Heart of The Storm

[Esme]

Iris gasped, blinking and grabbing her now-sore cheek. Had Tala just slapped her...? She blinked a few more times, eyes wide in surprise as she met her friend's gaze. Now that she'd snapped out of it, she could feel a collar around her neck, and ran her paws over it, pausing when she found the fine chain.

Realizing what had happened, she nodded gratefully to the older ottermaid. Thanks, Tala. I don't know what happened then.

Daisy gave a sigh of relief. You zoned out, Iris. When they killed that robin, you just seemed to disappear.

Iris nodded and gave her a quick hug. 'Could ye tell me the rules again, Tala? I'm not sure I heard 'em first time.' Her gaze was firm again, and while she was still unhappy about what had happened to the robin, she had now moved past the shock she had felt.

[Rausaro]

Immediately, Iris's blank eyes seemed to refocus on her surrounds, and she looked startled. It only took a moment, however, for the otter to catch her bearings again. Tala quickly signed an apology, despite Iris's thanks. I'm so sorry, Iris. I would have done it another way if I could have.

Daisy's relief was evident in her posture, and she signed her thoughts as well. You zoned out, Iris. When they killed that robin, you just seemed to disappear.

The older slave suddenly found herself hugged by Iris. "'Could ye tell me the rules again, Tala? I'm not sure I heard 'em first time."

Tala glanced over her shoulder, making sure the guards weren't listening. "Alright Iris, it's basically this. Don't escape right now, and fill the buckets with anything edible." She smirked. "And don't let them catch you eating anything." I'll show you the best stuff to eat, but you have to do it underwater, she signed.

Silently, she eased herself into the water, keeping her sense alert for anything that might be a danger. No snags or pike here, she realized as she sank lower. The ottermaid shot back up, signalling Iris and Daisy to join her.

She watched as they both apprehensively joined her in the murky flurry. Looks like I'm going to have to show them the fun way. Watershrimp or Crayfish first?