FSE

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Inside the small mouse burrow, laid a small mouse. That would be reasonable enough, except she looked neither safe nor secure (the typical feeling a rodent would have in their burrow). No, she instead looked nervous; shaking and sitting awkwardly on her tail-end.

Her eyes strained with disbelief, mouth agape, ears fallen low. She had just discovered something most unpleasant, the face of a serpent gazing back at her. At least, that's what she had thought it was at first glance. The face wasn't quite complete, however. The eyes weren't there, and. . . it seemed devoid of life.

Was it dead? No, it appeared too unnatural to have ever been alive. Transparent. . . withering, and broken.

She continued to peer forward, heart thumping from the initial shock. An ear soon turned, and she swung her head to the den's entrance; just as another entered.

The entering plump white doe, clean and shiny as always, dropped into the den with a look of concern on her face; though still smiling. "T'salright, t'salright," she cooed, replacing the door and walking over. "You're safe. . . " she told her, "S'just a skin. . . s'not even alive. . . . .it can't hurt you!" She walked straight over, put her arms around the doe, and held her tight.

The albino, by the name of Aneria, swallowed long; still very much uncertain despite the assurance. The mouse was relatively sheltered in her colony, and had never seen nor heard such a thing as snake skin. Her head turned to look back, trying to reason the claim. It really did look like some sort of 'shell', something a snake might have once been inside, but was no longer. She took a deep sigh, before flinching sharp, suddenly feeling the other mouse's grasp. . . "the witch's" grasp.

She turned her head back a bit frantically. It was only recently that the she concluded this other mouse to be a witch, and she was very uncertain of her intentions. Was she a good witch, or a bad witch?

Aneira shook a bit in the hold, her dirt covered muzzle staring down to face her 'captor'. She considered pushing away, but was unsure that was wise. She saw this mouse put some sort of hex on a rat, which fell to the ground half-dead. That was the only thing keeping her from getting too upset. She had been saved from a pack of rats that would have carried her back to the rat nest she escaped from. She sighed, and did her best to relax; her eyes shutting for a time. Finally, her nerves settled long enough for her curiosity to eek out.

"W-why. . . why do you. . . h-have that?"

The shorter mouse, Lichthia, continued to hold the taller doe tight. "I use it t'scare folk," she admitted with a smile. "Didn't mean t'scare you though!" she added quickly, nuzzling the other mouse's shoulder.

"I used t'leave it outside on the hill nearby. I figured any foxes or rats or such who came by and saw it would keep away. . . . and m'burrow would remain undiscovered."

The tall albino blinked, still staring back at the witch. It was strange to her. All the witches she ever heard of from her colony, were frail old crones; scary and decrepit. This mouse, instead, had soft pretty white fur, was full of energy, and. . . fat. She shook her head, trying to focus on the words.

"O-oh. . ." Aneira answerd, her voice still a bit shaken. It made sense to her that a witch would scare things off. Though it didn't seem like she had much problem dealing with predators using spells, witches still typically liked to be left alone. Well, that would make more sense. . . if the witch hadn't told her she had 'lots of scary friends'. Maybe her power was more limited than it seemed? She was scaring predators away for her safety? Given how she was hugging and nuzzling her, she didn't seem to mind company. She actually seemed really happy to have her here.

Aneira sighed, looking her back over, beginning to relax. It was hard to think of this witch as evil. She was perky and well-kept, seemed really friendly, and even saved her from the rats. Why would Lichthia save her if she was bad? There didn't seem to be a reason, other than just to be nice.

"Th-thank you. . . for saving me." She had thanked her already, but it was less direct and she wasn't sure what to say otherwise.

Lichthia's embrace tightened just slightly at the words. She held her a bit longer before letting go. When she released, she pulled her robes over her head. She only bothered with them when there were preds about or she was cold, and she didn't like to deal with them in the privacy of her burrow. In all the excitement that morning, she hadn't eaten anything and she was hungry, and so she reached over past the snake skin to pick up some berries and nuts, placing them between her and the albino in case she was still hungry. Taking a nut, she cracked it noisily. "So Aniera," she said softly, almost shyly, "Y'wanna know a little bit about me?"

Aneira eased back when Lichthia pulled away, and had watched quietly as she gathered and laid out food. She looked up to her then, an ear twitching as she raised herself. Like all doe mice in a new environment, there was a curiosity to her: That's what led her to find the snake skin after all.

"Ok. . ." she answered soft, eyes looking off a little shyly. "I've never met a witch before. . ."

The shorter doe chuckled as she chewed at her nut, swallowing and staring ahead, as though thinking. "Last fall. . . . " she said softly, still staring ahead, "I was just an ordinary doe. . . " She glanced over at the albino and smiled. ". . .very much like you." There was still that gash she needed to tend to. . . . She'd get to it, but this seemed important just now. "I was a first year. I lived in a colony, several days travel from here, doubt y'ever heard of it." She resumed staring ahead wistfully. "I was lookin forward to findin a mate, raisin kits in the spring." She looked forward and smiled. "I wanted to have a lotta kits!" she announced and sighed, stretching her shoulders back and staring ahead. "There were three bucks I had on my eye on. . . ." she muttered. With a mischievous smile she added, "I was a terrible flirt!" She chuckled. Slowly shaking her head, she said, "There was nothin whatsoever I wanted out of life, 'xept to raise a family, live out m'life in that burrow. Watch 'em grow as I grew old." She took another large bite from her nut and chewed it thoughtfully.

The albino's soft red eyes were turned back, and she slowly tilted her head. The witch used to be normal? And. . . like her? Aneira pursed her lips in thought. She never considered a witch might not be born a witch, that instead, they could become one. But how? She blinked, that fuzzy white muzzle leaning in.

As Lichthia went on, she figeted slightly, but was nonetheless drawn in. It was just a little unnerving. This witch, really had been just like her. She liked flirting, at least a little, and was really looking forward to becoming a mother. The albino had thought about it often, though, never as much as when the rats had taken her. Even worse than being starved and beaten, treated like so much meat, was the paining thought that she'd never get to find her mate, she'd never get to raise her family: It was all going to be taken from her. Her hopes, her dreams. . . they had all been shattered, there was nothing else. Even at the first day of her capture, the first second. . . she was already dead. What she saw and experienced after, only brought things past death to hell.

Aneira grimaced.. She put aside those scars, that gash, to hear the witch's tale and how she came to be.

"I. . . I look forward to all that too." The albino swallowed, and settled herself, "So. . . then what happened? . . ."

As the albino spoke, the mouse smiled just slightly. It pleased her the albino was beginning to get a little confidence. She finished chewing her nut and swallowed. "Winter happened," she answered.

"Was a hard winter. A sickness took our colony, and the sickness took me. For days I just lay sweatin, even though it was cold in the burrow. Finally I did get better, only. . ." The mouse hesitated. Why did this still make her feel sad? She reminded herself if she hadn't gotten sick, she'd never have met Jaabir. Even given the choice now, she wouldn't go back. And yet, remembering still made her feel sad. "Only I was scarred inside." She peeled back a bit of the shell, and prepared another bite. "I am barren," she said softly. "I can't have no kits."

