Arrow Lake white snake

She didn't immediately realise she had an audience at first, too focused on the gently rolling waters. She kept thinking glints of light underneath the surface were of a fish's scales, or the ripples further out was one testing the air topside. Pukei wasn't a practiced hunter – far from it – but she wasn't about to become wet and freezing in vain.

A small splash caught her attention nearby and she surged forth before leaping onto her hind legs not unlike a pouncing fox. She was hoping she had been quick enough but fish were far quicker, and whatever had made the splash was long gone by the time the girl landed front paws first into the chilly waters.

A low groan of annoyance escaped her throat as she quickly reversed back into the shallows, her front-half now thoroughly soaked. Shaking out her thin coat, Pukei cast her gaze back along the bank as if hoping a fish would have materialised there, but was instead met with the sight of a tall stranger. She stared back at him in surprise for a beat before offering a sheepish grin and wave of her tail. "Oh, hello – how long have you been there?"