Firestone Hot Springs i'm leaving with the light

Cortland had wandered away from his companion, still gripped by infection and finding himself more concerned by it with each passing hour. He didn't want Phocion to see that he worried— he didn't want him to see the times he set his paw on the ground forgetfully and immediately regretted it, or when he had to pause in their travels because he was fatigued. So the Mayfair boy set off on his own for the day, half-hoping to find his own solution to the problem.
The hot spring was an entirely foreign sight to him; he paused when they came into view, studying the steam rising from the water with curiosity. His approach harbored no apprehension— even when he scented a stranger nearby and turned to look. The girl, soaking herself in the water, was mottled pale and sunset; her tail was unusually short, he noticed. Overall— undeniably interesting. He moved towards her slowly, stunted as he was without the use of one paw. Hello.