Heading south from Kamui Delta, it would not take but a day for Celeste and her company to reach Lover's Mangrove. Not that she knew it was called that, but they were there anyway. Thick tangled trees spread out around them as the luminescent waters gave off an eerie glow. Fungi and crystals alike popped up from every crevice that it could. Dancing around her speckled horns, fireflies bobbed in the air, teasing her with a childlike beckoning. She wasn't sure where exactly they were going, but no matter where they did, the sickness was sure to follow. Thankfully, up to this point, only her companion, a large Maine Coon, had been affected by the sickness. His long fur speckled with crystals made him occasionally cry out in pain. Celeste would tsk at him every so often and coo when tears shed from his oozing eyes. She wasn't anything close to being a healer so trying to fix whatever succumbed to him was out of her league. Hoping that eventually, it would all go away, she tried at least to make him comfortable with gentle words. "We can rest here for now," the young girl says softly as her ivory paws pick through a particularly muddy spot to find a dry piece of land. Pausing to look back as the cat curled around her legs, she tossed a look over to Seven. The doting older boy was quiet and she liked that about him. "You think we'll be able to find anything safe to eat?" She asks as she swats away a firefly that had buzzed too close to her nose. Scrunching her brow as she turned aquamarine eyes toward the shallow depths, she thought maybe she'd seen a fish or two swim by. With everything alit in a neon glow, it was hard to tell what was what anymore. Sighing, Celeste sat at the edge of a pond and watched the surface shimmer before her. "Maybe we can try catching another fish or some of this fungi might be safe," Celeste murmurs to herself as she feels the draw of the mushrooms forcing her attention to stare at them.

Speak up, Speak up

The world was oblivious to him. Seven had a purpose again, he was filled with life and joy. The boy followed close behind the master eager to please. Though the hinter was more than wanting to prove his worth. Hes been raised and trained as a hunting slave. Something that boiled in his blood. The lovers mangrove was an area ravaged by the strange plants. When he looked at the mushrooms or crystals too long he got a headache. This led him to stare at his paws as he walked only occasionally looking up to make sure he was listening and following his master. Celeste was young but age was not a concept he understood. Seven was beneath everyone hed been bossed around by pups and still done a good job. Often he had found himself pup sitting on occasion. That was back when he had masters who were part of a pack. This time it was a loner it seemed, she didnt carry a scent and as soon as she said safe to eat he sprang into action.

Seven disappeared hed survived days on his own in this mess. It didnt take long for him to find a healthy rabbit, knowing what scents to avoid. It was trying to eat a glowing green mushrooms. Intercepting the creature he swiftly brought the kill back to Celeste. Dropping the carcass as her feet as he sat patiently waiting to see if she were to be pleased or not. Somehow he felt a rush with this sort of thing. He stared at her paws his ears pinned to the back of his head as he fell into his old habits. Body compact, tail tucked, head lowered. Only listen, be obedient, the lessons ran through his mind. Hopefully the rabbit would suffice as a first time offering to the girl.

MADE BY MINNIE of BTN

Seven had disappeared just as quickly as she had said the word eat. Now, this was something she could get used to. Having someone at her beck and call whenever she needed something. Never having to hunt for herself again. Pleased with his obedience as he disappeared into the shadows, Celeste's attention was drawn toward the illuminated mushrooms growing around the puddles near her. Leaning her nose down so that she could sniff closer at the thing, she made a slightly disgusted face as a plume of spores released from the top of it. Whipping her head up to sneeze loudly, the small girl frowned. What even were these things? She'd never seen mushrooms like that in her life before. Staring at the cluster intensely, her concentration was broken before she could reach out to touch it with a paw. Laying on the ground before her was a dead rabbit and Seven curled up. Looking at him curiously, she smiled and reached out a paw to pat him on the cheek. "Good boy," she said sweetly as she moved to quickly rip some of the skin off the poor animal and take a few bites. It didn't taste as good as rabbit usually did, but she was glad for the bite. Ripping a small piece off for her companion, she then motioned for Seven to have the rest. "Eat, you'll need strength," Celeste almost commanded, but her voice still held a tender note. Not that it was nearly enough to fill both of them, but it would do for now. "I kind of want to see what this mushroom does if I pull it up," she says thoughtfully as her attention turned back to the cluster of fungus.