in shadows and slipping through shrubbery, but she pushes this away at the sight of a young girl so clearly exhausted.

Surely this one won't bite.

Looking to and fro, she then approaches with soft steps. Are you alright? Her tone betrays her concern, Keshi unable to do much to mask it.

Eyes flitted open and stared at the water. A violent reality would await the curious wanderer. Though it was the tiredness of travel that kept the girl's head fallen into the stream, it was not her entire head that was gone. "I appreciate your concern."

Nodding once, mind buzzing and unable to think much beyond duty and truth. "You're kind." 

"I do not think the rest here would appreciate that the same." Nutuyikruk knew she should not either, but the woman sounded..warm.

She smiled at the girl's words. That's their loss then, hm? She did take a moment to glance for these other's momentarily, however. I'm a fast runner, so don't worry too much. She added with a squint of her eyes when she did not spot anyone.

What has you so exhausted? She asked, sitting down for the moment to rest her own legs. It had been a long time since she'd seen a wolf lay with their head in a stream like that, especially one so young. It made her wonder what they could possibly be doing out here.