She carefully placed him on a smoother part of the stone, then reached for the herbs she had gathered earlier. The leaves were long and narrow, with a faint bluish tint and a sharp , medicinal scent .
"Mmmm....these should work," she murmured."if I remember correctly..."
She paused, thinking through the fragments of the instinct knowledge that came with this body .
"Moonleaf vine" she said after a moment. " Good for stopping bleeding and helping wounds close faster."
Selina picked up a few of the leaves and crushed them between her fingers, releasing a thick, slightly sticky juice.
"Not the best smell," she commented, wrinkling her nose slightly, " but useful."
She leaned closer to him , her expression softening just a little as she gently parted the fur near his wound.
"Hey... don't complain," she murmured. "This might sting a little."
Carefully she applied the crushed herb paste onto the injury, pressing lightly to make sure it settled properly. Her movement were slow , controlled far more gentle than her teasing personality suggested.
"There we go," she said softly. " See ? I'm taking very good care of you."
The small beast twisted faintly, reacting to the sensation.
Selina immediately smiled.
"Oh you felt that?"she teased. "Good. That means you're not completely out of it."
She finished wrapping the wound using strips of large leaves, securing them in the place with thin vines she had gathered.
"Mmmm ....not bad" she said , leaning back slightly to admire her work. "I'm actually pretty capable."
Her gaze drift to his face again...or rather , his tiny beast face .
"....still cute" she added quietly. Then she blinked "... Ah"
She turned her head to the corner of the cave where she left her earlier catch.
"The rabbit", she said.
Selina stood up, stretching slightly before picking it up with her tail.
" I should deal with this before it goes bad,"
She murmured. "And ....I need to eat too."
She glaced back at him one more time. " Don't wake up while I am gone," she added lightly. " Or do ... Kind of want to see your reaction."
With that, she slipped out of the cave again, heading toward the river.
The sound of flowing water greeted her once more, calm and steady.
Selina stepped onto the damp ground near the edge, setting the rabbit down as she looked at it thoughtfully.
"Alright," she Said, rolling her shoulders slightly." Let's see what I can do."
Her hands shifted slightly and her nails changed . They grew sharper , stronger , more like claws, catching the light with a faint sheen.
Selina blinked, then smiled . " Oh ...that's useful " she said. "I like this."
She crouched down and began working, using her claws to carefully cut through the fur and skin. Her movements were precise , guided by instinct more than experience.
"Mmmm...not as hard as I thought," she murmured. " This body really knows what's it's doing."
After a bit of effort, the rabbit was cleaned.
Selina leaned back slightly, wiping her hands with a nearby leaf.
" Not bad for a first try" she said , sounding pleased with herself. Her gaze shifted to the water.
Then she looked down at herself.
".... I should clean up too". Without hesitation, her form shifted.
Her long tail separated , reshaping into two legs as her body transitioned into a more human form . Compared to her larger snake form, she felt noticeably smaller now lighter, more compact.
"Mmmm...I really shrink like this," she said, glancing down at herself. She stepped into the water , letting it wash over her skin.
" Cold ..." She murmured softly, though she didn't step back . " But refreshing."
For a moment, she simply stood there , letting the water rinse away the dirt and the faint traces of blood. Her expression relaxed slightly, her usual playful edge softening.
"... Not bad at all," she said quietly.
After finishing, she stepped out and glanced around. " ... right, clothes," she added.
She quickly gathered a few large leaves and flexible vines, weaving them together into a simple covering.
"Mmmm.....this works" she said , adjusting it slightly. " Not fashionable,but acceptable."
Once done , she picked up the cleaned rabbit and turned back toward the cave.
On the way , something caught her eyes. "... Oh?." She slowed her gaze settling on a cluster of fruits hanging from a nearby tree. They looked familiar similar to apples, but slightly smaller and tinted with a soft golden hue.
" These look like...apples," she murmured. " Just... different."
She picked one , turning it in her hand. "Same shape ... similar smell..." She added. Then she smiled. " I can work with this."
After tasting a small bite, her expression brightened. " Mmmm sweet," she said . " Definitely edible "
She looked around and quickly gathered more vines and leaves , weaving another basket with practiced ease.
" Look at me ," she muttered, amused.
" Already living like a proper survivor." She filled the basket with fruit , balancing it carefully before continuing her way back.
As the cave came into view, her steps slowed slightly.
"Mmmm... Let's see if you are still alive," she murmured. She stepped inside quietly, her eyes immediately going to where she had left him.
The small white beast was still there. Still unconscious and very cute. Selina smiled as she walked closer, setting everything down before crouching beside him again.
" I'm back," she said softly.
Her fingers brushed lightly against his fur once more. " ...And I brought food," she added. Then her lips curved slightly, her eyes glinting with quiet amusement.
" Wake up soon," she whispered.
"... I'm starting to get really curious about you."
Selina crouched inside the cave, carefully lowering the small white beast onto the bedding she had improvised from soft leaves and dry moss. Her movement were usually gentle, her golden eyes lingering on him for a moment longer than necessary.
"Still not waking up?" She murmured, lightly tapping his tiny head with one finger.
The little creature didn't react beyond a faint shift in breathing.
She sighed, then leaned back her hands . " You're really making me work for this , you know that?" She said, her tone playful.