Aneira soon frowned. 'Barren', the word made her cringe. The mouse considered what that must have been like, to suddenly have your hope and dreams ripped from you. Actually; she knew exactly what that felt like, she had just endured it! Only. . . she could have that back now. She still had her dreams and goals. There was still a scar, one that hadn't even begun to surface, but it didn't take away her children. She wasn't sure which was worse. "I . .thought I wasn't going to have kits either. . . " She whispered, sympathizing, her eyes growing a little heavy at both Lichthia's misfortune's and her own. "I'm sorry. . ."

Lichthia looked up at that, head tilted, both surprised and touched. "T'salright," she answered softly, smiling, looking into her eyes. "It was very hard for a long while, but I've found my own way since then." She dropped her paw and reach over for a fresh nut. "And I am gonna make sure y'find y'way home," she said, glancing up at her. "I am gonna make sure, that you can have the life that I cannot."

Those red eyes shone back, the albino beginning to see the witch in a new light. She nodded very slowly, reaching for a berry now. An ear turned at the words, and she'd raise her muzzle. There was a pause, the younger doe almost looking to cry. She shut her eyes, easing herself back. "Thank you. . ." she'd murmur, her voice more than a little strained. There was a long sigh, her buck-teeth starting to nibble at the fruit. "Your. . . own way?" she questioned, meeting Lichthia's eyes once more.

"Is that how. . . you became a witch?"

Chewing at a nut, Lichthia nodded her head, not denying the question. "T's how it started," she answered after she swallowed. "S'a lot more to it than that. More'n I could tell you in one sittin. Even then, not sure I could really explain." She took a breath, putting down the nut for the moment. "Winter was hard, as I'm sure y'remember, Spring wasn't much better. Food was scarce, and it was declared everyone had t'pull their own weight. Which me bein a barren doe, they decided I couldn't." She shrugged. "I was outcast."

Aneira gave another frown, both eyes getting wider. . . her heart sinking. The albino may have been drug away by some rats, beaten, and seen things no doe ever should. . . but her family still wanted her. They probably already mourned for her and the others. "That's. . ." Her head shook, the words trailing. She didn't remember anything like that happening after the winter she faced (likely the same the same winter Lichthia spoke of), but she was young. . . and didn't remember much. There still seemed to be plenty of food. And even if there wasn't, could her colony have done the same? "That's terrible. . ." she commented, feeling uneasy. Not being able to have children or live a normal life, that alone she knew would be (and had been) enough to make her feel dead inside. But to be rejected and turned away by her own, how had she done it?

Her eyes came down, muzzle parting. That was it wasn't it? That's what forced her. . . to become a witch. Maybe that was the only way she could survive? It still didn't explain 'how', but it at least explained 'why'.

The albino gathered herself, and continued to eat. "There wasn't anything you could do? . . . They wouldn't let you help find food. . . or look after the kits?" She nodded slowly, "T-that's what did. . . I helped. . . in the nursery." She stiffen at that thought, her mouth going a little dry, seeming to channel a bad memory. "T-that's where. . . I was. . . when . . ." That one scene, it was probably worse than what she had seen the rat's colony itself. . . and she had forced it from her mind. But not now, not anymore. It all rushed back to her: Watching children fall silent as their necks were taken hold by jaws, the screams and tears of her friends as she and others were drug away. . . everything that had been suppressed. Her head lowered, body trembling.

Lichthia quickly put her arms around around the other doe to hold her. Not for the first time, she wished she hadn't been quite so merciful to those rats who'd been hunting her. "M'sorry," she whispered, though what she was sorry for, she wasn't certain. "That's when they took you then?"

The albino had leaned into the embrace, this time welcoming the comfort. Her eyes were shut, and tears stained lightly along her fur. The doe would just be silent for a time, still shaken. Finally she raised her lids, eyes flushed. "Yes. . ." She choke up then, head turned down. "Me and. . . two males. . . and. . . and. . ." Her face distorted as she sobbed. "the nestlings. . ." Aneira pressed closer. "I. . . I was there. . ." Her head raised, eyes trembling "for four days. . ."

"Four days?" That was longer than Jaabir had kept her when he'd first caught her. It was an odd comparison that leapt into her mind for no seeming reason. Of course her three days with jaabir had been blissful happiness for her, while the alibino had been in hell. She tightened her embrace. "I had no idea. . ." she said softly. "Back. . . . back in m'old colony, we had raids, but I never knew what they did with the mice they took. You are the first I've ever known t'come back from one."

The albino sniffed. "I t-think. . . it might have been less. . . or longer." Time never seemed to pass in that blood-stained tomb; and at the same time, every second felt like an eternity. The only indication was how many times see saw bodies dragged into the back. Aneira swallowed and calmed lightly, her head looked off as she rested against the other doe. "They were going to kill me that night. . ." she began to explain. "They took me back. . . and I struggled, and they slapped me. Then. . ." she gritted her teeth, "an ugly old rat. . . she put paws on me. . . and she held my neck. She started to cut the rope they had on me, and. . ." Her head turned back, "Another came. . . and told her to stop. There was something else they caught that day. A bird. They wanted to kill it instead, so they put me back." Aneira's eyes turned up, "They forgot to tie new ropes. . ."

"A bird?" Lichthia listened with ears spread wide. It was horrifying but fascinating to hear, all at the same time; until now, she never suspected what went on in the rats' lair. "Well I sure am glad they were so careless. . ." she replied softly. "I take it y'bided y'time til y'found a chance t'run?"

Aneira nodded. "They had. . . just caught the bird, a few hours before. It was big. Its wings were broken, but it had been giving them trouble. When they reached for it, it pecked them. They were biting it . . and all carried it over. All the guards, and everyone." Her ears fell, the doe looking guilty, "that's when I left. . . I. . ." She sighed, her eyes no longer meeting Lichthia's, "there were others. . . but. . ." The albino started to cry again, "I just ran. . . I didn't stop. I. . went past. . . hundreds of rats. . . most didn't notice when I made it outside. Then I heard a guard. . . and some others, shouting and following me. I r-ran for awhile, and got my leg caught on a root. . ."

Slowly, those red glassy eyes once again come to focus on Lichthia. "T-that's when. . . I saw you. . ."

Licthia stroked the mouse's head gently. "Y'did right, t'run," she said softly. "Y'family back at home s'gonna be real happy to see you again." She was selfless, wasn't she. She felt guilty for those she left behind. Licthia wasn't certain what Jaabir meant by that term, but this doe surely embodied it. He would like her. It was a pity she could only be terrified of him.

The albino just laid there. To repeat all that, to remind herself it was all real. . . it drained her. All the horrors; being laid next to the dead, hearing others killed in the back. . . leaving so many behind to go through what she had. . . those memories would never leave her. "It didn't feel right. . ." she finally said, her voice frail. "I wanted to help them. . . but I. . . I couldn't." It was a miracle she survived, but she still felt empty. . . so much taken from her that she'd never get back. It felt like she lost her innocence.

