Huckleberry stood, shaking on the spot, trying not to explode with anger, holding desperately onto his confidence. He couldn't lose heart now, not after everything he'd done to better himself. This could be the thing...the thing that finally put to rest all of his doubts and allowed him to move on. He wanted very much for Blackberry not to be judged guilty, but in his heart he knew it was the right choice. By helping that come to pass, by saying everything he knew, then maybe it would bury that beat-in desire for good.

He sighed and turned away, Shiny quickly leaping up to climb onto his back. He didn't head towards the exit the word, nor towards Mercurius's garden. No, he was just going to go for a walk. Clear his head. Prepare. And, if he felt up to it, he'd help get the word out.

*exit

H E A T H E R
and lo the hues arrange to show
it's perfectly clear

Hyperactive ears twitched to and fro at the words, probably just now noticing the sheer number of folks around her. She'd calmed down a bit- her body seemed to recognize that it was not the feeding time that it so often was. She had no idea what a trial was. Obviously, it was where berries were, but what the heck was a Fornax? The fairy stepped forward as she was addressed, her ears swiveling right to attention as her eyes shone, the large green plant-looking thing stooping to her level.

"Yeah, I said I'd help find the blackberries for you!" Her tail was held high in confidence as she beamed. A long, pink tongue darted out to lick her lips. She was certainly excited for whatever she thought was happening, her tail wagging enthusiastically to and fro with wings shifting happily. "Also, you're really big," she muttered astutely, hopping back a little.

@Rift

With all said and done, Atinneas saw no reason to be at this meeting any longer. She would wait for the start of the meeting when it was time. It seemed that Blackberry had gotten herself into a lot of trouble, but it was all on her shoulders. She had to pay for the wrong she had done. Just because she had changed, does not erase all the wrong she had done, all the murders she committed. Blackberry was the main reason for the formation of the Kingdom of Eridanus. Atinneas would judge her as she saw fit, and to the white lioness, Blackberry was still a monster.

-Exit Atinneas

Aetius would not stand for a threat to the caves, or the child that was growing in her chrysalis in Eridanus. Blackberry was a monster and she would testify against her as such. Aetius was not going to let a monster roam free in the caves. There was a reason for the word "justice", and Aetius would put that word to use. With her piece said, she flew off to her nest. The white owl was ready for this trial to begin.

-Exit Aetius

Orlaith had no interest in the trial, she felt she would be more useful guarding Eridanus and tending to the garden. The tigress left the meeting and went off to find Atinneas. She wouldn't understand why her friend would want to take part in this trial, but she knew the lioness had her reasons. Orlaith would respect those reasons as well. The golden tigress moved with grace and elegance as she walked off.

-Exit Orlaith

The panther's ears twitched, picking up on... something. He looked around, but couldn't make out anything out of place--only the brightly colored flowers, and plants.

Mercurius refused to be part of everything, and Sebastian flicked his tails, watching as he greeted Oliver, and then Yew, scooping her away. They were offered a friendly chuff, a farewell and a well-wish in one, guilt rolling in his chest at allowing the pup to be hurt on his watch.

Rift addressed them, again, and he turned his attention to them. He could spread the message, realizing that he hadn't left Eridanus in some cycles, and wouldn't mind stretching his legs. But, it seemed, he already had a task, Rift brushing passed him. He nodded in acknowledgement, moving to slink after the watcher.

-exit Sebastian, unless stopped-

He was genuinely surprised that there was such a tiny creature in the caves - he had seen hummingbirds before, yes, but this was definitely primarily a canine. And it was absolutely tiny. Amusement gleamed in the eye that he used to look at the little thing. "Ah, you must have misunderstood. Blackberry is a name - she is a goose, a bird, with spikes on her neck and stomach, a sharp beak, and most likely heavily scarred. She has done many terrible things and we will decide what to do with her in the trial I mentioned. If you would like to help, finding her, but not engaging with her, is a top priority, as is spreading the word. What is your name?" He wanted to lean forward and sniff the little creature, but it seemed that his size was putting her off so he pulled his head back a bit.

"Perhaps I am," he commented with a small purr of amusement. "But I won't hurt you. I promise."

@Heather

H E A T H E R
and lo the hues arrange to show
it's perfectly clear

Heather's feathers fluttered with interest as she stepped closer, iridescence playing over the strands across her body. She couldn't imagine that a plant was talking to her. Her tongue flickered out as her stomach rumbled softly; she should be eating now, but her fascination was absolutely captured by the weird cat thing.

She deflated a little at the explanation. "So... Can't eat it?" Heather squeaked in a tiny voice, her shoulders drooping and coming together in front of her. Dang, she was really hoping for some blackberries. "Oh- but Heather can still find them!" She perked at the last offer, tail and head raising once more. Her wings shuffled excitedly. "Heather! I'm Heather! Like the flower."

She hopped up and performed a small circle-hop in place, tongue lolling out of her mouth as she panted. Boy, she was hungry. She had no clue what a promise was, and had zero concerns about this cat hurting her anyways, only stopping to stare up at them again. Her eyes squinted, and she trembled as she tried to stay still for the briefest moment.

After an uncomfortable second, she abruptly spoke up once more in a demanding little voice. "Do you have food? Are you food?" Her dark nose twitched towards the green fur patterning this creature.

@Rift

Rift chuckled, his baritone voice rumbling through his chest. "No, you cannot eat her. But you are welcome to the fruits and plants of this garden - as long as you do not take more then the plant can recover from. It is good to meet you, Heather. I am Rift, the Guardian of the Kingdom of Eridanus." His tail flicked unconsciously behind him. He was still divided on if he should call himself a King - this was, after all, a Kingdom, but the word made him feel uncomfortable for some reason. As if he were vying for power. No, the Guardian was good for now.

He looked towards the ground to his right, a small opening between a couple of plants, and tapped his paw to the warm earth. Deep within, a seed of a plant was calling to him and he begged it to grow. Before their eyes, a seedling sprouted and, within seconds, grew and sprouted into a small bush, the leaves wiggling and spreading until small white flowers bloomed and transformed into small black fruits. Once it was fully grown, Rift released the spell and staggered back a bit, a sense of exhaustion falling over him for a moment, but he recovered quickly.

Carefully, he picked a few of the fruits and held them out in his paw for Heather to take. "Here you go. Blackberries, just for you."

@Heather

Bold listened disinterestedly, beginning to graze. But Artume never let her attention wander, listening intently as the puma said that a murderer was still alive in the caves, the one who had attacked the forest some Cycles ago.

They were to hold a 'trial', although she wasn't quite sure what that was, and she flicked her ears. There wasn't much she could do at the moment, aside from look for the goose, so she nodded to Bold and turned, vanishing back into the forest.

-exit Artume-