Blackberry's cruelty had perhaps reached an all-time high. They had both known that this would be the time. A cycle had passed since her and Huckleberry's scuffle and their killing of the magpie by her command. Enough time for the hybrid within the gem to fully mature. It would hatch soon and Blackberry had forbidden Huckleberry to attend.

They had screeched, they had cried, they had begged, but she was unmovable. They would not be there to witness Cloudberry's hatching. That gemling would be hers and hers alone. After all, they had given it to her. Now that they were trying to take it back? Now that was insulting. Blackberry's talons dug into the earth at just the thought of them trying to steal the gem away from her. She had caught them once and had given them a good thrashing. They hadn't tried again.

She looked over at the deep sapphire and wondered if the thing inside could see or hear. She doubted it - after all, she couldn't remember anything from when she was in the chrysalis before she had hatched. She remembered waking up and that was it. There was no way any of Huckleberry's words or actions had gotten through.

But that was enough thoughts about her traitorous child. The time was arriving soon. She turned her thoughts to Cloudberry and their imminent arrival. It was always exciting to take in a new child to the family and always an experience raising them. She had a feeling that this one would be special.

Blackberry narrowed her eyes as the crystal began to crack, warily casting a glance around her to make sure that Huckleberry hadn't decided to intrude. She watched the creature tumble out and found herself pleased by their appearance. She could see herself in them, she could see Blueberry in them, and she could see the magpie as well.

As the little wet newborn tumbled out in front of her, she didn't move away, instead letting them bump against her, feeling some of the fluids stick to her feathers. But she didn't mind. This was a very special child, after all.

She leaned down and carefully nosed the little creature with the smooth side of her beak. "Cloudberry. I have been waiting a long time for you."

Triumph raged through Huckleberry but she let none of it show on her features. She had successfully convinced this child that she was xir mother and it had taken merely her presence alone to do the job. "Yes, my child, I am you mother." She raised her wing to gather xir close to her, against the smooth, natural feathers of her side while keeping the sharp quills of her wings as flat as she could. She wanted xir close to her so that xir could feel her warmth, trust and lover her.

But this was also her own affection that she was showing. Despite knowing that Cloudberry wasn't actually her child, xir was still her flesh and blood. And she was still posing as xir mother. The affection and bond between a mother and child lit within her once again and she pressed her neck against xir. "I'm so happy that you're here."

Blackberry stared back into those eyes, those dead, lifeless eyes and suppressed a shiver. She felt a sudden feeling of nervousness - was there something wrong with Cloudberry? Of course, xir parent was Huckleberry after all and xir other parent had seemed to have some kind of brain damage. It wasn't only possible but probably likely. Well, nobody in the family was perfectly normal. Blackberry pushed the thought aside. This would not change anything.

"Yes of course you can." With great effort, Blackberry pulled herself away from Cloudberry's side and stood, walking a few steps away before she stretched her neck up and let out a shrieking cry - the sound that announced a family meeting would take place. The sound would carry across the tunnel and perhaps into Orion and Polaris as well. If they were nearby, they would hear the call.

She sat down again and pulled them close, her eyes sharply watching out for any movement of Huckleberry. If they dared betray the secret, they would be sorry.