Arrow Lake like paper love

@Stigmata, perhaps, but AW in case anyone wants to join! Trying to get back into the swing of things.

She crept along the banks of the lake—the honey and white of her fur had lost its glossy sheen of health as she continued to heal from her injuries. The days had slipped by, and at her first return, she had gone in and out of consciousness—falling into blissful nothing as she allowed the pain of her body to be replaced by numbing dreams that made no sense. She could not recall most of what occupied her mind during those times, but when fever finally broke, her thoughts had quieted. Stigmata had been in to check up on her often, or so she believed, but she did not trust her mind to fully accept he had been more than a phantom of her imagination.

Trepidation settled on her gentle features for now, and she gave a hesitant pause before she began to slowly walk into the cold lake waters, bracing herself at the shock of cold water against her body. It was exhilarating and miserable all at once—a reminder that she was alive—relief as she could feel some of the grime being stagnant had given her washed away—and her breath hitched in her chest at the invasion of the frigid air, causing her to wince with the pain that ebbed from her ribs from the reaction.

New scents mingled in their home. Many of them. The gypsy pushed aside her concern on the matter—even pondering if she had been correct when she had passed a den that distinctly spoke of birth. One of Stigmata’s rented wombs, perhaps? She had pushed the thought aside, placing the wall firmly in place from her true thoughts coming to the forefront, and instead focused on her worry of self-worth in a pack of wolves who her presence now hindered rather than aided.

Bracing herself, her lips settled in firm neutrality, Ketzia had waded far enough in the water that it brushed along her chest, causing the long white fur to swirl at the surface. She closed her eyes and plunged her muzzle to the water, almost hoping the water could wash away the murkiness of her emotions and mind, as well as the dirt and clumped blood of her fur.