The sun hadn't even peeked over the mountain's shoulder when Pip, Lula, Penelo, and Sera snuck away from camp, giggling like kids ditching chores.
Pip led the way, beeping excitedly, a chirpy little melody of adventure, while Lula flew lazy loops overhead, glimmering scales catching the first light. Penelo skipped along barefoot, her ears flopping as she hums a tune about "early morning mischief," and Sera just cracked her neck with a grin and muttered something about needing a splash to wake up her thighs.
The four wandered uphill until they stumbled upon a bubbling spring bursting from a mossy cleft in the mountainside. Water trickled down into a shallow rock basin the size of a big salad bowl.
The girls gathered around, hopeful, then collectively groaned.
"That's it?" Penelo asked, poking a toe into the puddle. "This is barely enough to soak my toes."
Lula scoffed. "This is a cruel tease. I want a hot spring. This is a hot… puddle."
