Frogspawn Swamp I worked hard all my lifetime

Ceridwen parried, suggesting they discuss the definition of infinity. Towhee blinked, face scrunching in thought. She wasn’t entirely sure she knew what it meant… though wasn’t that the point of Dwin’s query?

Before she could formulate a response, something moved underfoot. Towhee looked down and saw a snake slithering through the muck. She instinctively leaped backward, only to disturb a second snake, which wriggled away in a similar fashion.

Okay, fuck this, I’m out, Towhee announced unceremoniously, giving Dwin a quick glance before darting back toward the copse.

She kept an eye peeled for snakes as she ran, the fur all along her spine standing in a ridge at the thought of stumbling across another one. It wasn’t until she reached the far side of the swamp that she felt she could breathe a sigh of relief. That was also when she realized she’d essentially skipped out on her homie.

Dwin! she shouted, probably more loudly than necessary. I’m over here!

Hopefully she hadn’t lost her until their next chance encounter. Supposing she rejoined the old crone, Towhee would try to explain her behavior. She’d just spoken of brushes with death, though the worst one she’d ever experienced was that goddamn snakebite a couple years back.