The doe sighed and shook her head, "When I saw you. . ." she'd continue. "I thought you were an angel. . . or a goddess" Aneira drooped her ears, uncertain what to say anymore. Regardless, she added, "I. . . didn't think you'd be. . . a witch." She swallowed, "but I'm glad you saved me."

Licthia chuckled softly, still holding the doe tight. "Well maybe an angel sent me," she answered soflty. "After all, I wasn't expectin t'see you. Just out on m'way home, enjoyin the night air. Didn't expect t'see any mice or rats out so late." Lichthia sighed. "I'll tell yt'truthfully, I dunno if angels really do work in this realm or not. But if they did, I imagine they wouldn't do it directly. They might give us hints, do small things." She shook her head slightly. "Otherwise, if they appeared directly, they'd be so strong, they'd overwhelm us. There'd be no room for us."

Aneira's soft eyes blinked. An angel sending a witch? It sounded strange, but maybe. . . that's what happened. She gave a slow nod to the words, her face briefly losing its sorrow, exchanging it for curiosity. "I. . . I guess so. . ." she admitted. The way Lichthia spoke, though uncertain, it still felt like she had a higher understanding. That. . . made sense, a witch wouldn't know all there is to the world, but they'd do more and know more than others. At least, from what the albino knew so far, this witch didn't like being called a demon, and she didn't seem to find any contempt with angels. From that alone, it seemed unlikely that she'd be evil. Still, it seemed like good a time as any to make sure.

"Lichthia. . ." she began, her voice just a little softer, those red eyes glancing to the snake skin. . . and that strange bag she saw from before. "Are you a good witch? . . ." She looked back. "You don't hurt other mice? . . ."

Lichthia raised her head, as though carefully considering the question. Slowly she shook it. "I don't hurt anyone. . ." she answered softly, ". . . lest they try to hurt me." She thought about that. . .there had been some close calls, like the the deer who had been stuck in a tree, the owl she tempted . . . but no, she reckoned she could say that honestly. Looking down at the albino, she added, ". . . or if they try to hurt someone in my company, who's under my protection."

Aneira gently nodded to the witch's reply, just a little unsure at the hesitation. Still, the answer gave relief just the same. "Alright. . ." she murmured, satisfied. Of course, if Lichthia was dishonest, it wouldn't matter what she said. . . but the albino didn't feel that. It sounded true.

"T'be honest Aneira, you are the first mouse I have seen, since I realized m'kin would not have me back, and no other colony would take me." She took Aneira's paw and raise it to her own neck. "Y'feel that?" she asked.

The albino doe had allowed her paw to be lifted, and as it moved it came against the clean soft fur of the witch. Only. . . her little paw-fingers would slide along a 'bump', something raised against the skin, hidden by the fur. "Y-yeah. . ." she'd answer, "I do. . ." Her head tilted once more, "What is it?"

Lichthia nodded slightly. "I didn't just leave when I was outcast. I stuck around close t'my colony. Begged more than once to be let back in." She gave a shrug. "Finally, a guard pinned me down, gave me a good bite t'make it clear I wasn't welcome." She sighed. "I do believe you are the first mouse I've seen since him."

Aneira's muzzle parted. Even after the hell she recalled, she still felt sympathy for this other doe, the one who had saved her. "How could. . ." She was lost for words. She had been kicked and clawed at by the rats, but rats are monsters. It didn't seem possible for someone to be treated like that, by their own kind, by their own family. She sighed. Even though Lichthia was a witch, she was still nice. . . she had still saved her, she. . . didn't deserve what had happened.

Slowly, the albino lifted her head. "M-maybe. . . maybe. . . ." She'd sigh. "If you promised not to hurt anyone, or let them see you use. . . magic; you could go back with me. They'd be thankful. And. . . the colony needs more. . . after. . . what keeps happening. They wouldn't send you away." She began to smile, easing herself back. "You could help protect us. . ."

Lichthia sighed deeply at that, holding the albino tight. "You have no idea how sweet those words are to my ears," She gave the albino another squeeze. "But no, I cannot go back. I cannot be an ordinary doe no more. Y'kin might let me in, but they'd still be scared of me, they wouldn't know what t'make of me." She looked into the albino's eyes. "I've gone too far, I've seen too much, I know too much t'ever return." She glanced downwards. "And I'll be honest, after what I've seen, I couldn't be satisfied with an ordinary life no more." Her eyelids lowered, and in a whisper added, "But you have no idea how sweet your words are to me."

Aneira's smile would grow just a little wider as the witch answered. She would be returning the doe's kindness and, from what she had seen. . . her colony wouldn't have to worry about rats anymore. That notion was turned aside, however, as Lichthia continued. She wanted to argue, but felt she could not. She didn't doubt that a witch would have seen things beyond any normal realm, things far greater than the life of a colony doe. The colony provided safety of course, yet. . . it didn't seem like this witch needed safety. She fought predators, had owl and rat servants, and even wandered freely through the night. No wonder going back wouldn't appeal to her.

"You're welcome. . . Lichthia. And. . . I understand." She began to ease herself back, lightly breaking free of Lichthia's embrace. Sitting across, she studied the witch for a time. Her eyes lifted and head lowered, appearing curious, and if not a little shy. "Do you mind if. . . I ask you questions?"

"Not at all. . .," Lichthia answered, releasing the doe finally, and reaching down now for some berries, ". . . if you don't mind me given answers," she added with an almost mischievous smile. "I'll do m'best t'explain, but some things are hard t'understand, less y've lived through 'em." She gave a slight shrug. "And some of the answers I give, y'might not care for."

Aneria nodded, herself reaching for a walnut. There was a short pause, the doe's head tilting. 'don't mind me giving answers?' What could she mean by that, she wondered. The teasing manner wasn't at all something she was used to in the colony. At the same time, such a reply felt expected from a witch; slightly mocking words that held greater meaning. It almost reminded her of how the rat spoke, though he seemed more reserved and certainly seemed too serious to joke; not that a teasing rat would have been welcomed.

" A-alright. . ." Aneira answered softly, no longer quite as confident.

The albino wanted to learn more about the witch, but she wasn't sure where to begin. There was just so much on her mind. Finally she eased herself forward. "The witches my colony told stories of. They were. . . different. They were all really old. Most were mean. . . but some were good." The doe took a moment to crack the nut she held, and took a smile bite. "Most casted spells. . ." she continued. "A few just made potions." Here she turned her head to the bag of supplies she saw Lichthia lay out before. And slowly she looked back. "There were some that could make wolves fall over dead. I think. . . there was one that could control others, make them do whatever what they wanted. And. . . a few that were healers." She lifted her head in admiration, her eyes looking to shine. "Some could even fly. . ." Aneira took a new bite, considering. "Are those all things. . . you can do?"

