Big Salmon Lake [PHE] wyrmwood

they'd set upon the bustling of a divine assembly, songs befell the wind and whispers as her congregation slunk toward the reaches of several encampments. reports flocked to her ears from the moths that were her acolytes, though their words told no more than what her ears nor nose did. 

they lingered through the night as foreigners of far lands joined in what she could only imagine as celebration. heretics, false gods, immoral beings ripe for her to devour. drunk to the promise of sweet potential now teasing the edge of thirsting lips. 

cautious were her trio of disciples as they arranged up their own settlement to observe the festivities of the neighboring territory. they slaved away while shamura herself took to the water's edge to bathe. dried petals scattered about the lake's surface as she washed free the weariness of her muscles. 

all the while her eyes remained watchful for those who might slip away from the liveliness and seek stillness with her.

courage returned to a paranoid girl, adalynn tests her chances by scurrying away from camp. it was loud, and annoying at the camp. this was far more her style.

but someone else is here, and the silver princess of bearclaw stands tall once she's noticed the stranger. she was to drink at this lake, but not anymore. her thirst was replaced with anxious curiosity; the need to know everything much stronger than any instinct in her young body.

a tumbleweed dressed as a girl was blown toward the lakeside. young, healthy, curiosity sprouting through the tangled mess of her gaze.

shamura slipped beneath the water for a breath before rising once more, closer now to the sliver-kissed babe. "child," she purred through the petals surrounding her.

"the water has not yet chilled, you may join me if you wish." an invitation extended with all the warmth of crackling flame.

the strange woman moved with the grace of a mermaid, if adalynn knew what such a thing was. the cub remains distance, but the elegance of each stroke warmed her ice-colored eyes.

..i wasn't looking for a swim. yet she still tests the water even through her hushed mumbling. a petal lightly kisses her ankle, floating by completely unbothered by the new presence. ada moves no further than that. instead, her gaze returns to the woman.
aren't you supposed to be hunting?

not in search of a swim, yet braved the waters anyway. the exact mutter of words was not fully digested, for the crownbearer held focus to the cautious steps that now rung out ripples.

hunting. honey-sweet gaze trailed past the girl to the distant noise of celebration. a hunt, how splendid! "i'm embarrassed to admit we are rather late in our arrival," a feigned token of regret teasing her words.

"have many arrived before us?" a question cast to the girl with a candied lure. "i do hope we are not the last." a gentle step taken toward the child as the last word swept from the edge of her lips.

you're pretty late. but you can still go knock yourself out with the hunt if you want, i'm sure. she stopped just before she'd have to swim, her legs still far too short to reach the siren. the water lapped at her shoulders, and that was enough for her. 
adalynn scoffed at the rest of the woman's inquiry. 
there's too many. i want to go home.

water brushed past her as if it were a gentle kiss, her steps halted just before she reached the babe. beads pooled from strands of fur as she adjusted herself to reach a paw forward and attempt to brush past the girl's ear, as if she were tucking a strand of hair behind it. 

home. "why do you not leave then?" a question with a suspected answer. but she wished to learn for herself why this girl seemingly tortured herself with such a festive gathering. she sought to sink her claws in knowledge but disguise them as tender brush strokes to warm flesh.

adalynn hums as shamura's paw grazes her cheek. a warmth burns where the woman's hand had touched it. her little tail wags while her heart skips a beat.

i can't leave by myself.. she stammers. it's too far! i'll get lost. we just should've never had to go..