Water lapped the shoreline ferociously as a horned head broke the surface, snorting for breath. Water Sprite paddled her way towards the banks, tasty water plants in her jaws. She was stocking up while she still could, before the children to come made it both difficult and dangerous to dive deep. Lumbering to shore was awkward with her increased girth. She was no stranger to this condition; idly, she wondered how many it would be this time. Last time it had been seven- seven beautiful children, each one perfect. Their father was a kiokote; this time, her partner was an acha. Perhaps her children might not be the strongest, but they would be quick and clever. She chewed some of the lake's bounty, savoring the crunch of a tiny hitchhiking snail, as she gazed over the water. The sun would start to set soon; as it sank in the sky, the small waves sparkled with glinting sunlight. She sighed happily and sank to her knees, then rolled to her side to lie comfortably. She'd heard tales of the mountains- some of the totoma she knew claimed to miss them- but why would anyone think that harsh ice and barren rock were an improvement over the lushness of the swamp?She chuckled ruefully. Pregnancy made her introspective. It probably happened to everyone.
Looking out at the water, she noticed a bird- a swan, from the look of it- circling lower. This wasn't unusual; this particular lake was rich with duckweed and other plants. Birds came here to feed often. She watched it with no particular interest as it landed, then began to glide gracefully across the water.
Moonstone Dazzle