Lichthia was listening attentively, chewing on her berries as the albino spoke. At the final question, she didn't answer right away, but pulled her knees up close, wrapping her arms around them, and stared forward as though deep in thought. "Well m'not old," she said finally, a smile on her face, ". . . but fates willin, I hope t'be old some day!" Her smile widened. "Y'know I imagine those other witches were outcasts like me. Knowin what I know now, I can understand why they'd be mean. N'I feel pity for 'em rather than fear." She sighed then, arms still wrapped about her legs.

The albino had edged closer. Being in a colony, she had been sheltered most of her life. The only time she even saw much outside the dirt walls, was during migration to the new colony, and. . . when she was taken up by the rats. Feeling less intimidated by the witch, her words and very existence brought interest. For the moment she could eat calmly, and put her memories aside. . . and all the torture and sorrows she endured.

In hearing the witch hoped to grow old, Aneira smiled lightly. She quickly pursed her lips, however, thinking over that statement. . . and coming to a realization. This mouse wasn't immortal. She was certainly powerful, stronger than a mouse should be capable. . . but she'd face death just the same as any other. Aneira gave a small nod as the witch continued, looking to agree or otherwise not disagreeing. . . finishing off the nut she held.

"I'm not sure what a spell is, so can't tell you if I cast 'em or not. Though I'd wager what seemed perfectly natural t'me might appear like a spell t'someone who didn't understand." She looked over at the bag and pull out a bottle of odd looking liquid. "I don't make potions m'self, but I know a civilized furre who'll give 'em to me. And I do use 'em t'help heal people, so I guess I am a healer." She smiled. "I can only help y'body heal itslef though. I can't just snap m'fingers and make y'better. I really wish I could just take care of that ankle of yours and bring y'home right away."

Aneira was licking at her paws, running them through her whiskers. . . cleaning as she listened. Something so simple, to groom, it was a luxury to be cherished, having been denied so long. She paused, head tilting some. So. . . the witch got her potions from another witch? That made sense. Normal mice were good at certain things and not as good at others. . . why shouldn't the same be true for witches?

Looking to her leg, she reflected over Lichthia's words and frowned. The muscles still looked to be puffy, swollen. It would be nice if the witch could make it heal faster, but. . . it was enough that she could heal at all.

"That's. . . fine. I can wait." There would be a little sigh, and small nod. "Oh. . . and spells are like words, chants. . . sometimes it could just be moving your paws. That's how the witches in the stories I heard, would do magic. . . heal or hurt things." She considered for a moment. "I guess that isn't true. . . they. just . . 'didn't understand'?" Maybe a witch's power didn't work like that? The doe nodded, already believing that to be the case. She'd have to ask more about that, but for now, her curiosity lied elsewhere. "What about. . . the others things? Stopping wolves. . . " Her ears perked, ". . . and flying?"

Placing her chin between her knees, Lichthia smiled. "Wolfs' a lot bigger than a rat. . . don't think I could make one jus' keel over, and I'm not about to put myself in front of one just t'find out for sure!" She laughed at that, then took a breath. "I can't fly on m'own, but I have persuaded a bird t'carry me." Her gaze softened. "S'nothing like lookin down from on high, seein the trees pass by below you." She laughed again, but then her gaze grew serious.

Aneira was smiling again, giving a light laugh along with the witchs'. Lichthia having at least some caution, once again affirmed that she *could* be hurt. At least, if she wasn't careful. She certainly didn't lack any confidence when it came to rats though, that was impressive enough to the doe. And further still, the witch didn't know for sure if she couldn't kill a wolf like that. . . she actually had to think about it. Aneira blinked at the mention of flying. At first, there was just a little conflict in the albino. One part of her, was doubtful Lichthia could fly, and the other, was wanted to think it were true. The answer. . . took both sides in a way, and as such, she didn't appear disappointed: This mouse actually got to fly! "Wow. . ." she muttered, almost a little envious as she described what it was like.

"But all these things are superficial" Lichthia continued. "They are the outward signs of power, but not the source." She sighed. "Folk focus on that, cause that's all they can see, that's all they can understand. They're fascinated by tricks, and they miss the true wonder, which comes from seein deeper into the nature of things. Deeper than most folk wanna look. For example. . . there is power in seein through fear."

Lichthia turned her head to look the albino in the eye, smiling. "I can give you a demonstration if y'like."

The young doe blinked her soft red eyes. She clearly didn't understand, as the witch pointed out. What did she mean by 'the source' and the 'deeper nature of things'? And. . .

"Seeing through. . . fear?" she questioned, her voice softening. Aneira looked off some at the offer, uncertain. Her curiosity would win out, however

"A-alright. . . show me. . ."

Licthia bore a kindly smile, and took one of the albino's paws in her own. "This is a little charm to help y'sleep easier at night. If it works the way I hope it'll give you relief from any nightmares, least for a little while." She turned her head to look at the snake skin that even then was staring with empty eye sockets at the pair. "Touch it. . . " she instructed the albino.

Aneira raised her eyes. A spell. . . a 'charm' to sleep better? The doe had nightmares, horrible visions that plagued her mind, every night in the rat's nest. The memories and thoughts were still working their way in even while she was awake.

Aneira had appeared anxious, and more than willing. At least until Lichthia turned and directed her. She swallowed then, ears drooping. There was even a tiny confused, *squeak?* She pulled her head back in hesitation, gaze returning to the witch. "Do I. . . have to?" Her voice sounded strained, before she cleared her throat. "For. . . this to work I mean?" Maybe the witch could try some chants instead, she considered.

The witch nodded her head, but she put a paw on the taller mouse's shoulder as well, and she spoke gently. "Take y'time," she told her, "and d'y'best t'relax." She looked into the eyeless eyes of the thing herself, her gaze steady, not trace of fear. "It can't hurt you, s'nothing but dead skin."

Aneira sighed. She wasn't sure how this would help, and internally wished Lichthia just spoke words like those other witches she heard about. Still, the doe turned her whiskery nose to the snake-skin and began to rise to her feet. She moved a few tiny steps forward, eyes lifting up to the large beast. Even knowing it was just skin, not alive. . . the 'gaze' still sent a chill down her spine. It was more than just the 'thing' being scary, it was instinctual. The scent and appearance, it stirred something in her. 'Get away! This isn't safe!', that's what pricked at her mind, and it made it hard to continue forward.

Seeing the albino's distress, Lichthia placed her paw on the back of her wrist. She held it there and with a gentle push, encouraged, but did not force her to stretch forward.

The albino twitched lightly at the feel of the paw, having had her focus ahead. Her legs feeling much like stone, the push did help get her going once more. Each step was still an effort, however, and it didn't help that she had a limp. As she neared, her breathing got a little shorter. Her heartbeat quickened. Muscles. . . tightened. It felt like a 'final warning', her mind giving her every motivation to turn and run, to scurry away as fast as her paws could carry. She turned her eyes down, ignoring that inner-voice, and inching close. Though she was just before its snout, the doe didn''t meet its eyes, or rather, didn't look to where the eyes should be. Her head even turned away, avoiding any sight of the soulless creature before her. She reached up a shaky paw-finger then, holding it in the air. . . before quickly tapping the nose and pulling away.

