Blacktail Deer Plateau together we map the world

Saēna eventually found her own feet, so Osprey let go of her and ran all the faster, casting sidelong glances over her shoulder to make sure her sister was keeping up and to make sure the goose wasn't. It waddled after them for a few dozen yards before blasting the air with a few indignant honks. It did not seem keen to pursue them any further.

Gasping and panting, Junior led Saēna into the shadow of the plateau and huddled up against the rock wall. "T'at... was..." She didn't even have the words, nor the breath, to finish. Wild-eyed, she stared at Saēna, so many thoughts running through her head. She was madly impressed by her smaller sibling's actions, though even now she felt herself growing reluctant to acknowledge the little girl.

Before the window of opportunity closed entirely, Junior said, "You was weal bwave, Saēna-na." She sounded a little awed, then bit her lip and fell silent. Her verbal praise would end there, though Junior would never be able to look at—or treat—Saēna the same way again after this.