Toad blinked as his eyes slowly opened. He was in his nest, although something felt off. Memories of the previous night filled him, but he found himself unable to react to them. He looked down at his ankles. The thorny vines were still there, and had now sprouted roses. The vines had managed to creep all along his chest and shoulders, along his back and legs. There were even a few on his short, torn ears. They squeezed him tightly and dug into his fur, but he didn't mind. He felt strangely calm.
Toad rose to his paws and flicked his stub, exiting the den. He expected his camp mates to react to the vines and thorns, but they didn't seem to notice at all. Strange...
Toad looked around for Thrush and Horizon. He didn't see either of them in the hollow so he poked his head into Thrush's den. Sure enough, there she was, staring in shock at the wall. She, too, had vines all over her.
"What're you looking at?" Toad asked. His voice mirrored his emotions; strangely calm, especially after what had happened the previous night.
"Nothing, I just...I'm just...I'm not sure." Thrush meowed, trailing off several times. While what she said was panicked, she, too, sounded calm.
"Hmm." Toad flicked his stub. "I'm going to go speak with Horizon."
"Alright." Thrush's voice sounded distant as Toad exited the den. It was a strange thing to say, but he tried to feel confused and...he couldn't. All he could feel was that strange sense of calm, and...he quite enjoyed it, compared to the fear the night before. Toad poked his head into Horizon's den.
Horizon was up and grooming herself. There weren't as many vines on her as Toad or Thrush, but they were there.
"Hello." Toad meowed. Horizon jumped and spun. "You, uh...you frightened me, I think."
"'You think'?" Toad tilted his head.
Horizon shrugged. "I jumped, but I didn't feel frightened. I feel...calm. It's freaking me out, but it's also not because...well, you know."
"Really?" Toad blinked. "I like it, it's nice."
"I suppose." Horizon dipped her head. "Alright, it's about time to start our day anyways. Have you seen Thrush?"
"She's in her den." Toad mewed.
"I wonder what the Clan's going to say about these?" Horizon meowed, nudging the vines around her.
"I'm not sure if they can see them." Toad meowed honestly. "They haven't mentioned it at all."
"Huh. Strange." Horizon flicked her tail. "Alright."
