Swiftcurrent Creek I'll be your surgeon, your proctor, your helicopter

Mae was, for lack of a better word, pissed. Not only had her father spared the trespasser, he'd invited her to stay. Of everything she thought she knew about Swiftcurrent Creek, its adherence to the core principle of defending their land and their own was the one thing she'd never questioned even a little. Until now.

She might have wondered why, if she wasn't too angry to care. No reason could be good enough. But what could she do? Leave Swiftcurrent Creek? Bumble around blindly and hope she ran into someone friendly?

Starve herself to death out of stubborn spite?

Starve herself to death out of stubborn spite, definitely. Mae lounged by the creek, her energy low but her will as strong as ever. She wouldn't take another meal until she heard little men singing ding-dong the witch is dead.

Arlette wandered along the creek, filling her time with looking for plants that she might relocate to the garden. She understood that some of them needed the amounts of water because they were close to the creek, but it was worth the experiment. She moved at a slow pace because of her belly that was getting a little more in the way, but she definitely could still work with it.

She was panting though, because she was hot and a little tired. When she looked up she noticed that Mae was up ahead. She doubted if the young female wanted her around. Her ears fell back but then popped up. She could always try. When she came closer she noticed the angry look on her face. Arlette knew her panting and heavier footsteps would already reveal her approach.

Mind if I rest here for a short bit?, she asked as she sat by the water's edge and little away from Mae, giving her space. The water was nice and cool, which she could definitely need. She noticed her front paws were kind of sagging and she wanted to lie down as well. She slowly lowered herself, large belly at least cooled by the water. Would she make a pregnant lady get back up again? Arlette hoped not.