Aneira nearly stumble, forcing herself back a few steps, shaking. Did it come to life? Was it eating her? Her nose twitched and she leaned forward. No, it was still just laying there, same as before. The doe blinked, looking over the skin and her own body. She turned her eyes behind to Lichthia, tilting her head as though she expected something to happen. "D-did it work?" she questioned, uncertainty in her voice.

The witch was smiling wide. She stroked the doe's back gently. "S'a good start," she told her, enthusiastically. "Now, putcha paw on it, n'just hold it there," she encouraged her. "I wan'cha to understand, deep inside y'self, there's nothing t'fear there."

The tall albino seemed to frown at those words. She looked back into life-less gaze, once again edging closer. It took less effort this time, no shakes. . . though the mouse was still hesitate. Her arm lifted, and with a long sigh, she reached forward and held her bright pink fuzzy paw against the crumbly dry brown nose of the snake-skin. Her eyes slowly came up, staring, whiskers twitching. It was a strange feeling in her, to be so close to 'danger', and yet. . . not expecting to be harmed. She blinked, mulling that over. She. . . really wasn't going to be harmed. If it was alive, it would have killed her already, probably when she first saw it. There. . . really wasn't anything to worry about.

Her body relaxed, ears and expression no longer so low. The albino began to regard the mass of skin in a new perspective. Her eyes scanned over, nose sniffing, Aneira inspecting as only a curious mouse doe could.

"S'good! S'good! Go ahead and explore! I can see y'want to!" Licthia's voice contained an element of excitement as she saw and felt the change in Aneira. "Don't worry if it crumbles or breaks, it's old," she'd assure. "See? S'nothin t'be scared of, s'just dead skin." The witch spoke in a hushed voice, almost chanting. "S'like a dead branch y'find near y'den. . . . .. . . or an old stone covered in moss. . . .. or a dry leaf fallen from a tree. . . . . It can't hurt you. . . .and the thing t'understand is it was never this skin that scared you. . . .what scared you wasn't the skin, but what it reminded you of. . . .memories. . . .warnings. . . ..nightmares. .. things in y'mind. . . . .and the real lesson is, those things in your head can't hurt you any more than that skin can. . .."

Those long whiskers continued to twitch, the doe slowly bringing her nose near. It was such a strange feeling, the touch of those scales. . . the way it cracked and broke so easily at the lightest touch. Aneira never actually seen a snake up close. There were plenty of stories from the bucks, and drawings edged in the dirt for illustration, but those weren't the same. As she recognized the skin to be harmless, it became a way to explore and learn safely. There was still that little touch of worry in her, a fear and concern buried deep within. Her inner-voice and instincts made her want to be afraid, but the skin couldn't actually harm her. As the witch said, it was just like a leaf. Well. . . just like a leaf with an unsettling scent and appearance. Understanding that helped to calm her. . . helped to ignore the fear, and helped to push past it.

The albino's ears eventually turned, her muzzle and eyes following suite. The witch's final words, trickled in and gave her give pause. Is that was this was for? To. . . ignore the worry and fear she felt? She sighed. It was underwhelming somehow. Though. . . in consideration, the witch was right. Wasn't she? The rats couldn't hurt her, not anymore. . . not here. She saw things a doe should never see, but they were in the past now. Aneira smiled lightly, raising her muzzle. "I. . . think I understand. Thanks. . ." she spoke, her words soft.

She gave a final look over the snake skin, before easing away, and turning back. As she limped over, she lowered her eyes, almost looking embarrassed. "I. . . kind of thought something would happen. That. . . I'd feel a warmth. . . and just not have nightmares anymore." She slowly raiseed her head, "I guess. . . that's what you meant before. About. . . just wanting to see tricks?"

As Aneira had spoke, Lichthia reached over to take her staff. "S'right," she affirmed nodding at the albino's observation. "S'exactly right." She leaned forward. "I do not wish to boast. . ." she said softly, "but I've seen deeper into the nature of fear than most, and it has no hold over me." She lifted her head to look into Aneira's red eyes. "A wolf, perhaps, could break my body, could kill me," she said in a hushed voice. "But one thing a wolf could never do. . . . is scare me."

The albino slowed her limping, and stood there (a little awkwardly), watching the shorter doe. She began to look over the stick in her paws, having not paid it much mind before. It was a bit strange, she considered. The witch wasn't old, frail, or even injured, why did she need to carry a stick around?

When the witch's gaze refocused, the doe stared back . . slowly turning her head. 'Deeper into the nature of fear?' She blink, thinking over those words. Aneira, as most mice of her colony, tended to speak more plainly. The way the witch spoke. . . how she painted her words, it wasn't something she was used to. Still, she made effort, leaning in, ears turned forward. "That. . . a wolf. . . wouldn't scare you? . . ." Her head straightened. "You don't get afraid? Of. . . anything?"

Lichthia lifted her nose at that, as though giving the matter thought. "Only time I get scared anymore. . . " she'd answer, ". . . s'when I get scared for someone else." A memory flashed through the mouse's mind, a memory of racing through the dirt following the missing rabbit's footprints. She lowered her head to look at Aneira. "And even then, it does not rule me." Pushing at her staff, she straightened. "Last night, I single handedly defeated five rats." She smiled slightly. "But I only actually had t'fight one." Smiling wider, she shook her head, "And that's cause they were afraid of me, and I wasn't at all afraid of them. And they could see that." Nodding her head, she finished, "There's more strength that comes out of learnin t'see through fear than one might expect."

The doe continued to listen, attentive. Strangely, hearing that the witch got scared for others, felt assuring to her. To worry for another, it helped confirm that Lichthia wasn't some scary evil witch. It could be a trick, but she doubted that. Lichthia seemed perfectly friendly and kind: She was just. . . different, a witch.

Aneira shook her head, trying to focus. She was curious, and wanted to know more.. The doe had nearly forgotten, or at least, couldn't remember much of what had happened that night. All she remembered were the rats muttering to themselves, then one rat (the guard that had watched her) coming up and falling over. . . the rest picking him up and walking off. This mouse really did stop five rats, and she wasn't afraid of them. . . even though she could still die? Those red eyes blinked, impressed, mulling over those final words. "I. . . see. I think. . . I understand how that would help. . ." Though still, she sounded uncertain. "But why were the others afraid? Was that. . . some sort of magic? And. . . the one that fell over?" The albino slowly lowered herself down, careful to not put pressure on her leg. When she took her seat, her muzzle lifted. "What did you do to him?"

Lichthia let go the staff for a moment, helping the other mouse down if she needed. The question seemed to amuse and she gave a short laugh. "I hit him," she answered. "With this!" she took her staff again, this time lowering it down to where the other mouse could touch it. "See s'very solid. S'not even wood, s'more like. . . .wood that's stone." The witch's furled brow would indicate she didn't herself entirely understand its nature.

