Blackfeather Woods into the living sea of waking dreams,

Relmyna was kindness itself. Her eyes were a warm embrace, expression inviting Maegi into its graceful depths. For the first time in a long time, perhaps since her playtime with Cassiopeia, many moons ago, she felt mother love, and was intoxicated by it. Her heart swelling with an emotion Maegi couldn't quite place, she padded awkwardly to where Relmyna had gestured, and placed her smaller paw atop her stomach.

Movement. With a gasp, she pulled back, staring wide-eyed at the full, white curve, which seemed to. . .pulse slightly. Llike nothing she'd ever seen before. Relmyna herself smelled rich and musky, with an overtone of. . .

Sightless, soundless, clambering in the dark. Blindly yearning for sustenance.

A shudder rippled through her body, standing each one of her hairs on end. The taste of mother's milk, heavy on her tongue. So desperately needed, and so desperately hard to find. She placed her paw once more on Relmyna's stomach and felt the motion, rolling like ripples on the surface of the Glen's pond. And caught that scent again. . .

"I don't understand," Maegi whispered, looking up at Relmyna with something akin to fear in her eyes. "I--are you okay? You. . .you're different. You remind me of--"

Potema. The name hit her like a blow. She recoiled, blinking warily at the woman, waiting for her to explain in whatever way she could.