Blackfeather Woods addict with a pen

You'll throw up, she warns. If it means the burning stops, he's on board for that.

He nods his understanding but every movement of his neck seems to cause more irritation, and he's back to coughing again. Mou knows not to let the coughing take hold too soon or else he'll throw up the yarrow he's just swallowed. He swallows a few more times to make sure its down. Each attempt burns like the last, and he licks at his lips, his teeth, touches the roof of his mouth with his tongue, nothing seems to help.

When she asks him what it feels like — because it didn't stop just because he's eaten another plant — he wheezes and cannot make any words. He mouths, Hot. Burning swallow, fire in belly -- he has to try a few times to get that last word out, and once he mouths it cleanly he begins to duck his head like a mother bird about to serve dinner.

A small wave of bile collects at the back of his mouth, flowing along his gums. A convulsion takes over his stomach and his bobbing is more violent, this time ending with an abrupt wave of watery vomit. A few pieces of plant matter hit the dirt.