Sitting in the gardens was a welcome break from the cold sterility of the infirmary or the quiet boredom of her bedroom. Left to her own devices in quiet contemplation was disheartening and only built upon her stress, but here surrounded by autumn leaves and the garden's foliage Zee felt connected to the world. She watched as bugs crawled across flower pedals and through the dirt, feeling the sun on her head and the earth beneath her paws. The herb growth also reminded her of the many experienced or budding healers that had been born from her. Would her death encourage them to strive higher, or kill their love of the profession? Only time would tell. "Speech"

There was always something new to look at or explore in the castle, which left him with very little time to worry about his mama being sick. However, as soon as the blond youngster caught her scent, he remembered all at once that she existed, and he wanted to see her. Ab abrupt change of his thunderous flight path down the halls left him stumbling down towards the yawning stone entrance to the outside world, and the gardens beyond. He could see her diminutive form sitting near the flower beds, where the start of the spring season was bringing with it a riotous bloom. The boy slowed as he approached, though his steps were no quieter. Those paws of his were still too big to have complete control over, and he didn't mind being noisy. "Mama," he said cheerily, flopping down beside her and leaning into her flank.

"Are you watching the butterflies?" he asked, tipping his little chin up to stare balefully up at her with pale mercury eyes. As the autumn rolled around up north, telltale nubs were beginning to poke up through the downy fluff of his forehead. They weren't big enough that he was really feeling their emergence, and remained blissfully unaware that he took after both of his parents with his oversized teeth and budding horns. All he was aware of was that it was almost always nice outside here, and right now he had his mama all to himself!

"Stratum Fatalis"