Hidden, silently they sleep. Deep within a now overgrown nest somewhere within the limitless fog. Barely nestled between the hollowed out points of a tree deep within the protection of the swamp they called home. Their form almost unmoving, save for a few twitches here and there beneath their plumage. In their slumber they had grown, unbeknownst to them. Their statue now a tad too large for the nest they had fallen asleep in to be overtly comfortable. Truthfully it is a wonder how their body hadn't chafed against the inner workings of the tree. Body rising and falling with each slow and deep breath, brushing against the grain of the hollowed wood that nestled them so tenderly.

They knew not the time that had passed since the night of their slumber. They knew little of the world outside now, the events, the loss, the changes that walked through the caves. Though compared to life before; it is of little difference to what they knew and hadn't known in their early life. The were but a hatchling back then after all.

A deep hum vibrated through their bones, their breathing hastened. But still it was so slow and sluggish; but evidently more alive with the hum that often escaped this peculiar bird before. Feathers ruffled in sudden movement they wearily craned their neck from the floor. Red eyes open and so very large even at this oldened age, but so very tired. They were awake.

They blinked, once, twice, and extended their neck only to gently bonk the interior of their nest. Brilliant ruby crest rubbing against the interior of the tree that they called their own. Confusion and a sort of groan escaped the large bird. A rough night's sleep it seemed, perhaps they needed more. They were told children needed as much rest as they could get. Though upon further realization- were they moved from their previous nest? This one was, quite a bit smaller- and different than they had remembered falling asleep in the night prior.

This one was overgrown, and so small...perhaps they were a harder sleeper than previously thought. Moved to a safer location during the night?...It wouldn't be the first time if memory served them right.

Still too tired to move they could only bring themselves to open their beak. Attempting to speak- to unleash more than a soft rumble, a sound of greeting and inquiry to ones whom they thought slept just outside. Because that's where they'd always be- right by their side.

A low thrum bellowed from their chest, a sound much deeper than they had any prior knowledge of being able to make- it had evidently startled them. Eyes already blown naturally wide, feathers ruffling in a short lived panic as they attempted to adjust themselves to stand upward only to smack the interior of the tree once more with their crest. Another bellow escaped their throat, low and rumbling; followed by a form of high pitch yell. If one could call it that.

Almost comical all that escaped them was a startled "Hello!?"

Neither the voice nor answer they expected ever came to their aid, only silence and the very sound of their heart lodged in throat is all that greeted them. They were patient, or so they thought; but seconds seemed to pass like minutes and anxiety took hold. The 'young' bird struggled to stand within the nest they thought they had known so well. And yet it was foreign, the size, the overgrowth, the silence.

So unaware of the time that passed. They were confused, and thrashed to get outside the nest. Unaware that their size would make it difficult. They struggled to break free from the nest that now felt like a cage. Neck slamming against the inside of the tree, and legs shaking to raise their new collected mass; they called out in bellows. Talons scrapping haphazardly to find purchase and stability anywhere. Struggling and panicked, no words; just sound escaped their throat.

They thrashed, and slammed their crest against the walls of their nest. Once, twice, thrice. Again and again. The wood slowly splintering around their skull with each attempt spurred on by panic. Until finally they had bashed a small portion through, ruby crest busting clear through leaving enough room for their neck to poke out like some humorous comedy skit.

It was a success! Well-partially, but they were going to take the win when they could. Their head rapidly moving and twitching in all directions, trying to get a a decent look on their environment, searching for someone. Anyone. But nobody was around.

Nobody, nothing but foliage and mist. Gaze shaking they searched again. They stilled, for a moment to try and listen. But still no sound other than the blood rushing through their ears and the heart lodged in their neck. And so they kicked, they thrashed. Nothing budged. They called out again, for help; but no answer. Nothing.

Deep breathes became shallow and fast. They attempted to withdraw their head to slam it against the interior of the tree once more, but they fumbled. Legs shaking and damn near collapsing under their panicked nerves they did their best. But they tripped up, neck getting stuck between the narrow bark and chafing as it pinched as they tried to withdraw. So they could only kick in a rise of jumbled nerves. Tried their thrashing once more, but it gave them nothing in return.

It had been quite some time since he last came across another gembound, though Cetus was the perfect place for such a thing. He hadn't been feeling quite like himself truth be told. Obsession with the white doe was still at the back of his mind. Taunting him, twisting him. But he seemed....in a way at peace when left to wander aimlessly through the mists. Almost calmer, if not for the joy he took in the chase of prey.

It was all he had done recently, chase, kill, feast. To grow stronger, to be ready for when their paths crossed again; or anyone's for that matter. But as time passed so did that focus; but still it lurked just beneath. Twisting and writhing beneath the skin like snakes coiled around hot coals in his chest.

"Hello!?"

He came to a sudden stop, eyes flickering with a sudden and almost giddy interest. Licking over teeth and unleashing a heavy breath he steadied himself and focused on pinpointing this wonderful surprise. He could hear someone, bellowing in panic? Afraid? Alone?

In a world such as this, he has no choice but to search them out. Right?

"Clover Speech"
"Vicktor Speech"

They kicked, and thrashed and still they remained trapped within the now wooden cage that engulfed them. Neck pinched between the opening they had so carelessly busted open previously with such victory in their veins. What was once progress has turned into a vice like trap, false wooden jaws clapping down against them with each struggling shake and sway of their neck.

The wood was splintering, stabbing and causing them to chafe now with how much they struggled against their own doing. Plumage ruffled from their neck from where they were caught and falling like leaves to their shaky feet below. There was not much they could do about that; at least not like this. So they tried again, inhaling, bellowing, struggling.

His pelt reflected not what surrounded him, least not yet. But he was rather confident in his own abilities of the hunt to let it slide. The mists after all were thick, and his stride; silent. If this individual was indeed already being swallowed by panic he'd simply circle and stalk without raising much notice, that much he was sure of. It would be the same old song and dance, just a new partner of course.

He stalked off, the weight beneath his paws lazily sinking into the lush and wet floor below, muffled and soft. He could hear them, smell them and by now almost taste them in the air as he licked his chops. Tongue gliding over teeth that were already itching from the inside.

It didn't take him long to locate the source of the unknown panic. It seemed to be... a bird?...And by the sounds of it a large one. They were thrashing and bellowing from the confines of a hollowed out tree, evidently stuck. Their continued struggle threw the tantalizing noise through the mists. That all to familiar itch began to spread down his flank. Muscles already aflame with the urge to pounce he inhaled. Remaining calm. He simply waited to see, slowly circling from within the mists, focusing now. Not particularly caring to step here or there on a twig or two behind the poor thing.


It was after all a humorous sight.
At least to him, fading into the mists as if it was his very pelt.
"Clover Speech"
"Vicktor Speech"