Plans for a Future Journey [Dahlia]

As the water splashed around her, Gray heard the voice of someone calling out to her. It caught her a bit off guard and as her head broke the surface she found herself coughing slightly. Her momentary distraction had caused her to choke on some of the liquid that had been cascading around her body. Much to Gray's surprise, her legs and feet quickly found their rhythm beneath the surface keeping her afloat with ease. It was only once she was safely paddling herself in place that the words of Dahlia registered in her brain. This was her sister! A wide smile began to form itself upon her features, when the other pup plummeted into the water beside her. At first, Gray thought that Dahlia could swim and was simply joining her, but soon enough the struggle became evident. 

Her blue eyes widened in horror as the small pup's head rose and dipped beneath the water's surface. Never had she seen something this absolutely frightening in her life. Dahlia could not die, this could not be happening to her. Gray moved herself closer to the pup trying to position herself so that her sibling could grab onto her and use her to keep afloat. The older pup was not well versed in swimming at all, but she was doing substantially better than her smaller counterpart. A growing sense of dread began to fill the ashy pup's tiny body, this could not be happening. Just when everything in life seemed to be getting better - her little sister could not die. Time was passing so quickly while simultaneously being in slow motion. Every ripple of the water was imprinting itself inside her memory, every splash and flail that Dahlia made would be eternal. Words seemed to evade her, how could this be a time for introductions and joyous greetings. It seemed that there was nothing she could say to make this better, it was all about action. 

Gray pressed herself against the side of the basin and took a sharp inhale, scared but knowing this was what she needed to do. Her back legs pushed her downward beneath the water. Azure eyes darted around and Gray was partially surprised at her ability to see while underneath the liquid. Focus was quick to settle upon Dahlia's flailing body and she tried to position herself beneath the female. Had she been bigger, Gray would have attempted to scruff the pup and drag her to the surface. In this case that would not do, the last thing she wanted to do was accidentally contribute to the other pup's injuries or death. Once she believed her body to be beneath Dahlia's she attempted to swim toward the surface, hoping to keep her sibling upon her back. Her own legs began to grow tired, but she forced herself past the burning sensation. Once Dahlia was safe, only then could she stop. 

The sun's light caught her eyes once more without the distortion from the water and Gray found her front legs pressed against the side of the basin. Hopefully, it had not been too late for Dahlia and she had managed to raise the pup from her watery grave. If so, the other female should be able to climb upon the basin's shore herself, if not Gray would carry her out of the water happily. They grey female just needed some time, her entire body felt shaken and horrified alongside her weak legs. She coughed and sputtered up water from her lungs. Her plan to take a large breath and hold it was pretty smart; however, in the heat of the moment, she had attempted to gasp for air on more than one occasion when trying to rescue her sister. The wall of the basin had been a solid resting spot for now for her poor weak legs could not bare to keep them afloat without support. Cautiously, Gray turned back to see her little sister - hoping that she would be okay. 

Dahlia