Otter Creek the good, the bad, and the dirty

set after the diaspora thread, staying a bit vague

She'd taken the long way through the mountains again, pace never slowing. It is only now that she sees she is a safe distance away, nearing the creek that has become so familiar, that she allows herself to slow. She halts after a few moments, allowing her prize to drop from her jaws in favor of catching her breath. Her head lifts slowly, and she glances around, tensing when she spots a figure approaching from a distance. A beat later, she relaxes and chuffs softly, realizing it is only @Eastwood.