Blackfeather Woods shorter of breath and one day closer to death

There was a call at the edge of the woods, and before she knew it, Blue had vanished inexplicably, taking wing from her shoulder and flying off into the trees. Maegi was bogged down in gathering herbs, so she didn't rush after him--not quite yet. They had guardians for a reason; someone would answer the howl, right? Blue was probably just curious.

But after a time, what could have been mere minutes or hours--she lost track, dealing with plants--Blue had still not returned. Constantly on-guard from all that had transpired over the past few days, she rose to her paws and began to head the direction the grackle had gone, bicolored eyes lifted to find him. Her brow was knitted in concern and some pain; the beginnings of a headache shimmered behind her vision, and--

Maegi careened right into the ghostly, gaunt form of @Mou, nearly knocking them both over in the process. She felt the familiar touch of talons on her shoulder and was relieved to know that Blue was safe. And with. . .with Mou?

"What's going on?" she asked, noting the troubled nature of it all--the call, the flight, his face. . .

mild PP hope it's okay