Hushed Willows Choose not a life of imitation

it seemed she was due to be spotted. bridget's friendly voice rang out; it stopped teya's heart a moment, a beat of time during which she crept out from the undergrowth and made a failed attempt at a confident expression. "h-hello," she said to the other, the strange woman who with tucked waist and knowing stare caused her heart to quail further.
but then there was bridget, smiling beneath the crimson cloak across her features. "what ..." she questioned in a faded voice, worry leading her toward her friend, toward the droplet of blood visible above the mask.
another glance to the striking stranger, then to the water. her own mouth seemed endlessly parched; teya lifted her widewater gaze to bridget. "the blood wash off?" came her jilted, awkward words; a mouthful of marbles, and shame burnt through teya.