[attn: kai, Samael, CourtCat, Umbralwind] seeking a Spiral cub

[errin]

It's too much at once, she knows it's too much at once, but they need answers even if Fern doesn't understand those answers. And, Phoebe believes, one final push and they'll be away from her sooner. Her eyes drop to the ground, to the place where the clay flower hit the earth. It was not so strongly made that it could withstand the clutching fist of an agitated young woman. Pieces have broken off, bits of petal, the white curve of a small leaf. Then Phoebe looks back up to the Ahroun growing fur and the first edge of sharp claws. She does not answer the shift with one of her own, but remains in Homid between Fern and her packmates.

Enough, they hear through their minds. We have gotten enough to start.

"Thank you, Fern. And I'm sorry that we've upset you. Don't go, we'll leave." She takes a step backward. Glancing down at where Sophia lays on her stomach, she lifts her chin, up and back, a wordless command to rise. She does not move to pick up the thrown flower.

"If you like," she says, her expression one of sudden inspiration. She motions toward the little white clay piece. "I can show you how to make it into something else later, something that you'd like. Ceramics can almost always be remade into something else." She does not expect nor wait for a reply from Fern, but continues herding her sisters back and away. "If you're interested, let one of the others know. They know where to find me. Thank you again."

[Samael]

She's stepping back even before Phoebe says it. It's not out of fear or wariness; it's simply that, like her alpha, she knows as the questions pile on Fern that they were too much and the last thing that the Ahround in a room full of strange Theurges needs is less space. She makes note of everything Fern says and her mind is spinning, collating, matching puzzle pieces of information against each other to see what pieces fit together and which ones don't. Through it all though, she hears Phoebe and her response can easily be heard about her own mental chatter.

Right there with you. Because where else would Keisha be then with her alpha? Nowhere.

Her expression is apologetic when she looks at Fern, and it's nothing less than sincere. She didn't want to upset the girl and she knew the questions might, especially when they had as many as they did. But they had to be asked. Based on what they've learned, they can start to proceed.

"Goodbye, Fern. I'd like to come see you again. Not to talk about this, but just...to talk. I'd like to get to know you, but only if you're okay with that."

[errin]

[i think unless (or until!) there is a post for Sophia, that we are pretty good for a wrap. if anything Pheeb's out, so thanks doing this, Kai!]

[Umbralwind]

[I'll likely throw something up tonight! I'll just re-edit this post when i do!]

[kai]

The last thing the Desert Oracles hear from Fern is a frustrated, strained little whine that does not sound like it belongs in the throat of a furless, two-legged creature. She looks at Phoebe as the Alpha apologizes, tells her to stay, they'll go. She tells her that the flower can be remade.

Fern just looks at her, no longer whining though still looking vaguely miserable. She just nods, though it's hard to tell if this is in answer or merely understanding. She keeps curling away, but as the three Theurges depart, the cub scoots forward in the dirt to pluck the marred gift from the ground. She takes it back, wherever she goes, wherever they're keeping her,

and looks at it for a long time.