(sorry this took so long, life had to play catch up.)

Celine relaxed, visibly when her friend came into contact. The light touch over her upper arm was comforting, if fleeting, and finally gave the girl some aid in unloading this hug burden. She put the sticks down, reaching instead for her companion's forearms.

"I...talked...to...a bear..." she managed to vocalize. Somehow, she doubted she'd ever get used to talking to animals. "We're not safe here! She told me there's a creature here who still supported this white witch. If we stay here, we need to keep an eye out...."