Kethri dove down and snatched up the flesh, taking to the sky, tears welling up. Her leg was mangled at this point. Burned, now rended. If it recovered to even be usable after this, it would be a miracle. At least the creature hadn't grabbed her wing.

The owl flapped as hard as she could, a few feathers falling in her hasty retreat. Her one leg dripped blood down, hanging limply while the other one held the chunk of flesh tightly. This wasn't worth it at all, but at least she got something out of it.

How she was going to do her experiments with mangled feet was a mystery, though. Maybe she could ask Doctor to assist. That was going to be a Hell of a story to tell...

@Effluvium
Exit Kethri unless stopped.

Effluvium didn't notice Kethri leave. Why would it? Effluvium had a target, a prey item nearly within grasp, and the beast was locked on. It screamed and scrabbled at the rock, and the tiny newborn's color changing only served to make it want to eat more.

The scream was something it knew to look out for. A terrified 'NOOOOOOOO!' Words spoken. That meant it was a not-food. But no one was here to see Effluvium eat it. No one would know. It was small. Its eyes blinked, and a few checked around, to make sure it was unseen.

A guttural, growl leaked from its throat. It was free to consume. A substance raced down the wall. Effluvium ignored it at first, but as they blossomed around it, its' focus turned to them as well. The mushrooms were red, fleshy looking and bouncy enough that Effluvium snapped at them as well, swallowing them down without a second thought.

It didn't notice anything at first, and it continued clawing at the wall. Until it slowed. Its clawing became lackluster. Its forearms planted on the ground. A surge of nausea overtook it, and it stumbled away. Its' vision swam, the earth itself becoming as bright and captivating as the small thing had been. It swayed on its feet.

Struggling to remain standing. Struggling to remember what it had been attacking. Right. It was bright. And the ground was bright, too. It tentatively bit at the ground, trying to identify its food. And finding the flavor distasteful. It gave the earth a half-hearted scratch. An attempt at murder, before going in for another bite.

"When I speak."

When I think.

@Slinky

He cowered behind his barricade of poisonous mushrooms, desperately hoping it'd be enough. Enough to stave off the ravenous beast of rotten flesh clawing at the stone just beneath him.

The bird with twisted, scorched talons flew away with a chunk of the monster's pilfered flesh grasped in the less managed of the two limbs. He watched it soar, flying far away from the two of them. A flash of bitterness. He was alone. The only one who could save him from the monster was himself.

So be it.

He watched, hoping the fungal decoy would work, but poised to run should it not. He pressed himself harder against the stone wall, colors flashing fearfully. The occasionally flicker of grey would appear- an attempt to camouflage though in this panicked state that was nearly impossible. Waiting for an opportune moment to run- now if he ran, it'd just chase him.

Then, the hungry slashing and biting at stone slowed. The monstrous attacker backed away, confusion and nausea flashing in it's many eyes. When it began to claw and bite at the ground, he knew this was his chance, perhaps his only chance.

And he ruined it.

A loose patch of moss was all it took to send him and the moss tumbling to the ground, dangerously close to the monster. He stiffened, freezing completely from sheer terror, desperately hoping the monster would still be busy attacking the floor, or whatever it was trying to do.

@Effluvium

Effluvium seemed woozy. The world was a mosaic of swirling colors, strange shapes entering its field of view. It swatted at them, like a cat with a laser pointer. They seemed to seep through effluvium's hand, before moving on. It watched, fascinated, unaware of Slinky's presence. For now. Drool puddled beneath Effluvium. The result of nausea, not hunger. And then, the poor child Slinky dropped.

It was quiet. Then, slowly, Effluvium's head turned towards Slinky. Recognition flashed in its multicolored eyes. Throughout the hazy visions and nausea, Slinky was an obvious target. One Effluvium could keep its eyes on. Focus, on. It stood. Its will to eat was lessened from the nausea, but it still moved towards Slinky. Unsteady. Slipping. Slow. Even if Effluvium could not eat Slinky now, it was something to save for later. "Eat," The thoughtless monster gurgled. Not an invitation to speech, but another statement. Effluvium would take. Preserve flesh. Keep for later.


"When I speak."

When I think.

@Slinky