"What would you like us to do, Laura?" Little Marian slapped her webbed hands together and wrung her fingers excitedly. The foxes stepped forward and flanked the otter on either side, waiting, looking to the deer for guidance.
At six foot seven inches tall, Laura remained unquestionably in command while in Casey's absence, towering over the others. The deer woman took a nervous glance into the surrounding trees - nothing to see, smell, or hear - and then turned to her crew.
"We can start by gathering some dead fall to make a lean to." She turned to the otter. "Marian, can you get us some long grass or reeds to tie with?"
"Sure thing, ma'am!" The otter snapped a crisp salute with a smile and proceeded to dive into the river, quickly going under and flying downstream.
"There's plenty of limbs to use!" Sandy took a look around the forest floor. John and I can gather the lot up if you'd like to pick a spot out."
"I can do that." Laura nodded. "Don't wander too far out, all right?"
"We'll stay close." John nodded, and took his mate by the hand as they set off to tackle their end of things.
Laura clopped away from the river and began searching through the trees. In no time she had found a cozy clearing well covered by trees and bush. It would do nicely.
"Laura!" She heard a voice whisper, and turned to find Sandy and her mate carrying large armfuls of long branches. They set them down carefully, looking behind themselves.
"Predator?" Laura whispered back, eyes wide, senses alert.
"Not quite!" John smiled. "I think we might have found somebody to help with the labor!"
"Come see!" Sandy waved the deer over.
Curious, Laura began following the furry duo further into the trees. They had discovered a small marshland through which the river turned shallow.
"There!" John pointed, crouching down. "Look!"
Laura concealed herself behind a bush and stared out, eyes widening in realization. "Oh my!"