Bridge to Terabithia

The woman nodded to the strange bird as she hopped up onto her back. She winced slightly as she felt the tip of her claws, but luckily her thick pelt protected her skin from the worst of it. "It's my pleasure, bird." She waited until she had a firm grip before moving, and once the big Bird was safely on her back, she began to wade further upstream where it was shallower. Ears flicked back as the bird introduced herself as Flamie, an odd name but perhaps not for a bird.

"Flamie? Well, it's nice to meet you! My name is Avalon." She glanced over her shoulder, offering a smile to the large bird as she carefully made her way through the water. It took several long minutes, but at last she found lower ground that would make it easier to escape the water. The woman would make a quick jump from the water, front paws pulling her up and hind legs pushing her forward. Once they were on firm ground, she waited for Flamie to get off her back so she could shake her pelt free of water. "Here we are, firm ground! Oh, and there's really no need to thank me. Saving a life isn't a favor."