The young doe's head tilted at the laughter, before raising her eyes. "O-oh. . ."

The witch actually hit the guard rat. . . with a stick? She expected something less direct, a hex of some sort. Maybe the stick itself was magic? Aneira stretched out, and ran her paw along the surface. It certainly didn't *feel* like a normal piece of wood. It felt like. . . a rock. Magic or no, the little mouse gave a tiny smirk. It must have really hurt, to have been struck by that.

"As for why they were scared," Lichthia continued, a small smile forming on her face. "That's Tarik's doin." She looked up at the doe. "He's been spreadin rumors on m'behalf."

Aneira raised her head, a paw still resting lightly against the staff. She blinked some, considering. "Oh. . ." she repeated. "I. . . I think I heard you. . . talking about that." The doe frowned, looking off. "Your servant. . . Tarik. He really lives with the others?" If he did, the gray rat was likely in the rat's nest when she was: The thought made her a little sick.

"Servant?" the word obviously caught the shorter mouse by surprise. She shook her head at that. "Tarik's not my m'servant, he is m'friend!" She leaned against her staff. "And yes he lives with the others. They are his kin, after all. But like I said, he's kind hearted. He doesn't hurt mice."

The albino appearedr equally surprised. "R-really?" She shook her head as well. "I. . . had asked him, and he said yes." She frowned lightly. Every step she came to figuring things out, just brought her another step closer to her being tangled up in confusion. . . constricted even.

"He did?" The shorter mouse furrowed her brow. After a moment of thought, she answered, "He might not have wanted t'scare you, specially after you just woke up and were confused." She considered the matter. "And in a sense I suppose what he said is true. He was an outcast when I first met him. And I arguably saved his life, and helped him to get back home." A smile formed on her face. She looked down at the albino and added, "Which funnily enough, is what I'm tryin t'do for you!"

The albino gave a slow nod, looking to be in thought. "M-maybe. . ." she agreed in a soft murmur. She lean forward as the witch continued, her wide pink ears twitching. The rat's outcasted him? She. . . 'arguably saved' him? None of this truly made sense to the tall young doe, but she wouldn't question it. Not yet, at least.

The shorter mouse grinned. "So Tarik feels himself in m'debt, and he is doin things t'help me in return, so I s'pose he might consider himself sort of a servant." She paused.. "I s'pose for I got t'know him, I might have thought that way too, but that was awhile ago. I definitely consider him a very close friend."

Aneria blinked at that. After all those days in that horrible rat's nest, she had been convinced that rats were all soulless monsters. It was more believable that the witch had forced the rat to be her slave, than the rat just. . . wanting to show his gratitude. Maybe. . . rats really did have souls? Somehow that thought upset her. At least most were evil, the mouse considered. "I. . . I see. . ." she replied, her tone suggesting uncertainty. "He. . . did seem. . ." Her eyes looked off, "nice. . ." Her mouth grew dry, and she forced a swallow. "It's just. . . he. . . was. . ." As her words trailed, that soft red gaze would drift back. "He was there. . . when I. . . the others. . ." She sighed, ears drooping as she thought. It was an unpleasant reminder, and it made her feel the grey buck was just as guilty as the rest for not lifting a paw for those suffering then. . . and those suffering now.

Lichthia put a paw on the albino's shoulder. She could certainly sympathize with her. Back when she was a colony mouse, rats were among the most despised of preds. Meeting the wounded doe had reminded her why. "They're his family," she said softly. "Y'can't help but love y'family, even if y'think they doin somethin wrong."

The albino sighed, head lowered. It was difficult for her to think about these things, even if her torture was in the past. . . there were probably others suffering even now. She turned an ear as Lichthia spoke, but didn't respond. She didn't know how to explain what she felt, she didn't even understand herself.

Lichthia smiled, a paw on the taller doe's shoulder. "I got one more thing I wan'cha t'do," she said, nodding in the direction of the snake skin. "Then I'm gonna tend more t'y'wounds."

Aneira's thoughts slowed, the doe lifting her head at welcomed direction: At least, she hoped it would be welcomed. Eying that snake skin, she wasn't so sure. Looking back, she turned her muzzle. What was the witch going to do make her do now, she wondered. The first task was bad enough: At least, it felt that way at first. Maybe this one would be even worse?

"What? . . ." she'd question, her tone uncertain. . . and curious.

Lichthia's voice was simultaneously soft and gentle, yet firm, as she looked the doe in the eye. "I wancha t'crush it."

Those red eyes blinked, and the muzzle turned once more. "Crush it? . . ." She'd shake her head. That didn't make any sense. "Why? . . ." She'd pause for a moment and considered. "Don't you still need it. . . to scare things?"

Lichthia shook her head slowly. "Ts'old, and fallin' apart," she answered. "I'd get rid of it m'self, but I'm glad if it can perform one last service for me." She gestured at the skin. "Crush it til there's nothin left."

The albino looked back, eying that flaky old husk. It seemed so terrifying when she first noticed it, something out of her nightmares. Now though, she knew it wasn't a danger. It was a little unsettling perhaps, but. . . it couldn't hurt her. It wasn't real. It was only something that remained of what is real. The mouse sighed. The witch's test really did relate to what she was experiencing.

"Alright. . ." Aneira gave a short nod, and forced herself up. She still stumbled, though lightly this time, compensating better with her limp. She put herself just before the shell, starring it over. Briefly, she wondered if this time something would happen. She doubted it of course, but in dealing with a witch, you couldn't be sure of anything. Maybe it would get mad at her for trying to get rid of it? Come alive and crush the life out of her? . . .

She swallowed then, clearly a little nervous. A paw-finger slowly reached out, and lightly pushed in at the nose. There was a slight *crunch* as the face pushed in on itself, giving an almost comedic look to what was once a terrible visage. The young doe smiled, and having confirmed the snake didn't seem to want to break her bones as penance, she proceeded to push in once more.

The head sooned caved in entirely, large piecing breaking off to the floor, that empty gaze falling lifelessly to the ground. The albino kept at it, unperturbed with the helpless skin she now took control over. Internally, she began to wish that this was the form of a rat.

She quickly her back paws into her destruction, (carefully) stomping over the form. *crunch* *crack* *crunch* *crunch* Strangely, she'd even make sure to apply contact with her bad leg.

Lichthia sat back silent, a smile on her face as she watched. Aniera didn't seem to need any encouragement, so she gave her none, but she was very pleased to see how she took on the task with gusto. Mice does weren't exactly known for their aggression, but they might need to let off steam like anyone else; this doe in particular had been through hell. Inwardly, she laughed at the idea of inviting the albino to join her in her morning sparring. Even If Tabatha had made it very clear that was forbidden, she couldn't imagine the doe going quite that far.

It wasn't long before the entire skin was rendered into tiny shreds, a small memory of what once was. She stood there over her victory, muzzle down as she studied the remains.

