Razorback Ridge and how they hold you like a gun

back-dated a few days. (tags whole RE for reference lmao)

She couldn't breathe.

The botanist felt it creep over her before it struck - and it came in a gradual, worsening wave - but denied it. Watery pools of moonlit ivy remained fixed upon the path as if it were her lifeline. Though her legs trembled vaguely and her paws slowly numbed, she kept walking. Her breath grew shallow and ragged but her lungs heaved; her stomach churned but she stayed upright. Her head buzzed but she kept going. 

Until her vision pinholed and went dark, when her legs turned to lead. Until there was no air to breathe and the hum turned to a roar. 

She couldn't keep @Reiko safe out here, nor was she likely to see her again. Neither would she ever see the royal children again - she would not see them grow, she would not get the chance to love them. They would not know her. 

She couldn't help @Cordelia out here. Or @Hiromi. Or @Vespera. She would not grow to know and adore @Kazuhiko or @Joheras or @Isadora. 

She wouldn't get to know @Ibis or serve her Queen. She could not train with @Yuudai or babysit with @Collision. 

She couldn't breathe.

The anxiety attack left as slowly as it had arrived, dwindling until she was left limp - curled against the stones where she'd lain down to bear through it. 

Slowly, the seelie blinked her pale eyes open - grimacing against the piercing light as she drug herself onto her elbows. Shakily, Awenfen pushed to her paws and began to plod onwards once more. 

The threat of Aliroth was always hanging, a guillotine blade that would fall if her withdrawal wasn't quick enough.