His misty gaze locked onto Mercurius as he stepped into his vision. Shiny gave a small whine and continued trying to clamber onto his back, but all the branches were in the way. He watched without reaction as the plant matter retracted and Shiny was finally able to squeeze her way to her spot on his shoulders as his wings sagged before folding comfortably against his sides. He glanced from Mercurius to Yew, who he couldn't help but frowning at, before dipping his head. "I'm fine," he responded, hoarsely.

He was still in a bit of shock from the explosion and he couldn't stop thinking and worrying about Huckleberry. He followed Mercurius back to his garden, but he wouldn't sleep near the other two, instead finding a corner to curl in around Shiny where he could try to work through his conflicting emotions in peace.

*exit

@Yew

The mutated springbok felt as though bobbing along Fornax’s sea waves; up and down was her mind rocked by forces she couldn’t seem to control. The chiming of her horn sounded out consistently to try and ground her, but the images before her eyes kept changes. She had begun to return to the present when the sound of Pride’s failed spell sent her spiraling once more.

This time the memories clung much harder than before. She could almost smell the fires, blood, and creatures from the fight. The air around her was suddenly thicker, harder to breath with smoke and ash. Phantom pain struck her side where the berry bird-dog had struck her and along her now plated stomach where the wolf had mauled her. In both the visions and in the present, she stood locked into silent rigidity while staring off at the horrors her mind played out, twisted by both memories of reality as well as the hallucinations she had experienced. So much was going on that she couldn’t figure out. She wanted to scream but found her throat clenched tightly by the imaged smoke and fear.

And then, she was suddenly back in the present moment. Her hide was drenched with sweat and the tiniest of tremors could be seen along her hide. Enka blinked then shook her head, trying to reorient herself to the abrupt change of scenery. The music of her gemstone had stopped as well, leaving her in a strangely quiet scene compared to what she had experienced just moments before.

But it was strange, the lively clearing with its commotion now largely vacant. Everyone had disappeared. A shiver ran down her back causing the long fur and skin flap of her rump to rustle. How long had she been distracted? What had happened? Where did everyone go? Enka sat on the edge of more panic as she glanced around. It was then she realized she wasn’t quite alone yet.

There was still one creature who had not yet left. The springbok now kirin simply stared at Yewberry for a moment. Her side where a deep slash caused by this very same creature quivered with the faintest of stings, as real to her as it was when it was first crafted by that thing and long but wicked beak. It was the same creature, the same greenish beast of bird and wolf, which had struck at her flesh with glee. Yet as Yewberry sat there with banana bits -where did that come from?- all over her face, it was hard to believe that it was the same being.

Enka felt she should say something, but didn’t know what. She attempted, but it just ended up in a loud gulp as her throat was slowly unclenching. A cough stirred, but she held it at bay. “I … I hope…” She turned away briefly, trying to figure out what to say while her skin prickled. What do you say to an enemy now neighbor? “I hope you enjoy Eridanus …. It’s … pretty nice, compared to some of the other caves….” It sounded awkward and Enka couldn’t bear to look at the other as her words hesitantly stumbled out. And with that, Enka turned and walked away as it appeared their gathering had ended, although slightly clumsily due to the strange weight of her new body. She wanted to spring up into the air and dash away, but tempered her body into a steadier gait for fear of tripping. And she tried in vain not to be bothered by the terrible memories or strangely realistic blackout she had experienced.

---

Speech
Thoughts

Tags: @Yew
Notes: Enka is leaving unless stopped by Yewberry.

A good uncle? Was he?

She couldn't say so, wouldn't have said so before, at least. Mother had made sure she was wary, had let her know that he had questioned Grandmother, had questioned the family.

But wasn't that what she was doing now? She had denounced her very name, had declared herself no longer a Bloodberry. So was he truly such a bad Uncle? They seemed to be far more alike than she had ever expected.

But then a white paw was moving towards her face, and she flinched, cowering back, only to gawk at him when he only just took the peel from her mouth. "O-okay," she nodded, watching as Mercurius addressed Uncle Huckleberry.

She stood to follow them, watching as Uncle Huckleberry followed after the white lion, tilting her head at a sudden, soft voice. To her surprise, the mutated deer spoke to her somewhat kindly, welcoming her. The hybrid gave the best smile she could, managing "Th-thank you." but the deer was gone, and so she followed after Uncle Huckleberry.

She would curl up, and fall asleep, as close as she could to Mercurius without touching him, wanting some sort of comfort but not wanting to approach him.

-exit Yew-