----------------------------------------------
WESTERN GATE - EARLY AFTERNOON
----------------------------------------------
Nesseth looks a bit more alert compared to whenever he's stationed at the Northern Gate, knowing that the Western Gate is generally a bit more active in comparison. Of course, zero times a number is still zero, which is to say that today's been rather dull so far.
Erika: [There is a rustling from nearby bushes, and a moderately big hoofer steps into view. The okapi looks wary, but curious, looking at Nesseth from the middle distance. While various grazers come pretty close to Respite, never quite this close and almost certainly not looking like they're trying to find a way in.]
Nesseth quickly shifts his focus over to the okapi as it steps into view. He doesn't really do much but stare at the creature, once he's certain it's not something dangerous. However, the proximity to the gate makes him tilt his head curiously.
Erika stops in her steps and tilts her head back at Nesseth.
Nesseth frowns a little as he continues to watch the okapi. From his experience as a hunter, he's never seen a wild prey creature this curious. He raises a hand and gives it a bit of a wave, to see if that'll make it run away.
Erika doesn't flinch at the wave, rather just takes a few more steps forward. As she moves, Nesseth is able to see the giraffe-like spots on the okapi's shoulders and neck. She steps closer again, definitely more curious than careful now.
Nesseth definitely has never seen any creature this willing to approach the gate this brazenly before. Curiosity gets the better of him, and he moves over to the side of the guard platform and jumps down to the ground below. As he lands, he turns to look at the okapi again, only now seeing the odd markings on it.
Erika stops a few steps from Nesseth, opening her mouth once or twice as though attempting to voice something, but it only comes out as a bit of a snort in the end.
Nesseth raises an eyebrow at the odd mouth motions the okapi is making. Feeling like a bit of a fool, and not knowing why he's doing it, he kneels down a bit and digs through one of the pockets on his satchel. He pulls out a little clump of what looks like berries and granola, mashed together, and offers the trail ration to the okapi.
Erika blinks, then steps over to pick at, then wholly eat the trail ration. "Mhanks~."
Nesseth chuckles a bit as the trail ration vanishes from his hand, only to blink and stare at the okapi upon hearing a rather familiar voice. In disbelief, he glances over his shoulder, almost hoping he spots Erika somewhere behind him playing some kind of ventriloquist prank, but he obviously doesn't see anything. Frowning, he turns to look at the okapi again. "E... Erika...?"
Erika nods, her mouth not really bending well to an actual smile and coming across as a weird grimace for an okapi. Frustrated, she scuffs at the dirt as she attempts to talk again: "Mm'is."
Nesseth examines Erika a bit, noting that as far as he can tell, she's just a bog-standard feral okapi with... giraffe patterning on her neck and shoulders. "...What in the world happened...?" He pauses, then shakes his head as he stands up, "Wait, no. I need to get you to Plume. Once you're better, you can tell me."
Erika nods slowly: "Ism. Um." She shakes her head, then just steps next to Nesseth, pointing her head towards the town. "H'ard talk. 'Nnoying."
Nesseth nods as he turns to lead the way to Plume's office. "I can imagine... come on." He pauses, "Actually... how fast are you like that? I could... I dunno, carry you to the clinic if it helps?"
Erika shakes her head, then looks at her hooves as she scuffs the ground: "Is'm fine. Can walk." She turns to look at the distance from which she has already made her way here, and like it or not with barely any effort once she got the four-legged gait down. "Jus' cn't talk." Her 'talking' seems like it takes a lot of effort to get words even remotely sounding right.
Nesseth nods again as he sets off down the street, leading the way at a decent pace for both of them. He's got a slightly hurried gait to his step, showing his worry for his friend. "Then, let's just get you to Plume. The sooner we get this fixed, the sooner you'll be able to talk."
Erika nods and starts following her friend, happy to at least be back in Respite. And really trying to not be as 'okay' with four hooves as her body seems to be without further instruction.
----------------------------------------------
TOWN CLINIC - EARLY AFTERNOON
----------------------------------------------
Doc Plume closes the door behind Widow Blackmane and heads back to their desk, still laughing internally from the horse's story about her grandchildren. They take a moment to straighten up the files on the desk before refilling the kettle and setting it to boil. They start humming a little tune to themself as they also open a tin of biscuits and extract a pair of lightly-sweetened disks from it, putting one of them directly into their beak.
Erika steps to the yard alongside Nesseth, but hesitates and turns to look at him. She takes a moment or two to get her mouth in a 'make words' order: "...can the' help? Yus?"
Nesseth shrugs as he strides forward with purpose, concern for his friend being strong enough to lend some speed to his stride. "Honestly, I'm not sure, but they're the most knowledgeable person I can think of." He comes to a stop at the door, knocks rather urgently, then opens it, "Plume? Got someone here to see you."
Doc Plume is just pouring tea when Nesseth opens the door. They quickly set the kettle and teacup down, quickly swallow the remains of the first biscuit, and rush over to the door. "Yes, of course, bring them in... is it urgent?"
Nesseth nods as he steps inside, holding the door open. "Kind of, I think. It's Erika. She's, uh..." He grimaces a bit as he looks towards the doorway.
