The sun hasn't even peeked over the mountain's shoulder when Pip, Lula, Penelo, and Sera sneak away from camp, giggling like kids ditching chores.
Pip leads the way, beeping excitedly, a chirpy little melody of adventure, while Lula flies lazy loops overhead, her glimmering scales catching the first light. Penelo skips along barefoot, ears flopping as she hums a tune about "early morning mischief," and Sera just cracks her neck with a grin and mutters something about needing a splash to wake up her thighs.
The four wander uphill until they stumble upon a bubbling spring bursting from a mossy cleft in the mountainside. Water trickles down into a shallow rock basin the size of a big salad bowl.
The girls gather around, hopeful, then collectively groan.
"That's it?" Penelo asks, poking a toe into the puddle. "This is barely enough to soak my toes."
Lula scoffs, arms crossed under her chest. "This is a cruel tease. I want a hot spring. This is a hot... puddle."
