12/21/2025, 7:02 AM
y’var’la did not chase the first burst of wings—the taupe woman instead slides sideways, cutting low through the reeds while the herons scatter in panic, counting heartbeats rather than steps. one broke wrong, too slow to gain height, and she surged after it in a clean, sudden burst.
water flies as she leaps, jaws snapped shut around fragile bone and feather, the impact jarring but sure. the bird’s cry cut off almost immediately, wings beating once, twice, then still. she landed knee-deep in the stream, prize trapped between her teeth.
when she has cover again, she lifts her head, hazel eyes finding him through the reeds. the heron hang from her jaws, feathers darkening where the water touched them. she gave a small tilt of her head—a flash of pride. she drags her prize ashore in silence before she bounds forward once more.
water flies as she leaps, jaws snapped shut around fragile bone and feather, the impact jarring but sure. the bird’s cry cut off almost immediately, wings beating once, twice, then still. she landed knee-deep in the stream, prize trapped between her teeth.
when she has cover again, she lifts her head, hazel eyes finding him through the reeds. the heron hang from her jaws, feathers darkening where the water touched them. she gave a small tilt of her head—a flash of pride. she drags her prize ashore in silence before she bounds forward once more.