Erika looks like a very skittish herbivore about to bolt for a moment (which really, she is), before steeling herself and stepping forward, hard hooves clicking against the floor. She lowers her head as she looks at Doc and swallows. "H-hi."
Doc Plume blinks. "E-erika?" They bends down a bit to look at the okapi. "How is this possible? I mean... physically it's not..."
Erika whimpers a bit and lowers her head further: "D'not know. Or, um..."
Nesseth shakes his head as he shuts the door behind Erika. "I don't know. She showed up at the western gate looking like that about five minutes ago. She can talk, but it's difficult."
Doc Plume stands up and frowns. "Right... well, let's get you on the table, Erika, see if there's any sign of what caused this..." They move over to the sink and wash their hands before flicking a heavy switch to turn on the bright light over the exam table.
Nesseth moves over to the table. "Here, Erika. I'll help you up."
Erika nods, then as she raises her head to look at the table, she steps to it... and hesitates. She looks at Nesseth, then nods. After a moment of less-than-elegant clambering by a big herbivore, she's on the table though her legs keep wanting to slip from under her.
Nesseth helps Erika up onto the table without too much apparent effort, and helps to keep her steady as she works to stay balanced. "Might be easier to sit down, honestly. The table's big enough."
Doc Plume steps up to the table and begins giving Erika a thorough physical exam. "Any pain anywhere?" They run their talons seemingly along every bone and muscle and tendon, feeling for any sign of... well, anything, really. "And any idea what would have caused this?"
Erika shifts about until she's sitting down, though her unfamiliarity with her joint arrangement is pretty obvious now that she's focusing on making them agree. She then lets Doc look at her, shaking her head at the question: "No pain, just... w'ird." She smacks her lips in frustration: "Cn't talk so well. And... m'not sure. I got ambushed by a bear."
Doc Plume steps back after examining Erika's forelegs and chest. "Bear? You seem uninjured, though..." They shake their head as they ponder this. "The cause must be metaphysical. It's certainly not any normal effect of disease or illness." They turn to look to Nesseth. "What's the name of that skunk who moved to town not long ago? She has skill with magic, doesn't she?"
Nesseth tilts his head. "The Skunk...? Uh... Elizabeth, I think. She's got a house a little ways out from the center of town. Best as I can tell, yes, she's a mage, and a decently powerful one at that."
Erika looks between the two: "Elis... beh. I met her. A bit grumpy. Tho... I dunno."
Doc Plume nods, pondering. "Well, I don't have much else to offer beyond finishing the physical exam to make sure there's no hidden injury. I'll talk with Elizabeth and see if there's anything about... transformation... in any of my books." They step back in to the table and begin moving down Erika's body, checking for any sign of injury. A few light scratches, but nothing serious, and all seemingly post-transformation.
Erika sighs, then nods. "T'hank you, Doc. I... got to figure something. I gotta..." She freezes: "Cavro."
Nesseth hums thoughtfully. "So... aside from the physical changes, and Erika having difficulty talking... do you think she could do her usual routine?"
Doc Plume frowns. "Well, with the trouble speaking, she probably should stay at her garden or with a caretaker..." They nod at the mention of Cavro. "With the generator project done, he should have time to watch her, if he agrees." They finish the exam and help Erika down off the table before turning off the harsh electric light.
Erika looks a bit down at the thought, but nods in the end: "Cavro... w-what d' I say?"
Nesseth nods as he helps Plume lower Erika down to the floor. "Should I go with you and talk with Cavro, Erika? ...Rather, do you want or need me to go along?"
Erika swallows, musing. After a moment of quiet, she looks at Nesseth: "I... need to do alone with him, I think. But..." She glances at the door: "...M'scared. I look... or am... like just prey. Am I safe?"
Doc Plume bends down and gives Erika a gentle hug. "It's all right. We'll help you through this. We can take you to Cavro, if you want."
Nesseth smiles at the okapi. "It's safe, but Plume and I can come along so no one bothers you. Honestly, you making it to town from wherever you were was probably a riskier journey than just going from here to Cavro's forge."
Erika leans into the hug with Plume with her neck. She looks at the two, nodding slowly: "Uh... please. It's safe, but..." She trails off, looking at the door and the proverbial dangers beyond.
Doc Plume thinks for a moment. "Would you feel safer if we brought Cavro to your garden?"
Erika hesitates, thinking: "Um... maybe. I don't know. But... alone with him better, I think."
Doc Plume nods. "We can leave you two there, then."
Nesseth nods. "Of course. Once you two meet up, we can head out again."
Doc Plume looks at Nesseth. "You take her to the garden, I'll fetch Cavro?"
Erika looks at the both, wanting to smile but her mouth doesn't quite want to bend that way. Instead, she just nods: "T-thank you. Much."
Doc Plume nods. "For all you've helped me, Erika, it's the least I can do..."
Nesseth hums as he meets Plume's look. "Sounds like a plan, yeah." He smiles a bit at Erika, "We're happy to help, Erika. Let's get you back home."
