The words hit her like a ton of bricks. "Mayfal?" Had they really said that? This was not the fox that she knew, no. This was someone else. And the fact that they had accused her of wanting them to be dead. "You do NOT know what I have been through. Wanting you dead? I waited for you, days without moving. I have not moved on. But you know what? I think I will now. Because this is not the fox that I know. Mayfal is dead." Comet spat. The friendly pup was surprised at how she said the words with so much venom. And the fact that she meant every word of it bothered her. But did she really?

"I'm going." she stomped out of the path and sat down in the clearing, immediately regretting what she had said. But it was to late to take back the words now. She plopped down, mulling over her thoughts. Her friend being alive was supposed to be a good thing. Today they should be celebrating, talking and doing fun things like the old times. But now a sadness settled over her that was even worse than Mayfal's death. At least there had been some hope then, but there was none now. They were alive, but not the same. Not her friend.

@Mayfal

Mayfal wanted to say something. They wanted to say everything. They wanted to scream and cry and bite and thrash until there was no energy left in their still young body. But Comet was already walking away. And they wouldn't be able to stop her. So instead, they went to the stream.

They walked into it and began to let their rage turn into heat beneath their paws. It wasn't very intense at first, but it was a start. The hissing and bubbling of hot water soon followed. Mayfal began to hate the water. Hate the very idea of it. They would burn it all away and then they would find a way to knock down the house as well. They would move far away from Eridanus and the memories it held. They would have both revenge and closure.

Just as they had suspected, Comet herself admitted that she had moved on. It was time for Mayfal to move on, too. Or at least try the best they could, anyway.

@Comet

Comet felt the air fogging up from the steam drifting from the stream that she used to play in with Mayfal. But it was evaporated now, and so was their friendship. Could she ever bring herself to move on from this? It must be easy for the fox to do. It seemed like they didn't care at all.

The moisture from the air, the steam, her magic was strong here. Comet pushed her energy into it, and the steam condensed into clouds. Ones that were grey and darkened the area. More! And the clouds burst, sending a downpour of rain, washing away the scents of the area-- the scent of Mayfal.

She stayed in one place, letting the rain soak her fur. One could have almost sworn that they saw tears run down her cheeks, but that might have just been the rain. "Goodbye Mayfal." Comet whispered, and ran out of the clearing, unable to bear it any longer.

"Exit Comet"

@Mayfal

The water was everywhere now. Comet was everywhere. And yet, she was also gone. Mayfal had heard her whispered farewell. They heard how disappointed and betrayed she was. They tried to remind themself that they had been betrayed first, that they were in the right. But the weight of guilt pelted them like the rain. For the first time, Mayfal threw a fit. They screamed into the rain and cried with it. They bawled so hard that they began to shake. The whole commotion scared anything that moved and left Mayfal truly alone.

They wanted to burn away everything, but there were too many emotions in the way. Mayfal was so tired and wanted to rest. But when they went to the house, they were afraid of hibernating again, and Comet's memory was everywhere still. They couldn't stay here anymore. They couldn't live in Eridanus any longer. It was time to leave. It was abrupt and uncomfortable, but necessary.

And so, drenched, sorrowful, and alone, Mayfal left Eridanus with the intent to never return. Only now did they start to understand what Comet's situation must have been while Mayfal was hibernating. But they pushed this understanding away. They couldn't bear the truth of the mistake that they had made. There would be plenty of time for this to haunt them later. For now, this bitter farewell was all the little white fox would be able to handle.

With absent eyes forward, Mayfal's heavy tail dragged out of Eridanus. That was the last that the ferns and mushrooms and lakes would ever see of Mayfal. At least, this is what Mayfal believed.

"Exit Mayfal"