WC: 247
Zana's wide violet eyes seemed to fill with sadness or resentment at Coli's compliment, and her ears drooped, disappointed that she had failed again. She could not offer honeyed words nor a warm embrace; she could never be a mommy, could she? As much as she might want to, there was some basic component missing from her makeup; she could never truly be normal... "Is 'cute' a bad thing...? It should be nice," she murmured, unsure of where she went wrong. All puppies were cute, right? Did Zana wish to be beautiful instead? That would come with time.
"L-like hawthorn berries, winterberry hollies, juniper, yes," she rattled off, surprised but pleased that Zana's enthusiasm had not wavered. "Most red things should be avoided as a rule... It's a warning sign!" She brushed her mane from her eyes, peering up at the beachside cliffs. "Are there any plants up there, Zana? Is there a forest nearby, maybe?" She really did not know the area, and although it was dangerous to move around in what should be considered enemy territory, she could not help herself. The ribbon-tailed coyote pup had charmed her way into Coli's good graces, and the introverted girl wanted to return the gesture somehow. An idea forming, she leaned over to pick up a thin spar of driftwood, and used it to scratch a design into the sand. "This kind of leaf, an oak leaf, will make them sick. Have you seen this kind of tree?"
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