for you I am blinded.

I smiled at his touch. So much for being incognito. Eyes dashed to Mauja momentarily before replying back to my elephant. “Where's the fun in that?” I winked to him, enjoying the company of being with those I wasn’t afraid of offending. A gentle sigh was emitted in his general direction of pure content. Then, I heard the God of the Sun speak and a ripple of happiness waved over my chest. Thank the gods. It was about time. Finally, nothing would happen here. I glanced around the lands for a moment, taking in their beauty before offering a gentle bow toward the God of the Sun. Both, acknowledging his existence and thanking him for the kindness he showed toward these new creatures that had ventured into our lands.

Right when I was about to turn my head back to Tembovu, I caught a glimpse of Eden approaching. I sent a gentle nicker toward her direction. A simple hello to her. That is, until I noticed her appearance. She looked like hell had ripped open from her insides. Blackness oozing from her orifices. I tried to not let the concern wash over my face, but I had no luck with it. I wanted to keep my distance from her, best I could. However, I couldn’t keep from curiously gazing at her now and then with a slight hint of sadness that hit my heart. The illnesses that travelled around were growing darker and darker with each and every rift opening. I was thankful this one was different.

Again, my attention was caught as Ilios stumbled over to us, hacking and coughing all over. He too, showed a resemblance of the blackness that engulfed one’s insides. I began to grow slightly frightened for both myself and Temb. I hoped it wasn’t contagious. I smiled at him, half heartedly. Worried about his wellness as he slurred my name in a strange sort of twist of the words. I glanced over to Temb before taking a step away from him – reluctantly, but necessary. I smiled to the two and began to walk to the left of the crowd, still within a leg reach of the elephant I had stood beside.

“Care to join me and explore a little?” I questioned, gently and calmly. A slight twitch in my throat to cough began to grow and I thought perhaps it was due to the dryer air. However, with the strange feeling in my throat also grew with a strange hint of a runny nose. I sniffed to myself, unsure what exactly was going on. Perhaps I was allergic to something here. I had already completely forgotten about the illnesses I had seen Eden and Ilios succumb to as I began to step away. Unknowingly of the blackness that began to seep from my nose. A dark hint of color against my creamy maw. The same stark contrast that my face markings held, only this spot held a more sinister sight.

"Talk?"