----------------------------------------------
ERIKA'S GARDEN - A BIT LATER
----------------------------------------------
Erika is laying down in the place where her and Cavro's picnic blanket usually is. She's more than a bit nervous, looking around at every twitch of a branch in the wind.
Nesseth sits on flat stump nearby, waiting for Cavro and Plume to arrive. He definitely seems to be appreciating how well Erika managed to pull off the "wild but orderly" feel for her garden, smiling a bit as he looks around at all the plants nearby.
Doc Plume walks with Cavro in silence. They told the badger the very basics of the situation, just enough to get him to come with them to the garden. "Right. She'll be waiting there with Nesseth."
Cavro keeps in step with Plume all the way to Erika's place, but he barely even notices that he's walking alone down the alley towards the familiar 'hidden' path. He had a ball of worry whirring in him, wondering why they had treated her here instead of at the clinic, how bad could things be? So minor that she didn't need the clinic? But then why send for the badger... So bad she couldn't move? He couldn't bear that thought, and Plume didn't sound as if she wasn't in immediate danger. He pushes the last fern out of his way as he emerges from beside Nesseth, looking from the lizard to around the small clearing, and directly to the resting okapi. A squeak gets caught in his throat in place of any words, as he just stops next to the lizard, shaking.
Nesseth raises a hand in greeting when Cavro pushes his way through the ferns and bushes into the garden. "Ah, there you are, Cavro. We brought Erika here because she said she'd feel a little more comfortable." He gets up and takes a moment to stretch, then steps over to Plume to give the two some space.
Erika looks at Cavro enter and her heart skips several steps as a volley of emotions go through her in an instant. She feels helpless, wanting to shrink down and charge at her lover at the same time. In the end she really does neither, just half-aloud mouthing '...Cavro...'
Doc Plume follows in behind Cavro after he takes the lead and then stands with Nesseth, just watching. "She's healthy, just... different."
Cavro shakes his head, his hands quaking. He could swear the okapi fifteen feet away from him had just tried to speak, but shock can do some odd things, he knows. He then lets out a half laugh, shaking his head again as he turns to Plume and Nesseth. "This is is is is is impossible... You you you're playing at some kind of of of joke, aren't you? Why?"
Erika shakes her head, then lowers it down, looking desperately at the badger: "N-no j-joke. Is me."
Doc Plume gives Cavro a solemn look and shakes their head. "Afraid not. She has the same birthmark and scars as Erika, so I have no reason to believe it's not her."
Nesseth sighs and shakes his head. "Much as I wish this was a joke, even if it's a cruel one, that's Erika. Neither of us are sure what's going on, but she's physically unharmed, at least."
Cavro hears the familiar voice from the okapi's direction, turning slowly back to her. "How... What did you you you do?" He carefully approaches Erika, tears starting to show. "What ha-ha-have... Why?"
Doc Plume notices the tears and nudges Nesseth, taking that as a sign to leave. They carefully exit, wishing there was more they could do to help.
Nesseth nods and turns to exit with Plume, doing his best to make a little noise as possible. He casts a glance over his shoulder as he goes, making a mental note to check in on both Erika and Cavro later on... probably after a day or two.
Erika shrinks further down, looking away: "I uh I... got careless. Got... ambushed. Had to spend a night in a cave hiding... t-turned like this when I got out."
Cavro reaches Erika, dropping to his knees next to her as she struggles to speak. "Oh no... You you you really are..." His tears flow freely as he leans against her, arms around the base of her neck in a tight hug.
Erika leans onto Cavro, letting out a small breath of relief. "Yes. Am... just... weird."
Cavro sighs into her fur, the breath rattling it's way up. "You you you've really done it this time... I..." He shakes his head, looking at her. "We we we will fix it, right? Plume has a a a plan, right?"
Erika swallows: "I... I hope. Don't know yet." She lets out a sniffy breath: "G-gotta f-find something."
Cavro leans away from her, sitting on the dirt. "I I I hope so... Erika... You can't stay like this... I I... I couldn't... We'll fix it... We'll fix you." He goes silent, sitting there with a blank stare as his tears continue to slowly fall.
Erika nods, lowering her head again: "We... s'thing." She swallows again, but finds no more words to say. She wants nothing more than to nuzzle her lover like she used to, but now it just feels wrong.
Cavro leans forward, setting his elbows on his knees and his face into his palms. After a few moments he gets up, hugging the okapi again. "I I I... I wont leave you like this... But I... I'm sorry, I need to to to let this settle..." He lets go of the hug, stepping back away from Erika. He wipes at the tears on his cheeks as he takes another step back.
Erika feels her heart break with each step Cavro takes away from her, but she forces herself to nod: "I... nnerstand. Is... much." There's not much conviction in her voice as she looks down.
Cavro sighs, shaking his head as he turns and retreats into the underbrush, emerging onto the street a few seconds later, where he leans against the side of Erika's house, trying to... do what? He doesn't know, everything is a blur. His heart demands he turn back around, but his brain only screams in confusion.
Erika looks at Cavro go, then turns upon herself, leaning her neck on her back. She's unable to even have the tears to shed as she closes her eyes, feeling her world collapsing on her. What now?