She's settled in fairly well, actually. Though there aren't livestock on the island yet, Jael would like for there to be. Already scheming in her head, she'd taken a few days to really walk the resort property. Learn what it had to offer, and learn what hadn't been restored yet. In particular, an empty swimming pool behind the complex looked promising. Though it was still caked with near-composted leaves, litter, and debris and currently host to some murky, ankle-deep water, Jael was no stranger to hard work. Her endurance was still lacking, and she needed to take frequent breaks, but she wasn't going to let that hold her back. Especially not when she was dialed in, fully focused on the task at hand.
The first order of business was getting everything out. Her going was slow, with just a shovel and a bucket. Clearing away the grime from the shallow end of the pool, one pail at a time was going to take ages but it wasn't like Jael didn't have the time. Integrating into the pack? Maybe not something she understands. Doing hard work? That's something she gets. Feeling useful. Like she's contributing. If Jael doesn't have a specific job to do, she will assign herself one. Maybe it'll be ridiculous, but she'll do it and it'll be great.
Dialed into the work as she was, Jael doesn't see the snake. The creature lurked subtly among the sodden leaves, the swampy compost mixture. By the time she's within striking distance, it's too late. Thankfully, the anaconda is slow and clumsy on land. Jael is small enough to look like a meal in the eyes of the beast, the massive rope of muscle throwing itself at the girl with startling force. She scurried back, hackles up. Already snarling, feeling twinge of her still-healing ankle when she steps back on it too hard.
Relentless, the snake struck again. This time, it manages to glance one of her forepaws, slicing the skin with a curved fang. Jael yelped, but she knew she couldn't waste time. Striking in retaliation, the girl lunged, grabbing at the serpent with her teeth. They find purchase, if barely, on the scaled beast. Already it was looking to tangle her up. Jael knows the anaconda will have the advantage in the water. She needs to keep it to the relatively dry shallow end, out of the rank soup that came together farther down.
Professor
