lemme know I'm still alive

Hazel was learning the woods. It sounded almost silly... but she was learning how to navigate them better and better these days. Between the woods and the hot springs, she'd get her feet under herself. That was okay, right? She was doing okay. Learning how to be out here on her own. She could do this... or at least that was what she'd keep telling herself. Hazel was alright, and she was continually convincing herself that was alright. If she kept thinking it, if she kept saying it to herself over and over, she'd be alright. There was a certain fierceness to the girl, and that was what kept her alive while she was on her own.

The noon sun filtered down through the trees, creating dappling on the ground before her. Hazel was starting to feel comfortable here. Right. Comfortable, but not complacent. With each step, the girl was doing her best to take in the world around her. On guard, always on guard. Hazel had to be on guard, because if there was danger out here, she'd need to be prepared to fight or to run. Either would do, depending on the size of the creature. Either would be fine.

From somewhere off to the east, the pale and red girl heard a stick snap. "Who's out there?" Her head quirked to the side, trying to find a scent to go with the sound. A predator? Another wolf? Hazel didn't know yet.

"Speech"