With Wulfsige remaining unresponsive, Wilder turned and fled, hearing the pawsteps of Aether behind her. She cursed to herself, feeling the sinking heaviness of loss and disappointment - in herself and her abilities, how she'd been unable to stop them or even slow them down!

She grit her teeth and her claws slid out of her paws, still hearing the screams echoing in her head. Why couldn't she ever do anything right?

At least Wulfsige - she'd come back for him. And in the meantime...she needed to become stronger.

*exit

She thought that she'd had the insect's queen in her grasp, but then there was suddenly something large and mushy wedged in her mouth. She gagged and leaned forward, spitting out the banana along with the remains of some of the swarm. Not the queen, but they'd learned their lesson, the angry buzzing slowly dying away as they fled. She made no move to attack them further, more concerned with the family, those that had been affected by the fighting.

The first on her mind was Ananke. She turned, trying to see the white rabbit through the splotches that still hindered her vision, and made her way over. "Ananke, sister," she rasped, reaching a hand out for her. "Are you alright?" She wished that she could help the way the others could, but she did not know the healing magic of the hive just yet. So, instead, she conjured a banana in her hand, not unlike the one Legion had used to escape, and offered it to Ananke, perhaps as a way of comforting her shock.

@Ananke

Jinyi's calm, a tender sort that promised care for his fellow Drone, rolled in as a warm breeze compared to the frigid temperatures dominating Halcyon's mental landscape. The force of optimism collided with its opposite, and though the result was not catastrophic, it was far from ideal: from their curled-up position on the ground, shaken by subtle tremors of pain, a weak wheeze of laughter forced its way past gritted teeth. Humor drifted outward as a dark storm cloud, swollen with icy precipitation.

Naturally you will, they softly remarked. But what of the poison Chaos has dripped into the brains of those that are not their kind? How do you intend to mend their damage when so much sense of right and wrong has been eaten away from them. Have you a remedy for the sickness of twisted thought?

I suppose, followed a sigh, I ask for solutions too swiftly when the problem must first be examined. A pity, but that is the way of things we must all observe.

The blanket drawn tightly around them had concealed the worst of the injuries inflicted. Now it was pulled open the slightest to allow a glimpse of the patches of exposed flesh all over their body. Burns significant in their degree, clear fluid did not seep from these wounds; they were pale and dry, the texture reminiscent of dusty wadded cobwebs. Rendered symmetrical, of course, by Ananke's efforts to reverse the harm, the overall picture could've been worse. Nevertheless, it lessened the friendly appeal Halcyon had been designed with.

Bravery—it is you who'd be better credited with that virtue. Heal away, as you've so boldly offered.

An arm, steady despite everything, extended past fabric and into view. Waiting for the treatment it'd been assured of.

@Jinyi

The righteous rage, impotent as it might have been, still seared through her. The offer of banana took her by surprise enough to defuse just a bit of it, and she turned, eyeing Lamia as she tried to reorient her mind and her emotions. It was a jolt, enough to have her look around, to assess--to see that they had won.

Their enemies were leaving; Mother had, truly, sent the Praetors to protect them. And-... Injuries, she realized. She sent a brief but heartfelt jolt of gratitude Lamia's way--a wordless assurance that she would come back for the offered fruit. But for now she hastened with hopping leaps for Jinyi and for Halcyon, intent on offering what aid she could. With the Hivemind behind her she knew that healing was already 'spoken for'--so she aimed merely to assist.

Once again, it failed, and she had to tamp down her fury, her building frustration. "I've failed us," she stated bluntly, and aloud--though it was of secondary importance to the wounds here, and she knew it. I will train. If anyone wants to join me, I--need to ensure this never happens again. There was a fierce determination to it, a disappointment in her own letting down of everyone here today.

She came back to the banana, splitting it in her teeth, and ate--then carried the rest toward Halcyon and Jinyi. Thank you, she sent to Lamia, strong and direct. She would stay here until wounds were mended--providing what weak protection she could, and what little support, until all were safe to leave. But her mind was already swirling with her disappointment, reaching forward and beyond--into a future of self-perfection, where she would not simply fail the Hive.

@Lamia (exit Ananke)

Legion fled. White-hot fury raged in them. They knew they were outmatched, saw the others fleeing; part of them wanted to remain and fight right to the death.

But the nagging, horrific knowledge that conversion, not death, awaited them... that sent them fleeing in their diminished cloud, seething at the loss of so many of their own drones.

They would fight-... not here, not now. But they would fight. And soon.

exit Legion

Lamia offered sympathy to her sister - no, she had not failed. Even if her magic had faltered, her words spurred them forward. That is why she is Mother's Priestess - not because she is the strongest fighter but because of her strong faith in the family that in turn gives them strength.

But Lamia did not push for her to reconcile with herself, for now. They had won here regardless. They would protect this cave and continue Mother's advance wherever she needed.

*exit

Catalyst was stunned at first. Ananke was blinded. Halcyon was badly burned. Her beloved siblings in chaos and agony. Horrifying disarray. When Her leaders came, Catalyst had been relieved. Triumphant joy swelling her heart. "You--" Catalyst choked out. Her claws curled into her palms. "You let them leave Mother!? After what they've done to our siblings? They don't deserve mercy!" Catalyst paced in a circle, trying to ramp down the rage that bubbled to the surface.

Her siblings emotions overtook her. The link filled with fear, rage, and a sense of failure. They had won, yes, but was not how things were supposed to go. Their attackers we're not supposed to leave unharmed. Catalyst was a good daughter. She would obey Mother. Mother was always right. But right now, it really didn't feel like Mother was right. Frustrated, Catalyst raked claws across the ground. "FLEE THEN!" Catalyst barked. She bared teeth, a crazed glint in her eyes. "I dare you--I dare ANY of you to stay! I'll tear you apart!" It was not a threat, but a promise.

Catalyst paced the length of Gemini. While their aggressors may have fled, the feelings did not. And so Catalyst simmered, staying on guard while her siblings licked their wounds.

;Exit Catalyst (but not really)