Luvena
She watched in horror, as the flames licked backward, somehow, if that was even possible. As everyone marched backward out of the woods and back into non-existence. The heavy crown was pulled from her head, sending white-hot pain through her skull. Everything was moving in a weird sort of slow motion. as if she was there and she wasn't all at once. Like she was in limbo. She could see the roots stretching down, reaching their claws towards the earth, ready to cage her in once more. There was nothing she could do to stop it.
Picoro curled up beside Luvena helplessly as she twitched in her sleep. It wasn't comfortable, her skin was hot, and what little pelt she had was damp with sweat, but he lay with her none the less, completely unwilling to leave her side. He had stayed with her through worse, and he wasn't about to leave now.
She shut her eyes as the branches began to sink into the earth, coiling into it, beginning to settle into a caged shelter. She willed it to stop, willed herself to wake up from what she could only hope was a nightmare. It was then that she felt it. A slight nudge at her shoulder. At first, she ignored it, unwilling to look at whatever demon wanted to plague her now. But she knew that wouldn't make it go away. So she opened her eyes and turned her head back. At first, her eyes rolled back, seeing only the flicker of orange, her first thought is that it was more flames here burn her. But, she quickly realized that it was not a flame, but a small cat. The world around her seemed to freeze. Though the roots had formed their storm shelter, the Artax (those giant deer that leapt through the woods) was stuck in place, mid-leap, and the raindrops that had been pelting down moments before seemed to be suspended in place.
She stared at it blankly, her eyes unfocused, confused. The little thing was thin, like her, though he seemed in better shape. She hadn't seen many cats in her life, save for the odd one or two that wandered into Herstial for a mouse, or a rat. She was certain though, that none had purred this loudly. Confusion clouded her mind. This was new, this interruption. "Where did you come from little one?" she asked softly. "This is no place for a cat to be lurking about. No place for anyone really"
The little sloth was thankful to feel her still for at least a moment, though she still shivered. Hoping she would be still for at least a few minutes he pulled himself into the branches outside the hospital, after pulling up clumps of moss. He intended to soak them in cold water, and bring them back to her.
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Table © Camy
