Balhira was wandering back from the marketplace, still angry that she had gotten her items nicked from the market. It was a frustrating experience, once she should have been more aware of considering the strangers were growing in their camps. Balhira didn't want to think about them as being dangerous, but now that she had encountered such a person, or group of people, the trust would be hard to come by in the future. It didn't matter if someone decided they were friendly, Balhira decided she would just stick to herself as she always did.

It was a lonely thought, and she pushed down any sort of emotions that might trickle up. She was getting older, and her art was getting easier to complete, but she did sense a lack of companionship. The sacrifice she made for her art was something she would need to accept. And the long trip home knowing the shame of losing her items didn't help with the thoughts that were creeping in.

Thankfully, or unthankfully, a distraction would easily pose itself before her.

The swamps of the Elehun were filled with hidden dangers. The menehune knew what to expect and lived easily around the creatures of the swamps, but that didn't mean it wasn't dangerous. Balhira herself made sure to travel with items that were protective, even if she wasn't a fighter. A blade was enough to dissuade a creature looking for an easy meal, and if all else failed you just needed to know where to go to avoid the animals. Ko’olonas required getting out of the waters, or staying in the shallow end where one could see where it was coming from. Whereas Ha’okis were in the grasslands and avoided the marshes unless they were hungry enough to chase into the muck.

Balhira had encountered a Ko'olona only once, and it was quite terrifying. She was higher in the marshlands, watching the waters as a youngling when the giant creature seemed to emerge out of the water. It's head was the only thing she could see, but being so young she found herself terrified and frozen. Thankfully, they were warned of the sightings and she was not in the water, but she imagined had she been there she might have not been here today.

Another time she had seen a hunter bring back the carcass, still struck at how large it was. They claimed it was an overly large one they had culled, and the village had used all the resources for food and clothing. She didn't get anything out of it, but she did try the meat. It was gamey and something she wasn't too impressed with, if she had to admit. But the elders treated it like a rare treat, a blessing from A'ai for their hard efforts and dedication to the Ko’kapu.

Thankfully, she wasn't in any sort of waters to encounter such a creature, but she did sense something else as she approached the dryer area. This was where the Ha’okis prowled, looking for nests to gather their own meals. Balhira couldn't recall if it was breeding season, though she remembered it was best not to approach if kits were nearby. But as she moved through the shallow marsh, she caught sight of one in the distance. Armored legs, keen eyes, and a gaze that shot right toward her, the taller woman looked out back at the creature. It was quite beautiful from a distance, the danger muted considering it would need to wander through the marshes to get to her.

The silence of the area didn't move past her either, and Balhira even felt her heart slow and into pace with the gentle breeze as she watched the creature take another long pause, before turning and darting into the tall grasses into the distance.

The moment was over as suddenly as it began, and the sounds of the forest waking up filled the air like a symphony. Balhira shook her head, amazed at the beauty of the world and how so many people ignored it. She continued on her way, energized in a new way compared to the depression she had fallen in to before. It was amazing to consider the reality of what was before her, and an important reminder about the why behind what she did. It wasn't about the money, but the art and appreciation of nature and the gifts they were given each and every day. As long as she remembered that, maybe she would continue to make it through happy.