"I can talk to them," Daine says as the monkeys approach. The sense of off-ness intensifies as they begin to appear out of the jungle, putting her a little in mind of Yuri's bear-self. It's as if their wild magic has been tainted, somehow.
Tree-brothers, she calls out silently, frowning in concentration. They don't just feel wrong, they feel upset. What troubles you? Who did this?
One of the monkeys peers down at her, eyes narrowed. Like most creatures encountering her for the first time, he's surprised to hear her speak. Unlike most creatures, he doesn't seem pleased, and he shifts his weight anxiously from side to side. You are not our sister, he says. Leave our jungle.
I can help you, Daine insists. If you just let me look at you--
Leave! the first monkey repeats. For a moment, she thinks he sounds almost as desperate as Peeta. No help… you… no… he shuts his eyes and drops his head as if under some kind of assault. But it's not just him - something inside all of the monkeys is changing, as if someone somewhere has flicked a giant switch. Their illness is suddenly much, much worse. She can feel them tensing, ready to spring, as Leave our jungle! echoes all around her.
As the first monkey crouches, Daine lifts a hand. "NO!" she orders with her voice and her magic, taking a step back toward Peeta and reaching for him with her other hand. He was right. They need to go. The monkeys are obeying her for now, but it's clear that they're fighting the order, snarling and screeching and making brief, aborted charges before falling back.
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Tree-brothers, she calls out silently, frowning in concentration. They don't just feel wrong, they feel upset. What troubles you? Who did this?
One of the monkeys peers down at her, eyes narrowed. Like most creatures encountering her for the first time, he's surprised to hear her speak. Unlike most creatures, he doesn't seem pleased, and he shifts his weight anxiously from side to side. You are not our sister, he says. Leave our jungle.
I can help you, Daine insists. If you just let me look at you--
Leave! the first monkey repeats. For a moment, she thinks he sounds almost as desperate as Peeta. No help… you… no… he shuts his eyes and drops his head as if under some kind of assault. But it's not just him - something inside all of the monkeys is changing, as if someone somewhere has flicked a giant switch. Their illness is suddenly much, much worse. She can feel them tensing, ready to spring, as Leave our jungle! echoes all around her.
As the first monkey crouches, Daine lifts a hand. "NO!" she orders with her voice and her magic, taking a step back toward Peeta and reaching for him with her other hand. He was right. They need to go. The monkeys are obeying her for now, but it's clear that they're fighting the order, snarling and screeching and making brief, aborted charges before falling back.