Was she going to do great? Perhaps. She remembered her fight with Kera. Was that great? Was beating the puppy and breaking her leg 'great'? Was her fight with Winter great? Getting bitten and throwing her against the wall? What about the fight with Rift? Tearing up his plants and scorning him for caring. And then the wolf. That was not great. That was the opposite of great. Whatever great was, that was not it.

Maybe great wasn't fighting. But what else was there besides holding herself above others? She was so tired, she didn't know what she was thinking. She couldn't work through the one simple question and instead realized that Moose was very close. She then started to realize that, deep inside, an unknown feeling had emerged. She liked him. She liked this gembound that was kind to her and he was a friend. Blackberry had a friend.

"Thanks," she said quietly. Before she could stop herself, she shifted over in her nest a little bit and looked at the moose expectantly, offering the space to him.


___________________________________________________________

Hear my honk.
Why are you listening to my thoughts? Get out of my head!

tags: @Blueberry
notes:

Blueberry snapped out of his creepy trance-like stare when Miss Blackberry spoke again.

"F-for what?" He asked, scooting over to take some of the space the goose offered. He didn't want to take up any more of her nest though, it was hers. She needed it too, 'cause she was hurt. So Berry awkwardly laid half on, half off of the nest.

@Blackberry

"For binding my wing. And...for believing in me." She looked away, embarrassed. What had gotten into her? She had never felt this way before and she had never expressed anything. She had all been 'get away from my spot' and 'i will destroy you!' It had never been quiet words and thank yous and kindness. She had never felt kindness.

Perhaps the horrible defeat had softened her heart. Perhaps the bloodlust had weakened her resolve. Whatever the case, she felt different. She was different. She didn't know how she felt about it.

Turning away, she rested her head underneath her wing, trying to control the tears that were springing to her eyes. She couldn't let Moose see. She couldn't let her own self see. So she sat there in silence, the salty water spilling from her eyes. Against her will, she began to shiver as she lamented over the life she was living.


___________________________________________________________

Hear my honk.
Why are you listening to my thoughts? Get out of my head!

tags: @Blueberry
notes:

Berry was baffled. For just showing her kindness? That was something she had to thank him for? They were friends. They didn't need to thank each other. He'd thank her, but that's cause she was so cool and she didn't really need him around. And he wanted her to want him around.

Watching her, Berry noticed her body shake a little.

"Are you okay Miss Blackberry?" He asked, moving his head closer to her body.

"I want to help...."

@Blackberry

Blackberry realized that Moose could see her shaking and promptly forced her body to still. "Yeah, I'm fine, just a little cold. This cave is chilly." It really was quite chilly, but she hadn't been able to travel any farther. At least the pain in her wing, which hung limply at her side, had dulled to a throbbing. Weariness weighed down on her like the wolf's magic. Her eyes drooped, but she tried to stay awake. She could rest later.

"You are helping, Blueberry, I'm happy that you're around." She barely noticed her use of the moose's real name through her hazing eyes. Finally, she couldn't keep herself conscious and, with a great yawn, settled her head back under her wing and slipped into the merciful dark.


___________________________________________________________

Hear my honk.
Why are you listening to my thoughts? Get out of my head!

tags: @Blueberry
notes:

Berry nodded and moved closer, hoping to give her more warmth. And then he used her name, which made him happy. She had told him she didn't like it, because it was close to hers. But she had called him his real name!

"I'm happy to help Miss." He told her, giving a content sigh as his eyes drooped shut slowly. He wanted to stay awake, to protect her. To make her feel safe and like she didn't have to prove herself to everyone. But he was too sleepy. His eyes finally closed, and Berry felt comforting silence and darkness overtake him.

@Blackberry

Blackberry's dreams were filled with chaos. Visions of Blueberry's face, his kind, ignorant smile and his gleaming eyes. Then they changed to the wolf, laughing loudly, his eyes glowing with malice as he lashed forward, catching her neck in his jaws. "Come back again and you'll lose more than your wing!" His voice echoed in her head, over and over again. His face morphed into Kera, snarling with rage, and then to the snake, hissing and spitting and lunging forward with venemous fangs, and, finally, the cougar, soft features contorted with rage, blood dripping from his mouth. And then the wolf was laughing and biting and forcing her to the ground with magic until she screamed with the pain and the anger and her eyes shot open.

She was staring at the underside of her wing, the images in her dream slowly melting away. But the wolf's face stayed. And Kera's and the snake's and the cougar's. They all danced in front of her eyes, taunting her, laughing at her for her failures.

Anger boiled within her. All softness from the night before had been wiped away during her sleep. She lifted her head and realized that Blueberry, no, Moose, was sleeping against her. She frowned. He was sweet and she didn't want to wake him. No, what was she talking about? She didn't care! He could follow her if he wanted, but she wasn't going to make special accommodations.

She leaped to her feet, hissing lowly at her thoughts. She stepped over the moose and began pacing the cave, restless and furious. She barely noticed the dulled pain in her wings or the throbbing in the bruises scattering her body. All she could think about was her anger and how much she hated those that taunted her, those that haunted her dreams. She would get them, kill them, tear them to pieces. How dare they try and make a fool of her!


___________________________________________________________

Hear my honk.
Why are you listening to my thoughts? Get out of my head!

tags: @Blueberry
notes:

Waking up as Miss Blackberry stepped over him, he stood slowly.

"Morning Miss." He greeted, stretching slowly before following her. She seemed angrier than last night. Did he upset her? Did he make her angry by getting too close? Maybe she was just in a lot of pain. Yeah, that had to be it.

"Miss, I hope you feel better."

@Blackberry

Blackberry froze when Moose spoke. She swiveled her head towards him, her eyes burning. "Better? There's no getting better until I see that stinking wolf lying dead at me feet." She ruffled her good wing and continued to pace. I need to get stronger," she muttered. "When I'm stronger, he won't be able to beat me again. I'll show him, yes, I'll show him. He'll be sorry he ever dared to fight me or break my wing. Or dare to gloat. Or dare to exist." But how was she going to get stronger. She thought about it for a moment. Perhaps if she fought her other enemies?

"Yes, perhaps I should find that Kera again. Our rematch is well overdue." He turned to Moose, remembering that he was still there. "You will help me, right? To defeat my enemies and heal my injuries?"


___________________________________________________________

Hear my honk.
Why are you listening to my thoughts? Get out of my head!

tags: @Blueberry
notes:

She was angry. About that wolf. She wanted him dead. A bit harsh, but that was just Miss Blackberry.

"I will! I won't run, I gotta be strong like you so you can be okay after I heal you." Blueberry enthusiastically said, almost jumping. He wanted to be like her partner in crime. Yeah! Her sidekick. And the best of friends. Berry's eyes were sparkling almost. He wanted to make sure that Miss Blackberry was happy, no matter the cost.

@Blackberry