its a kodiak moment

her people - specifically the warriors - would run in thorn bushes. they would be whipped on the back. they would power through their pain and withstand the proverbial hellfire. a few deep lacerations and scratches was nothing compared to her training so far. her people were strong. she was strong. despite being woman, she was prepared to act like a man to gain a foothold in the world. but her people also lacked vision; they threw stones and kicked her when down. they refused to see her as anything but a child-bearing beast. she had fought to take this quest, despite not knowing the chief only allowed her to go to get rid of her.

the point was; she could not stand to show fear or weakness.

Zola looked around as he mentioned a water source and food. but her eyes lingered to the bear's carcass. "eat that" she raised a paw to gesture to the still-warm body "it grizzly, but maybe not so tough meat?" she tilted her massive head at the boy. did the wolves here not eat 'grizzly bear'? how odd. her people ate whatever they could find. lion. zebra... there was no difference when food was scarce. but she did not see a viable water source. he introduced himself as Eliphas, causing her brows to squint as she repeated his name under her breath. "Zola, is name."

she resisted flinching under his touch, though her breathing became low and short as she more or less puffed her way through treatment.

- - "Talking!" Walking. 'Thought/Others!' - -
3/3 fought a large predator (grizzly bear)