Lichthia grinned, reaching over to pick up an empty bag. "Very good, very good!" she squeaked. She thrust a paw into the pile of shreds, lifted it up, then turned her paw over slowly letting a fine stream of scales fall to the earth. "This is what scared you," she said softly. That done, she began scooping up scales and placing them in an empty bag. She smiled to herself, imagining Jaabir would be happy if he knew his shed skin had been used to help an emotionally scarred mouse.

Aneira studied the small scab-like crumbs as they drift to the ground. "Yeah. . ." she muttered, feeling just a little foolish. The fear she felt, the worry, the concern. . . none of it was truly necessary. She wasn't in danger, no matter how much her mind tried to convince her otherwise. There was no reason to be scared or upset.

She gave yet another sigh. Were her nightmares and memories of the rats really the same? "I guess. . . you're right. . ." she continued, reaching a paw down to help fill the bag. "I shouldn't. . . worry, about what I saw. . . and remember. It can't. . . hurt me." Her head shook, wondering herself just how true that was. There was nothing physical that could harm her about those memories. . . but they were still painful. "Maybe. . . I'll sleep better" she'd admit, "I just don't think I'll ever forget. . . what they've done." Her tone was sad, and notably bitter.

Lichthia nodded as she worked, not looking up. "Don't think y'wanna forget it," she answered. "Just don't wanna have it rule you. Y'gotta t'live, and a lot more t'do." She continue shovelling up the pieces.

Aneira offered a slow nod, eyes still to the ground. After a brief silence, the albino peered curiously at the bag as it filled. "Can you. . . do anything with these?" She suspected the witch might be gathering the pieces of skin for a reason.

Lichthia smiled and shook her head. "Nah, just cleanin em up," she answered. "Next time I go to the river, I'll spill 'em there where they won't be found. For I might've scattered 'em round the area to discourage any preds. . . .but there's a particular fox who knows some of m'tricks. If she came across him, she might realize I was nearby." The mouse sighed. "So, they're no good to me now."

"Oh. . ." she replied, not especially disappointed with the answer. She even stared for a time mention of the fox, though delayed in asking further. Lichthia certainly impressed her, but she wasn't anything like the witches she heard of. Most witches from the stories, would have used the snake scales for some sort of potion or spell. Given Lichthia didn't seem to do either, it wasn't too surprising she was just going to toss the scales out out. Still, the doe couldn't help but imagine Lichthia did magic of some sort. She had to, whether or not she referred to them as 'spells' or 'tricks'. It was possible Tarik was acting on his own. But she had an owl that was with her that night. . . an owl. She even survived an encounter with the troll (the giant rat who terrorizes her colony). Anddidn't Lichthia say she had 'lots of scary friends?' Maybe she really could control others, or at least, beasts. There was a witch Aneira heard of which could do similar after all. Though that was mostly with other mice, making them fall in love or despise each other with her spells.

The young doe seemed curious again, a little flicker of excitement in her soft red eyes. She waited until the bag was filled, before taking a seat. "Could. . . could you tell me about, your. . ." she looked off shyly, "um. . . other friends?"

Lichthia smiled at that, though not quite so wide at the other questions. She actually had been thinking she might put off this particular topic for the moment, and let Aneira get to know the normal side of her before finding about the other. She couldn't fault the albino for being curious though, given that was a trait of her own. How to approach this though? She nodded her head at the question, but took her time shoveling the last of the scales into the back and brushing her paws.

Aneira smile wide, proceeding to make herself more comfortable, as well as ridding some of the snake skin from her fur. It was such an amazing concept to her, that this mouse, that was so much like her, could control a owl! She didn't remember much that night, but the call she heard, it sounded really loud. She leaned forward, her eyes following the witch attentively.

Lichthia stood in thought a moment. "Lemme take care of y'scratch y'got there first," she answered softly, gesturing towards the wound "I been puttin it off f'too long." She pulled the bag of medicine's closer. "Did Rylar do that to you?"

The albino lowered her ears, having felt just a little over eager. "O-oh. . . alright." She glanced to the scratch along her shoulder, her fur still stained with blood, the open gash clearly visible. She raised a paw and brush it lightly, wincing as she made contact. She never truly noticed it before, having been too frightened to care. Even when she awoke here, it was the least of her concerns. "I. . ." she began to answer, looking off for a moment. "I'm not sure. . . who caused it. I think. . . it was the female rat that came for me last night, when she got me before the bird. I had struggled and she. . . slapped me." She stared for a long while. The memory was still fuzzy to her, so much had happened in that single night. Looking over, the cut seemed unnatural for a single swipe, too heavy and agitated. As she studied, her head would shake. "No. . . it was both." Aneria cringed at the thought. "She hit me first. . ." The doe's head lifted, voice lowering as she looked to Lichthia. "Rylar helped her."

Lichthia took Aniera's paw as she touched the wound, and draw it away, while taking her wrist and gently stretching her arm to examine it. She had frowned at Aniera's first words. A doe did this? She was prepared, eager to be angry at the black rat, but it seemed it went beyond that. "I forgot how much I hate rats," she muttered, examining the wound. "Other preds do what they must. But rats pred even when they don't have to. And they are cruel, even though they're prey themselves and so should know better." She sighed deeply and reached into her bag, pulling out an odd vial of liquid, and some cloths.

The expressed hatred for rats was not unnoticed by Aneira, and actually made her feel a little better. She blinked, however, at the comparison. Aneira wasn't too fond of other predators much either, but she hadn't experienced any torture from them directly, and so saw no reason not to trust the witch on it: She spoke to the beasts after all.

"Don't get me wrong, Tarik is a gem, and one of m'closest friends. He is proof they don't have t'be the way they are." She opened the odd bottle, and carefully wet an odd fluffy white ball. "But if I ever cross paths with that Rylar again, I do not expect I shall be so gentle."

Aneira nodded slow in reply, not disagreeing on the matter of Tarik. Still, she wondered if any other was truly capable of compassion. Maybe it was just the one? Struck too many times in those fights the guards were talking about? Even that seemed more believable than a rat that just happened to be kind: They were heartless monsters after all, at least, that's what she rather believe.

When Lichthia finished setting aside her 'potion', the albino would began to tense. "I wouldn't mind. . ." she mumbled. Still, she eyed that vile with concern, head drooping.

"W-what's that for? . . ."

Lichthia had smiled slightly at the muttered comment. She was sure Aniera was a gentle creature, just like she herself had once been, but one could only take so much abuse without wishing it in return. Eyes focussed on the vile as she took care not to waste of her precious medicine, she'd answer the question, "I need to wash and bandage y'wound, and I don't want t'hurtcha." She carefully stopped the vial and put it away, then picked up the cotton ball. "This'll make y'feel numb, and it'll take away any pain while I work." She looked over at Aniera and smiled. "Might make y'feel sleepy, but that's ok, y'need t'rest." She took hold of the cotton ball.. "It'll work n' a little while, and I promise it'll d'you know harm. Now I wancha t'open your mouth and hold it. . . don't swallow it or nothin, just hold it still."

