As they walked beside the river, Laura was still feeling uncomfortable about her canine partner. "Casey," she asked, "what are you going to do for food? I mean if I am still only craving plants, that means you still only crave meat, right?" The wolf sighed and said, "While I don't expect to expand my diet, I have no desire to eat anyone that is like us. If it makes you feel any better, I will eat when you are not looking." As Laura processed what Casey said, another concern crossed her mind. She asked, "What if we come across predators that don't share your sentiments?" Casey gave a sly grin. "Don't worry", he said, "I will convince them otherwise."
A few minutes later, they heard sounds of pain. From a distance, they could see an otter going through the change. "Let's go check up on the new recruit.", Casey said but Laura stopped him. "No", she said, "let me help the otter. Seeing you after that experience will not help matters. Just keep a distance until I explain the situation." Casey couldn't help but see her point.
As Casey waited for Laura's OK to come in, he heard what sounded like a couple arguing. As Casey saw what they were, he ran over to introduce himself.
Meanwhile, Laura had explain everything thing she could to the otter, who could now be identified as a female. The otter, who named herself Marian, was much shorter than Lauren, showing an animal's size would effect its anthropomorphization. "So," Marian asked, "you are traveling with a wolf?" Lauren said, "I think we can trust him." Lauren got up and yelled, "OK! You can come out now!"
As Casey came into view, both Lauren and Marian were shocked by what he brought with him. "I thought you said he was the only pred--", Marian said before Laura cut her off. "Who are your friends?", Laura asked. Casey had come back with a couple of morphic red foxes. They were slightly taller than Marian but still shorter than the deer and wolf. Casey said, "Let me introduce John and Sandy. Don't worry, they follow my "no eating changed kin" rule."
After everyone got to know each other a little better, it was decided to keep on going. "Let me go by the river", Marian said. "Are you sure? We won't know what else can happen to you.", Laura said. "Listen. I drank from the river after I changed with no problem. I think what's done is done.", explained Casey. With that, Marian dived into the river and the other 4 followed her lead. Casey look at Laura and asked, "Do you think you handled being around 2 more predators?" As she looked down on the foxes, Laura replied, "I think I can handle it." Sandy realize what Laura was getting at and said, "Don't underestimate us. I don't want you to take this the wrong way but John and I have taken down prey just as big as you." John replied, "Actually, we haven't reall--", but he was elbowed by his mate before he could finish. Rolling her eyes, Laura was actually looking forward to what awaited her and everyone else.