The younger doe had begun to focus her eyes away from the vile. . . and instead to the little ball of fluff, head tilting nervously. Should she trust the witch? Take the potion from her and hope nothing bad happened? She sighed long, ears drooped. Lichthia hadn't done anything that made the albino question her motives directly, not to her at least. She didn't kill the troll when she had a chance, but she didn't seem to like rats either. There just didn't seem like a reason not to believe her. Not to mention if the witch really wanted to do harm, there was nothing stopping her from just using her staff, and knocking her out the same way she did Rylar.

"It won't do anything else? . . ." she muttered in caution, inspecting the cotton with a sniff. She got a big whiff and grimaced, hacking as she turned her head. It certainly didn't smell like something she wanted to put in her mouth. Somehow though, that wouldn't increase suspicion. She didn't expect a witch's potion to smell the least bit appealing to begin with. Even the plants the colony used on the injured, gave a foul odor. Begrudgingly she turned her head back. . . mouth slowly raising to accept.

Clamping down, she scrunched up her face, looking as if she just bit into rotten lemon. Still she didn't spit out, however strong the urge was. After a few seconds the taste became a little more bearable, and the doe looked on, uncertain.

"Now I know it doesn't taste good, but I just wancha to hold it," Lichthia said smiling. Aneira's reaction reminding her of how much Jaabir didn't like it. "If I do anything that hurts, even a little, just let out a squeak, and I'll know t'stop," She continued, wetting a cloth and examining the doe's arm. "Jus look away. I'll chat with you, t'keep you company, but don't answer back, I don't wancha t'drop the cotton, so just listen."

Aneira gave a muffled, indiscernible grunt, soon quieting at the warning. She opted instead for a short nod. As she listened, her body tingled lightly, but she didn't feel different otherwise. Was it working yet, she wondered.

As Lichthia spoke, she examined the other doe's arm. It wasn't as bad as she remembered, but it still didn't look good. She knew from experience it took a little time for the medicine to work, and so she thought about what to say. Telling Aniera about her scary friends when she wasn't able to answer back didn't seem wise to her, how ever eager the albino was to hear it, and so she tried to think of something more calming, and her mind immediately turned to the very much missed rabbit.

"Oh I do wish Jack was here," she began softly. "He's the rabbit I told y'about. He's such a sweet fellow. Sweetest most gentle hearted fellow I know. Doesn't have a mean bone in his body." She sighed wistfully. "I live a very strange life, Aniera. I'm used to it now, but I don't know that its natural. Think I told'ja you are the first mouse I have talked to since I left m'old home. And that was back in the early spring."

Licthia dampened the cloth, and began rubbing Aniera's fur, washing around the wound at first, but watching for any reaction just in case she'd started to early. "I tried t'make other friends," she continued softly. "I talked to other rabbits, but they didn't want nothin t'do with me. They mostly ignored me, or they'd try to kick me if I got too persistent." She sighed again. "I can't blame 'em. That's the way we prey are, we look after our own. Don't think I'dve paid any attention to a rabbit who tried t'talk to me, back when I lived in a colony. S'only when y'all alone and y'have no friends, y'begin to heart a little to folk who aren't like you."

The doe listened quietly, ears turning, as her head looked away. She was thinking about the rabbit as the witch spoke of him. Aneira heard the witch mention him before, but given all the excitement, it was something she didn't really dwell on at the time; but it interested her now. She had seen rabbits before, but never up close.

Lichthia's came a little slower to the albino as Lichthia went on, that tingling growing a little stronger as her body went numb.

By now Lichthia was working on the wound itself, and Aniera didn't seem to mind. It didn't look quite as bad as the grime came off. She gave it a couple stitches to help it heal, but decided it would otherwise be alright. Of course she'd have a scar, but after what she'd been through, she was lucky get off so light.

"I only met him months after m'exile, I guess y'could say it was already after I'd started bein a witch." Lichthia smiled. "He was all alone, and without a home like me. . . . through no fault of his own. He was lonely for company, but I think he would have talked with me anyway. He's a very special fellow."

Aneira's eyes began to droop, the effects of the medicine taking its toll. While Jaabir didn't get too groggy when Lichthia gave him similar treatment, a mouse was much smaller than a snake.

There was a slow, long nod from the albino. She tried to listen, but it took effort to focus now. The doe was clearly 'awake'. . . but barely so.

Lichthia chuckled softly. She could see Aniera was looking bleary, but she didn't mind. She was trying to distract her and to comfort her as much as to inform her, while enjoying talking herself. "I can tell you, I seemed as odd to him as I imagine I seem to you. He was even frightened of me at first. Almost ran away. But he decided t'trust me in the end, and we became very good friends." She grinned. "Y'can see his fur all over this burrow, and he dug out the tunnels in the back..Even dug up m'staff." The wound was clean and disinfected now, and Lichthia picked up needle and suture. . .just a couple stitches, then bandage it up. "He was my only friend who's a prey til you came along. I mean. . . . Tarik's sort'a prey too, but rats are a special case, they're both pred and prey. But Jack's been m'only friend who's just a prey." She sighed. "S'very important to me. I've changed a lot, but I do not want to ever forget who I am. That despite everything I've seen, everything I've learned, underneath it all, m'still a mouse Still prey." She tied off the sutures, and looked over her handiwork. "Jack helps me t'remember that."

Aneira scarcely managed to take in the words. The doe had tried to look around as directed, at the mention of the rabbit's fur, but her muzzle just barely inched. She muttered very softly in reply, before both lids shut.

Lichthia reached over and picked up a bandage, wrapping up the doe's arm. "Ok, y'can spit that thing out of y'mouth now, it's done it's work." She grinned. "You'll feel numb maybe a lil odd for a while, but it'll wear off." She smiled over to the doe. "Y'scratch isn't too bad. It'll leave a scar, but it should heal just fine."

The drugged mouse's head bobbed lightly at the command, but otherwise be very quiet.. Given what had happened the night before, and even today, she was already drained, her body still very weak, tired; the medicine only furthered the need of rest. She was barely able to stay sitting upright as she drifted off, the ball of fluff still poked out from her mouth.

Lichthia folded the dirty cloths and sat them aside. Glancing back and seeing the cotton ball still sticking out of Aniera's cheeks, she smiled turning around. "Y'can spit that out now." She placed the cloths in a bag, then turned around, and tilted her head, seeing the cotton ball still in place.. "Aniera?" She reached over and gently plucked the cotton free. A little worried, she examined her, feeling the subtle warmth of the albino's breath against her whiskers. She eased her onto her back along the soft grass and fur. "Y'sleep well Aniera."

Lichthia curled up, her arms around the young doe. She wasn't sleepy herself, but it was difficult for a social rodent to sleep alone, and perhaps it would keep the nightmares away? And anyway,, it wasn't like Lichthia had anything else to do. And so she just laid there, eyes open, a blanket for the sleeping doe.